Virunga National Park, Congo

Virunga National Park is the oldest National Park in Africa and has one of the most diverse tropical rain forests in Africa. The Park is home to endangered apes which include Mountain Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Golden Monkeys. Virunga National Park is one of the best places in the world to see Mountain Gorillas it is one of the three national parks that are found in the Virunga ranges, other national parks include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park found in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park found in Rwanda all these national parks are home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Other primates to see in Virunga National Park include Golden Monkeys, Chimpanzees and various species of monkeys.

How to organize and book a Safari Trip to Virunga National Park, Congo

When it comes to organizing and booking Safari Trip to Virunga National Park, Congo, look nowhere as Eco Adventure Safaris is your number one destination management outfit for you when it comes to booking gorilla trekking. Eco Adventure Safaris has its offices in Uganda that takes care of checking availability of all services including gorilla permits for Virunga National Park gorilla permits, accommodations as well as transport to and from either in Kigali or Uganda. Eco Adventure Safaris has a fleet of vehicles stations in Kigali and Uganda that will drive you to Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for gorilla trekking and then back for your international flight back home. All our Uganda and Kigali based vehicles are 4×4 Vans or Jeeps driven by well-trained safari driver guides knowledgeable in as far as Congo and Rwanda are concerned. They know all corners and routes to and from Kigali and you will feel safe and comfortable when you book a Safari Trip to Congo from Kigali with Eco Adventure Safaris.

CONGO GORILLA TOURS

• 2 Days Nyiragongo Volcano Hike
• 3 Days Gorilla Trekking in Congo
• 4 Days Nyiragongo and Gorilla Trekking in Congo
• 4 Days Gorilla and Chimpanzee Trekking in Congo
• 5 Days Nyiragongo Hike and Gorilla Trekking
• 6 Days Low Land and Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Congo
• 6 Days Gorilla Trekking and Nyiragongo Hike in Congo

DR Congo Visa and Work Permits Advice

All travelers need a visa to be allowed to enter the Democratic republic of Congo. Unlike Uganda and Kenya, where one can obtain a visa upon arrival, the Congo visa must be applied for in advance at the closest Consulate or Embassy. The Congo Visa for Single entry costs $ 100 Single entry (1 month validity visa), Single entry (2 months validity visa) $ 135 and Single entry (6 months validity visa) $400 you will need to apply for this Visa atleast 2 to 3 weeks in advance before your travel date as it cannot be gotten on arrival. You will not be allowed to enter DR Congo without a visa that was not processed in advance. You need an invitation letter as well as a yellow fever card. Please contact us for more details on how to secure the Visa for entry into DR Congo.

Is it safe to visit Virunga National Park?

Yes, it is safe to visit Virunga National Park. Generally, the Democratic Republic of Congo has for the past years been hit by various unprecedented disasters that are civil and rebel wars, Ebola disease among others which has stopped many from visiting DR Congo for safari. However, Congo is now getting back to better days and it is safe for safari and as a company we keep on monitoring the security situation time to time and we will always advise you before any safari starts.

How much does it cost to see Mountain Gorillas Virunga National Park, Congo?

Gorilla trekking is a daily activity done in Virunga National Park in Congo, the trek normally starts with briefing at 7:45am, then you are you will be allocated a gorilla for your trek that day and you will start the walk into the Virunga forest to find the gorillas once you find them you will spend one hour encounter with them, like other national parks for mountain gorilla trekking you will have a chance to take photographs, see other attractions like birds and primates depending on your luck, learn more about the mountain gorilla habitat and how they survive in Virunga National Park. 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.

How to Get Gorilla Trekking Permits for Virunga National Park, Congo

Once you contact us and confirm your trip with us by making Payment for the permits, we shall secure your permits Virunga National Park Congo headquarters and send you scan of the receipt to confirm your trek for your specified date in Virunga National Park. Once we confirm your permits, you will book your international flights, and then you can pay the balance for all your services.

Other safari activities to do in Congo.

