How many days do I need for a Safari in Kenya?
2 Days Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi from Mbarara
Are you planning a self-drive holiday in DR Congo that includes Gorilla trekking, Eco Adventure Safaris has a fleet of cars from where to choose from for Car Rental and Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo these include land cruisers, Toyota Rav4s, Buses and coats ready for you to hire. For travelling through rough terrains like in National Parks, we recommend Customized 4×4 Land Cruisers.
For now, the best and easy route area for self-drive and gorilla trekking in DR Congo is visit Kahuzi Biega National Park to trek the Eastern Lowland Gorillas, you will start the trip from Kigali and drive to Bukavu via the Ruzizi border.
Vehicles designed with safety, comfort and convenience in mind while on road
We focus on ensuring safe, comfortable and enjoyable travel of our clients to, within and from all tourism spots in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Democratic republic of Congo. To ensure ease of travel, all our safari vehicles are all in latest models mostly Land cruisers fit to maximize your safety despite Africa’s bumpy roads.
Safety on the road
To ensure your safety, all our safari vehicles are equipped with seat belts for all children and adults on board, fire extinguishers, comprehensive first aid kits, charging area, 2 way radios and cell phones to keep communications with your people.
Mechanically Superior Vehicles
For all days on your safari, you are assured of no car breakdown, if this happens we always have rescue cars available. Our mechanical team checks all safari vehicles from bonnet to boot, tire to roof top which keep them in mechanical good conditions throughout. Rescue vehicles and mechanics are also available 24 hours in case of any emergency.
Game Viewing and Photography
All vehicles are custom designed with pop-up roofs which ease your game viewing experience. The open roofs help you to see animals from a far distance as well as good photography.
Designed for Comfort and Convenience
All of our safari cruisers or safari Land rovers either have 5 seat or 7 seat configurations with enough leg rooms to cater for the single enthusiast right through to large family / travel groups. Everybody has access to the window for photographs and fresh air during the safari.
How much is Car Rental and Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo
Land cruiser – $350 per day.
Toyota Rav4 – $150 per day
Buses – $300 per day
Coasters – $400 per day
Gorilla trekking in DR Congo is done in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Beiga National Park, like gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, you will need a gorilla permit for you to be allowed to trek the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Eco Adventure Safaris provides relevant gorilla permit booking information for Congo to enable you plan your gorilla safari well. You don’t have to hassle booking your gorilla permit if you choose from our Congo gorilla tours. We will check for you availability of gorilla permits for your requested dates, book and purchase them for you once you have made payment and book all services on your behalf. Usually you have to obtain a gorilla permit several months in advance. We always advise at least 5 months in advance or prior to your visit given they are only 2 groups available for trek in Kahuzi Biega National park. While booking a gorilla tour, always pay your gorilla permit fee in advance to enable us acquire it for you. Lowland Gorilla trekking permit price in Congo Kahuzi Biega National park are as follows;
Non Residents-USD400
East African Residents-USD200
National Citizens of Congo-USD20
Gorilla trekking is a daily activity done in Congo, a gorilla permit costs USD400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then USD200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year.
Gorillas in DR Congo can be seen in Virunga National Park for mountain gorilla trekking or Kahuzi Beiga National Park for Low Land Gorilla trekking. You need a minimum of 3 Days to visit Gorillas in DR Congo, currently the safe place to see Gorillas in Congo is Kahuzi Biega National Park located in Bukavu Eastern part of DR Congo where you will see the Eastern Lowland Gorillas.
About Kahuzi Beiga National Park
Kahuzi Beiga National Park was created in 1970 and the first Lowland Gorilla trekking was done in 1973, when it come to Lowland gorilla trekking it ranks high, it was gazzeted to conserve the Grauer’s gorilla species the world’s largest gorilla species. The Eastern Lowland gorillas also known as Grauer’s gorillas is the largest of the largest of the four gorilla subspecies, trekking Eastern Lowland gorillas is done in Kahuzi Biega National park located in Congo 30kms from Bukavu town the can be accessed by road and air. The park was gazetted in 1970 and the first lowland gorilla trekking was done in 1973, this type of trekking is only done here and this makes the park rank high when it comes to the lowland gorilla trekking. The Park has 12 gorilla families and out of these only 2 gorilla families are habituated and they are open for visitors to trek. The families are called Chimanuka and Mugaruka both named after a dominant silver back, Chimanuka is famous for many visitors given it consist of one of the largest gorilla family in the world with over 36 gorilla individuals.
About Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is one of the most diverse tropical rain forest and oldest national park in Africa mostly famous for mountain gorilla trekking in DR Congo, among other activities done here include Nyirangongo volcano hike, bird watching, Nature walks, Chimpanzee tracking and Habituation. It should be noted that there three countries that have mountain gorillas in the whole world. These countries include Uganda, Democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda. Rwanda mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park, Uganda gorillas are found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park while Congo mountain gorillas are located in Virunga National Park. All these national park are close to each other in what is termed as the virunga massif.
What is the best time visiting Congo?
Congo is located in the tropics and with this it experiences tropical climate and weather throughout the year, both Virunga and Kahuzi Beiga National Parks experience the same weather, with this both national Parks are prone to receiving uncertain rains any time of the day or week, good months to visit Congo for gorilla trekking are dry season months which occurs in the months of December, January, February, June, July, August and September during these months it always easy to walk through the trails which are drier compared to the wet months then as well the vegetations is not fully grown and this makes sighting of gorillas easy and more clear. Other months which are slightly wet that is March, April, May, October and November most travelers avoid visiting gorillas during these months because the vegetation is fully grown and trails are much slippery making the trekking much harder.
For tourists interested in visiting Congo for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park have a special gorilla trekking offer during the wet season that is low season, during this time the gorilla permit costs USD200 per person per trek during the months from Mid-March to May and Mid-October to Mid-December (15th March to 15th May and 15th October to 15th December every year).
Where to stay in Congo for Gorilla trekking
Accommodations in Virunga National Park.
This ranges from budget, mid-range to luxury. Budget options include Bukima Tented Camp and Kibumba Tented Camp among others fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Tchegera Island Camp and Lulimbi Tented Camp among others fares range from 100-200 dollars a night per person and then Luxury options include Mikeno Lodge fares range from 200-400 dollars a night per person. You let us know the best option that works for you and we will for availability and book you according.
Accommodation in Kahuzi Beiga National Park.
This ranges from budget, mid-range to luxury. Budget options include Hotel Begonias Bukavu, Exodus bukavu, Lake Side Hotel Bukavu among others fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Coco Lodge Bukavu among others fares range from 100-200 dollars a night per person and then Luxury options include L’Orchids Safari Club fares range from 200-400 dollars a night per person. You let us know the best option that works for you and we will for availability and book you according.
How to access Congo for gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in Kahuzi Beiga National Park and Virunga National Park which are both located in the Eastern Part of Congo. You will fly to Kigali International Airport then connect to Gisenyi town; from Gisenyi town you will cross the Rwanda-Congo boarder to Goma town in DR Congo then drive towards the park headquarters of Kahuzi Beiga National Park and Virunga National Park from where you will do start the gorilla trek from, it is approximately a 2 hours drive from Gisenyi town to reach the park headquarters.
Why book Car Rental and Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo Through Eco Adventure Safaris
Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing gorilla safari experiences to Uganda and Rwanda. We are also highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris that help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife and uplift local communities, these include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris and game viewing, Mountain Hiking, Boat cruises excursions and Cultural encounters to give you a memorable and best African Safari experience including popular and great African safari destinations Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. Feel free to contact us about Car Rental and Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo.