The Greatest Gorilla Trekking Guide to Virunga National Park for 2024
Located on the eastern border of the Congo bowl, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is perhaps one of the oldest national parks. Because of its environmental significance, the national park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. One of its attractions is the amazing gorilla trekking experience, which entails entering a tropical rainforest in search of mountain gorillas and spending an hour with them at home.
In addition to Virunga National Park, other parks that offer gorilla trekking include Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
There are about eight acclimated gorilla families in Virunga National Park, including the Kabirizi, Bageni, Mapuwa, Rugendo, Munyaga, Lulengo, Humba, and Nyakamwe families. These families are available for daily trekking.
The most important activity in Virunga National Park is gorilla trekking, which starts early in the morning with preparation regarding the rules and precautions to follow.
Following the preparation, you will be divided into groups of eight people, each of whom will receive a park guide who is well-versed in the gorilla trekking routes in the bush as well as an acclimated gorilla family to travel with.
Because gorillas prefer to roam from one location to another in search of food, gorilla trekking trips in Congo’s Virunga National Park can last anywhere from thirty minutes to six hours, depending on where the gorillas are found.
When the mountain gorillas are located, you will be allowed to spend an hour with them at home, learn about their habits and behaviors, observe them performing their daily activities, take pictures and videos to show people back home after the safari. During the trek, you will also want to see other wildlife species, primates, various bird species, plants, and more.
What is the price of Virunga National Park gorilla trekking permits?
If you are over 15, you can visit any adjusted gorilla family and spend an hour with the mountain gorillas with a gorilla trekking permit, which is a legal document. In Virunga National Park, gorilla trekking licenses cost $400 USD per person for visitors and new residents, and $200 USD per person for Congolese citizens.
The primary destination that provides fewer gorilla permits during the low or stormy season, which appeals to budget travelers, is Virunga National Park. In comparison to other gorilla objections such as Rwanda, where the license costs 1,500 USD per individual for all nationalities, and Uganda, where the grant costs 700 USD per individual for unfamiliar non-residents, Congo offers the least expensive gorilla trekking grant.
How can I reserve a permit to gorilla hike in Virunga National Park?
In Congo’s Virunga National Park, gorilla trekking permits can be directly reserved through the Virunga tourism industry office by contacting the park offices by phone or email to inquire about license accessibility.
You can also reserve gorilla trekking permits in Virunga National Park by contacting a reputable tour operator, such as Explore Rwanda Tours, and providing the date, month, and year you would want to see the mountain gorillas. After contacting us, we will verify if licenses are available, and if permits are available during your preferred dates, you will be contacted to arrange a grant installment. For your benefit, we will purchase the grant as soon as we have the funds.
The best option is to book your gorilla trekking permits with Explore Rwanda Tours, since we will not only arrange your license but also handle the rest of your safari, including transportation to the national park, lodging, and many activities to partake in after gorilla trekking.
When is the ideal time of year to visit Virunga National Park for a gorilla trekking safari?
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park is during the dry season, which spans the long months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. This is because there is less precipitation in the park during this time, making the gorilla trekking trails dry and bearable, which makes gorilla trekking easier.
Because the national park only gives 200 USD per person gorilla trekking permits throughout the long months of April to May and October to November, gorilla trekking trips in Virunga National Park should also be feasible during these low or blustery seasons.
The Greatest Gorilla Trekking Guide of 2024: How Can I Get to Virunga National Park?
Virunga National Park is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s northeastern province and is accessible by air and road transportation. To get there, fly into Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport and then drive past the Le Grande Barrier to Gisenyi Town. Another option is to fly into Goma International Airport and then enter Virunga National Park.
It also takes about five to six hours to drive from Bukavu in Congo to the park base camp in Virunga National Park.
Where to Stay in Virunga National Park: The Best Guide to Gorilla Trekking in 2024?
The Virunga National Park offers a number of lodging options for your gorilla trekking safari, including the Mikeno Hotel, Tchegera Island Camp, Kibumba Rose Camp, Bukima Rose Camp, and Lulimbi Rose Camp. These options range from budget-friendly to luxurious.
What should you bring on your Virunga National Park gorilla trekking safari?
For the gorilla trekking safari in Congo’s Virunga National Park, travelers should bring a number of items, such as long-sleeved clothing and pants, climbing boots, a raincoat or waterproof coat, a camera and extra batteries, energy bites and a drinking mug, a strolling stick, a few optics, a knapsack, a warm sweater, garden gloves, a cap, and sunglasses.
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