Guide to Gorilla Trekking Trip in Virunga National Park

Witness the giant and majestic mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park within the jungles of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo while on a gorilla trekking trip, departing daily from Bukima Ranger Post. With 780000 hectares of mountainous rainforest and about 200-300 mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park is an ideal safari destination to get up-close with these impressive gentle giants in their natural habitat.

The beautiful Virunga National Park is the oldest and surprisingly most diverse Protected Area in the African Continent, set in the East of the country and shares its borders with Rwanda and Uganda. For every single day, about 64 gorilla permits are issued by Institut Congolais la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) for the 8 habituated gorilla groups in Virunga Park. Travelers should be expected to see Bageni, Humba, Kabirizi, Rugendo, Mapuwa, Lulengo, Nyakamwe and Lulengo

How Virunga National Park Gorilla Treks are done

Gorilla Trekking trips in Virunga National Park start with a briefing at Bukima Ranger, starting at 7:00 am then the allocation of 8 persons into any of the 8 gorilla groups, with an armed Ranger, experienced guide, and some instances porters (hired by visitors at an extra cost). These trips on a typical day within the Park last up to half a day through the dense jungle, steep slopes, and misty forest. With the physical demands of the activity, participants are required to possess basic to moderate fitness levels (through jogging, simple hikes, and walks) before even booking the adventure.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking permits for Virunga National Park

Permits for trekking mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park cost $400 per person per trek, for travelers that are above 15 years. This is way lower than the ones in Rwanda that cost $1500 per person as well as in Uganda that cost $700 per person per trek. This makes Virunga National Park the cheapest option for achieving the face-to-face encounter with the Gentle Giants in their natural habitats.

Bookings for Virunga gorilla permits are made directly from ICCN Head offices in Goma City or indirectly through licensed Tour Operators in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo.

When to undertake your gorilla trekking trips in Virunga National Park

Congo Gorilla trekking

Mountain gorillas can be watched all year round but the best time to trek these endangered gentle giants is December to February or June to September. During these months, the forest ground/floor is drier and more accessible for guided walks. Lower humidity levels, as well as moisture in the means, also means fewer mosquitoes are experienced in the jungles.

However, downpours don’t stop playing in the jungles of Virunga National, as it doesn’t rain all day and mountain gorillas have more food, which means they live closer to the forest boundary thus shorter treks. But remember that gorilla treks are done in the dense rainforest, thus not much difference even in the dry season because some drizzles are experienced.

Where to stay before/after gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park

The best places to lodge before or after gorilla trekking trips in Virunga National Park include Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Island Tented Camp, Kibumba Tented Camp, and Lulimbi Tented Camp among others.

Guidelines to be followed during gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park

Mountain gorillas are vulnerable creatures that share 98% DNA with humans, hence vulnerable to several human diseases, hence endangering their population. For this reason, a number of guidelines were drafted by concerned Conservation Agencies. These have to be followed at all times and they include;

• Visitors have to follow the lead of experienced Ranger guides while following forest trails, searching for mountain gorillas in the jungle.
• Keep voices low/or at the very minimum when trekking mountain gorillas to avoid scaring away other animals and birds in the forest.
• Littering the forest is totally prohibited to avoid choking animals and breeding diseases, which undermine conservation and sustainability efforts in the forest.
• One hour is the maximum time to be spent in the presence of mountain gorillas, each trekking day to reduce any possible behavioral changes or stress them as they go about their daily routines.
• Smoking, eating, and drinking in the presence of the gentle giants aren’t allowed to avoid any possible attacks from mountain gorillas.
• Visit the habituated gorilla family in groups of 8 persons each day to avoid crowding their home range and behavioral changes.

What you need to wear or carry for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park

When planning your gorilla trekking trip in Virunga National Park, remember that you will be hiking mountain slopes and walking through thick vegetation hence it is advisable to wear long, breathable, and comfortable convertible pants, long-sleeved shirts, carry a lightweight rain jacket, and warm sweater for cold mornings and evenings, wear sturdy hiking boots plus gaiters for maneuvering through the muddy and slippery slopes after heavy downpours, carry along a backpack for storing your gadgets, sunglasses, camera, sunglasses and other items needed during the treks.

How to get to Virunga National Park for gorilla trekking trips

After all, is said and done, we have to think of how to get to Virunga National Park for unforgettable gorilla trekking trips. Goma, the nearest Town to this Park is only one hour’s drive away and flights from all over the World bring in intending gorilla trekkers to Goma International Airport.

Visitors can start the journey from Kigali City/Airport to Virunga National Park via the Gisenyi-Goma border crossing, lasting 4-6 hours. Travelers can also connect from Uganda via the Bunagana border crossing in Kisoro.