Congo gorilla safaris and tours introduce tourists to the country’s 2 distinct destinations to enjoy gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking in Congo is done in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park, each park offering you a great opportunity to encounter a group of distinct gorillas.

In the Virunga National Park Congo, tourists get a chance to embark on a gorilla trekking adventure to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. The UNESCO World Heritage Site lies on the Eastern side of D.R. Congo and forms part of the Virunga Conservation Area (VCA).

Virunga National Park

Located in the Eastern part of D.R. Congo, the Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest wildlife safari park, founded in 1925. Virunga was originally established as Albert National Park till 1969 when its name was changed to presently Virunga National Park. Virunga National Park in Congo occupies over 7800sq.kms offering refuge to a section of the chain Virunga Volcanoes, several mammal species, reptiles, and bird species.

Mountain gorillas are without doubt Virunga National Park’s prime attractions and there are 8 habituated gorilla families already open for gorilla trekking. Virunga was designated a UNESCO Site in 1979 due to its ecological significance. Virunga National Park is an amazing destination to explore impressive species of wildlife including 22 primate species, 65 species of amphibians, 706 species of birds, 109 reptiles.

Virunga National Park

Virunga’s mammal species of interest to see while on Congo safari include buffaloes, hippos, blue duikers, lions, elephants, Kobs, topis, giant forest hogs, aardvark, bushbucks, okapis, warthogs, red river hogs, bay duikers, and others. Other amazing primates worth keeping an eye on while on Congo safari in Virunga National Park include the olive baboons, Dents Mona monkeys, golden monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, red colobus monkeys, and black and white colobus monkeys.

Activities to do

Besides mountain gorilla trekking, Virunga National Park offers other exciting activities for tourists to engage in. They include chimpanzee habituation, guided nature walks, Nyiragongo hiking, birding, and others. The birds of interest at Virunga National Park include narrow-tailed starlings, Madagascar bee-eaters, Ruwenzori turaco, grey-throated barbet, fish eagles, and others.

Accommodation

There are different accommodation alternatives for everyone on safari in Virunga National Park to spend a night. They range from budget, and mid-range to luxury options with the most popular lodges including Kibumba Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Island Camp, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is set in the Eastern part of D.R. Congo just nearer to Bukavu Town along the Western bank of the Lake Kivu and Rwanda border. This Congo safari park was established in 1970 and derives its name from 2 dormant volcanoes of Mount Kahuzi that rise up to 3308m and Mount Biega 2790m. Kahuzi-Biega National Park sits on an extensive 6000sq.kms of land area and it is remarkably one place where Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking is done.

In 1980, Kahuzi-Biega National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site considering its distinct biodiversity characterized by lush rainforest and particularly, sheltering the Eastern Lowland gorillas. The park’s primary vegetation zones include swamp forests, bogs, bamboo, subalpine heather, montane forests, and others.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park protects up to 136 species of mammals including several Eastern Lowland gorillas. There are also over 350 bird species including 42 endemic species, and 13 primate species. The other significant mammal species that thrive within Kahuzi-Biega National Park include buffaloes, elephants, and more.

Main activities to do in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

• Lowland gorilla trekking

Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking is, without doubt, the main highlight of all safaris in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. About 5 gorilla families have been habituated for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega including Chimanuka, Mugahuka, Bonnani, Nganwa gorilla group families, and others. A complete trek to see the lowland gorillas of Kahuzi-Biega takes from 1 hour to 6 hours and this is inclusive of one hour with them face to face. Kahuzi-Biega National Park like Virunga National Park is an affordable gorilla trekking destination with gorilla permits issued out at USD450 per person per trek.

• Birding

Birds in Virunga National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is home to 450 species of birds making it a special birding destination of its own. The birds of interest for birders on Congo safaris include the Grauer’s broadbill, yellow-crested helmet shrike, African broadbill, Rwenzori turacos, and others.

• Volcano hiking

Volcano hiking in Kahuzi-Biega NP is best done on the two dormant volcanoes- Mount Kahuzi (3308m) and Biega (2790m). Hiking Mount Kahuzi takes about 3 to 4 hours and Biega, hikes can take approximately 3 hours.

• Climate

Other than unique gorilla species, Congo is also known for its distinct weather and climatic conditions. It is situated astride the Equator, experiencing the most favorable conditions that make it an all-year-round travel destination. There are 2 rainy seasons and 2 drier seasons that D.R. Congo enjoys- the dry season starting from June, July, August to September, and December, January to February.