Chimpanzee tracking and Habituation, Chimpanzee tracking and Chimpanzee habituation are the second most popular activities to do in Virunga National Park, chimpanzee tracking gives you a one hour encounter with the chimpanzees while chimpanzee habituation gives an entire day encounter with the chimpanzees, both treks begin in the morning hours where you will be joined by trackers and researchers to walk through the Virunga forest and search for chimpanzees you will have a chance to observe and discover their habits, feeding and natural behavior for those on the chimpanzee habituation treks will spend the day with them until they nest for the night. Same with the gorilla trekking permits for the chimpanzee tracking and habituation experiences you will still need to book your permit in advance in oder not to miss out atleast 3 months in advance.

Nature walks through the Virunga Forest, Virunga National Park is one of the oldest tropical rain forest in Africa with super dense vegetation, a nature walk through this forest on your DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali will give a chance to discover and see breathtaking beauty of the unique Virunga Landscape as well as learn about the various tree species, spot birds and if keen enough you will see some mammals and reptiles.

Nyiragongo Volcano Hike, Hiking the Nyiragongo Volcano is one of the once in a lifetime adventure one should do and this can as well be done in Virunga National Park on your DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali, the Nyiragongo Volcano one of the most active volcanoes in the world with an elevation of 3,470 m (11,380 ft), Not much is known about how long the volcano has been erupting, but since 1882, it has erupted at least 34 times and the most recent eruption happened in 2002.

Bird watching, Virunga Forest being one of the most diverse forest in the tropics it has various habitats and landscapes ranging from Forests, swamps to grasslands, these have thus attracted a vast number of bird species making the birding expedition one of the must do activity on your visit to virunga national park on your DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali. There are more than 706 recorded bird species that one on a birding safari will have a chance to spot and see. Contact us here and we will organize for you this safari accordingly.

Lowland Gorilla Trekking, Lowland Gorilla trekking is done in Kahuzi Beiga National Park and this activity is guaranteed when you acquire a permit, but kindly note given the park has 2 families open for trekking this makes the gorilla permits very competitive and scarce most especially during peak seasons of June, July, August, September, December and February. Sometimes gorilla tracking permits get sold out four months in advance so any traveler is recommended to book their gorilla permits 3-4 month in advance.

What is the best time to visit Virunga National Park, Congo for Gorilla Trekking?

Virunga National Park is located in the tropics and is majorly covered with tropical rain forest vegetation, with this they are prone to receiving uncertain rains any time of the day or week, however given They are tropical rain forests there are still good months to visit these parks that is dry season 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 abit 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.

Where to stay in Virunga National Park, Congo

Accommodations in Virunga National Park 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.

How to access Virunga National Park, Congo for gorilla trekking?

Virunga National Park is 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.

Best time to visit Virunga National Park, Congo

It is great that Congo offers normal and discounted gorilla trekking permits annually for mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, so it will depend on your budget to choose when to book a DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali, however given gorilla trekking in Cheaper the permits do sell out quickly in advance so it is better to book your trek 3 months in advance. There is therefore need to contact Eco Adventure Safaris early enough so that we check availability of gorilla permits in Virunga National Park, reserve them, pay for them so that we secure them for and on your behalf.

Why book your trip to Virunga National Park, Congo with Eco Adventure Safaris?

Eco Adventure Safaris provides unrivalled and professional tour and travel services in Uganda, Congo, Tanzania and Rwanda. Since then, Eco Adventure Safaris as established herself as one of the leading tour operator for Congo Tours. Eco Adventure Safaris boosts of a professional office and field team that takes care of all your requests and inquiries. We are full members of AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and work closely with Uganda Wildlife Authority. We are highly recommended on trip advisor as well as Safari bookings. Our website is one of the best and reliable point to help you start preparing for your DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali as we have the best and update information that you can rely on. Eco Adventure Safaris is owned and run by Ugandans and as such, you will be dealing with a team that sells what they know.