Are you looking forward to doing gorilla trekking safaris in Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo is the right destination to go gorilla trekking in the Jungle and save more as compared to other gorilla hosting destinations in Africa? Democratic Republic of Congo is listed among the major gorilla hosting destinations in Africa with both Low land and mountain gorillas in its top destinations, Democratic Republic of Congo is located in the Central part of the African Continent bordering South Sudan and Central African Republic in the North, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania in the East, Zambia in the South, and Congo Brazzaville in the West.
How best to reach DR Congo?
You can better reach Democratic Republic of Congo when you land in Rwanda at Kigali airport and cross borders because Congo’s air transport system are very poor to the extent of not working at all, therefore its better you land in Rwanda and our driver will be waiting for you to drive up to Goma border where you will cross from after clearing with the required offices and there after you will be transferred by the Virunga safari jeeps up to your required destinations, all these safari logistics will be arranged by Eco tours Rwanda. Put this in mind that you have to apply for a multiple visa which will allow you cross borders and it costs $100 USD per person.
Where to go for Gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo?
Democratic Republic of Congo is habituating two species of Gorillas in its top destinations named Mountain Gorillas which are found in Virunga National Park and Lowland Gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Below are the top destinations in Democratic Republic of Congo where you can find these mostly wanted attractions while in DR Congo.
Virunga National Park
This is the most popularly known destination to visit in Democratic Republic of Congo mainly for mountain gorillas; most of the visitors to Congo go with the interest of visiting this National Park because of its attractive primates in this diversity, Mountain Gorillas are herbivorous ground dwelling apes which are black in color and tailless. This park was formerly named Albert National park and it covers about 7,800Km2 that stretches from the Virunga Mountains in the south, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, bordering Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwenzori Mountains National Park & Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.
This park is ranked to be the first National Park in Africa and was established in 1925 primarily to protect the shy endangered mountain gorillas. Virunga National park is among the best sites in rewarding amazing gorilla trekking safaris where you visit these apes in the Jungle very excited to see them feeding, playing with their young ones, laughing plus taking photos of these apes for memories, you are issued a one hour permission to stay with these apes in the Jungle after descend back to the park offices in Bukima for Gorilla trekking certificate award, while in Virunga national park you can also visit the Senkenkwe Gorilla orphanage center mostly when you sleep at Mikeno Lodge where all orphaned & uncared gorillas are protected and provided care from.
Kahuzi Biega National Park
This is the second Gorilla hosting destination in Democratic Republic of Congo; it’s a protected area near Bukavu town in Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo and it’s also near the western bank of Lake Kivu & Rwanda border, it covers about 6000km2 of Area and rated to be one of the biggest National Parks in the country.
This park is commonly known for the Lowland Gorillas, these Lowland Gorillas are huge herbivorous ground dwelling apes which feed on stem, foliage, leaves and some fruits, they are brownish in color with black mouth and nose, tailless, they are very huge when compared to Mountain Gorillas, they always live in groups named “Troop” which comprises of both female and male members, these groups are always led by the male dominant Silver backs.
How do I save if I do a gorilla trekking Safari in Congo than Uganda & Rwanda?
This is very clear to visit Mountain Gorillas in the jungle you must buy a permit which issues you permission for the activity therefore, gorilla trekking permit in Democratic Republic of Congo costs $400 USD per person and that of Uganda and Rwanda costs $700 USD and $1500 USD per person respectively, when you compare the prices doing Gorilla trekking in Uganda you will save $200 USD if you change to Congo and that for Rwanda you save $1100 USD if you change to Congo.
After the Gorilla trekking excursion either in Virunga National Park or Kahuzi Biega National Park, a chimpanzee habituation Walk in Tongo forest is another activity to engage in as you spend your days in Democratic Republic of Congo.