Packing list for an African safari 2022

Valid documents

Like traveling to other countries in the world, most Sub-Saharan African states also require tourists on African safaris to have valid passports. The passports should be at least 6 months beyond the travel dates of a visitor in Africa. Other than passports, other essential documents worth obtaining or carrying for your African safari include a yellow fever certificate, COVID-19 vaccination certificates, e-tickets, travel insurance, and travel plan. Visas are among other essential documents visitors on an African safari should pay close attention to. Visas are needed because they are required if you are to have entry to most of the countries in Africa.

Cash

Most of the African countries have not transitioned from cash to modern technologies and most of the transactions are carried out using cash. While in the bush enjoying a wildlife safari in Africa, credit card machines are nowhere to be seen. ATMs are available in urban centers and to ease your transaction while in the destination you must exchange your dollars, pounds, and sterling for local currency. This can help you in case you want to purchase some small items such as drinks, toiletries, and others.

What to carry for 2 weeks African safari?

The main reason why most visitors travel to Africa is to enjoy game viewing or game drive/wildlife viewing and the popular destinations for game safaris include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, and South Sudan among others. You immerse yourself into the wild to see a diversity of wildlife and this is what differentiates a typical African safari from the normal tours in other destinations. If you plan to undertake a 2-week wildlife or gorilla safari holiday in Africa, then the following items must be carried; insect repellent preferably DEET, 3 layering tanks/t-shirt, a duffel/soft-sided bag, a light scarf, a utility jacket, 1 to 2 long-sleeved shirts, 2 pairs of pants, toiletries, sunscreen, moisturizer, wide brim hat, first aid kit, USB flash drive, waterproof dry bag, good hiking shoes, and others.

Luggage & other essentials

When packing, be mindful of the weight as some destinations are strict on it especially if you plan to undertake bush flight safaris in places such as Masai Mara National Reserve or Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. Most small planes require a specific weight size for example SafariLink or AirKenya are strict on weight to carry but they charge a small fee. We advise our clients to carry soft-sided luggage which makes it easier to be put in compartments.

Bric’s X-bag 22 folding duffel

This is essential for tourists who plan to embark on an African safari in the Masai Mara National Reserve. This is waterproof, sturdy, and classy. You can easily fold it down into a small zippered pouch making it easier to pack. If you heading to Tanzania or Kenya for an African safari holiday, try as much as you can to avoid plastic bags.

African safari clothing

Clothes should be left out on your packing list for an African safari. When choosing the attire to put on an African safari, you must be mindful of African culture- dress decently in a manner that doesn’t affect people’s culture. Respect for African culture is key. When packing be mindful of the weight airlines require and often, luggage of 15-30kgs is allowed while some aircraft only accept luggage of 12-15kgs. There are also laundry services offered at most lodges or hotels in most of the African safari destinations but at visitors’ cost. This means you don’t need to worry in case you want to change clothes any day. The preferred clothing for an African safari holiday includes long pants and long-sleeved shirts- these are essential in protecting you from insect bites or scratches while on walking safaris. Avoid shorts or skirts if you are heading for an African holiday- they are only good for game drives. When choosing clothes, avoid bright colors and find those that blend with the environment.

Safari footwear

There are many ways of exploring Africa- tourists can engage in walking safari or guided game viewing. If you are heading for walking, hiking, gorilla trekking or chimpanzee tracking, then we recommend sturdy hiking boots that should be waterproof.

Safari hat

Find a good safari hat that is wide enough to protect you from scorching sunshine while you enjoy your African safari. It should be covering your face and neck. You may also need swimsuits, and casual clothes, especially for tourists who plan to spend a night in luxury accommodation facilities with swimming pools.

Prescribed medicines/medical kit

Carry prescribed medication on your African safari just in case of any emergency. You need anti-malaria medicine, anti-diarrhea, and others. The medical kit or first aid kit always contains a variety of these plus bandages, plasters, and others.

Camera and other gadgets

A complete African safari is one that you return home when you have taken pictures. The pictures shall always keep reminding you of that incredible safari holiday you had in Africa and you can achieve this when you have the best camera. If you are heading for extraordinary primate adventures such as gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo or chimpanzee tracking, we recommend good cameras with no flashlight. You may also have a pair of binoculars- Africa is one of the world’s leading birding destinations and expects to see a diversity of bird species.

Waterproof bag

A waterproof bag large enough is essential to help you pack and protect your gadgets such as cameras. This is because rains in most of the African safari destinations are unpredictable and early preparation is essential.

Plug converters

Most safari lodges and hotels in Africa offer many universal plug adaptors for tourists to use while in their rooms or tents though you can also carry your own. The electric voltage in Africa is usually 220-240volt though this may differ from country to country with the plug type.

Mountain gorillas do not exist anywhere else in the wild and they are not found in captivity. Tourists all over the world every year travel to this side of the African continent to visit these rare primates species, for anyone to visit mountain gorillas in any of these three countries, needs to acquire gorilla permits.

