How do i Book Virunga National Park Gorilla Trekking Permits

Are you interested in Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park DR Congo and you are searching How do i Book Virunga National Park Gorilla Trekking Permits? Booking permits for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is very easy and this involves a few key steps.

Here’s a detailed guide about How do i Book Virunga National Park Gorilla Trekking Permits:

1. Choose Your Trekking Date:
   • Decide on the dates you plan to visit Virunga National Park. Gorilla trekking is popular, so it’s important to book well in advance.
2. Contact a DR Congo Tour Operator Eco Adventure Safaris:
   • You can book permits through authorized tour operators who offer comprehensive packages including permits, accommodation, and transport.
   • Look for reputable operators with good reviews to ensure a smooth experience.
3. Provide Necessary Information:
   • Fill in required personal information, including passport details. This information is necessary for permit processing.
4. Payment:
   • Make a payment for the permit. The cost for a gorilla trekking permit in Virunga National Park is generally around $400 USD, but prices may vary.
   • Payments can usually be made via credit card or other online payment methods.
5. Confirmation:
   • After payment, you will receive a confirmation email with your permit details. Keep this confirmation safe as you will need to present it upon arrival.
6. Additional Arrangements:
   • Consider booking accommodation and transport in advance. Virunga National Park offers various accommodation options ranging from budget to luxury.
   • It’s also advisable to arrange transportation to the park. The park offers shuttle services from Goma to the Bukima Ranger Post, the starting point for gorilla treks.

Important Considerations:

• Visa Requirements:
  • Ensure you have the appropriate visa for the DRC. The park can assist with a tourist visa, which is often required for entry.
• Health and Safety:
  • Get vaccinations and check health requirements for the DRC. Yellow fever vaccination is typically mandatory.
  • It’s also wise to purchase travel insurance that covers medical evacuation.
• Park Rules and Regulations:
  • Follow all park guidelines and respect the rules for gorilla trekking. This includes maintaining a safe distance from the gorillas and following the instructions of your guide.

By following these steps, you can secure your permit and enjoy a memorable gorilla trekking experience in Virunga National Park.

About Virunga National Park;

Virunga National Park is the only protected area on Earth that is home to three taxa of great apes: the mountain gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla, and the eastern chimpanzee. Through conservation efforts, Rangers and Park staff strive to support the growth of their populations, which are threatened by conflict, habitat loss, and poaching, and have wide-ranging ecological benefits for their habitats.

Mountain Gorillas

Conservation efforts have helped the rarest of Virunga’s three taxa of great ape to recover from IUCN’s critically endangered status, but there’s still work to do.

Eastern Lowland Gorillas

Just seven eastern lowland gorillas remain in Virunga. While more prevalent in other parts of the DRC, they are classified as critically endangered due to population decline.

Chimpanzees

The biggest threat to chimpanzees is human encroachment. Populations survive in isolated pockets across the Park, but efforts are underway to expand their savanna and forest habitats.

How much is gorilla trekking in DR Congo?

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 Virunga National Park 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. As Eco Adventure Safaris we do provide all-inclusive gorilla tour packages for all the visitors with no hidden costs. The most essential and priority cost is the gorilla permit price that you will incur to secure your trek in Virunga National Park. All our tour packages range from budget safaris to Luxury safaris and you can opt to do any as we tailor your trip together according to your interest. We do have Gorilla tour packages that start in Kigali for the DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali. For a 2day Trip from Kigali costs USD1100 per person in a group of two inclusive of Gorilla permits and as a budget option, transportation, accommodation, Meals, guide services are inclusive as well.

What is the best time to visit Congo for Gorilla Trekking?

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 (15^th March to 15^th May and 15^th October to 15^th December every year).

Where to stay 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.

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 border 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 Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo with Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing gorilla safari experiences to DR Congo. 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 How do i Book Virunga National Park Gorilla Trekking Permits.