Depending on your budget and interest, you can visit mountain gorillas in any of these 3 countries and the price for a gorilla permit in the three countries differ for example, in Uganda gorilla permit is sold at 650$ per permit, in DRC gorilla permits are sold at 450$ per permit and in Rwanda, they are for 1500$ per permit.

After getting the gorilla permit, the next step is traveling to the national park headquarter depending on which park you want to visit and once you at the park always in the morning, you will be briefed about gorilla trekking rules, a ranger guide will lead a small group of eight or less into the misty jungles in the search for these animals. Once the gorillas are tracked down, the tourists will be allowed a maximum of an hour to stay with the mountain gorillas, take photos, record videos and observe them as the mum is caring for the young and the youth play from one branch of trees to another.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park – Uganda

Uganda is famously known as the Pearl of Africa and is one of the most beautiful tourism destinations in Africa and it’s among the 3 countries from where tourists can safely visit the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Uganda has amazing natural tourist attractions and diverse cultures which you can enjoy when you decide to visit the country for a safari. Uganda has over 50 cultures and going for a gorilla safari you can also get a chance to learn more about this country and its people.

Uganda is home to over half of the world’s total population of mountain gorillas, is because it only Uganda that has two gorilla parks that are the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is found in the southwestern part of the country, and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is also found in the southwestern part of the country and also Mgahinga Gorilla National park is part of the Virunga Mountains and the park features 3 extinct volcanoes namely Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. This makes the country the best destination for any tourist interested in going gorilla trekking in Africa.

Every tourist to go gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park will need to have a gorilla permit that can be purchased from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offices in Kampala and they are sold at 750$ per permit and it’s advised to be booked in advance due to the fact that they are always on high demand.

In addition to the gorilla parks in Uganda, the country is blessed with about 10 national parks and wildlife reserves from where you can watch a variety of wildlife and big games. Among the other attractions that can make a Uganda gorilla safari more memorable are the beautiful rain forests and volcanic mountains in the western part of the country. A Uganda safari will give you a great experience that you need to come back and witness time and time again. You will love the beautiful scenery in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla in Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National park which is found in the northwestern part of the country. The park is part of the Virunga Mountains and features 5 volcanoes namely Karisimbi, Muhabura, Bisoke, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. The park is not only home to Mountain gorillas, but still, Volcanoes National Park is home to a variety of wildlife like golden monkeys, over 178 different species of birds the thing which makes the park also a perfect birding destination.

Going gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, every tourist will need to acquire a gorilla permit that can be purchased from the Rwanda development board (RDB) at 1500$ per day. There are several reasons which make Rwanda the favorable gorilla trekking destination and the main one is being the distance whereby traveling from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park can only take a 2-hour drive not like in Uganda where a tourist will need to travel an 8-hour drive from Kampala to Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga National Park.

Alongside gorilla trekking in Rwanda, the country is also blessed with other interesting and historical attractions for example the genocide memorial sites plus the wildlife in Akagera National Park where you can enjoy watching different animals and Nyungwe Forest National Park where you can spot Chimpanzees and also enjoy canopy walk.

Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Mountain Gorilla trekking in DRC is done in Virunga National Park which is found in the eastern part of the country. Gorilla trekking safaris in DRC are not yet popular because of the political unrest in the country per now. This made Uganda and Rwanda who are politically safe to be the best choice for any tourist who would love to visit mountain gorillas in their natural environment.

Therefore, the following are the outstanding UNESCO World Heritage Sites (of ecological and  biological importance) in Africa that are found within the Democratic Republic of Congo;

• Virunga National Park

This National Park was established in 1925 to mainly protect the critically endangered mountain gorillas, making it the oldest Park in Africa and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 extending for 7800 square kilometers between the southern Virunga Mountains and the northern Rwenzori Mountains. The Park is characterized by several habitats including Afro-montane forests, steppe, snowfield, swamps, savannah, Lava plains, and Afro-alpine vegetation which all support abundant biodiversity including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, Hippos, buffaloes, elephants, and over 700 species of birds as well as 78 Amphibian species. However, the conservation of Virunga National Park is greatly affected by the presence of militant groups, deforestation, and poaching as well as the planned oil exploration by a UK-based Company which as expected will affect the Park.

• Salonga National Park

With an area of 36,000 square kilometers in the Congo River Basin, Salonga National Park is the World’s second-largest rainforest National Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 protecting the thick rainforest. Due to the dense vegetation and remoteness due to the vast water bodies in the Park, it can only be accessible by air or water, hence the reason it receives few tourists. Salonga National Park is popular for offering outstanding species of wildlife such as Slender-snouted crocodiles, Bonobos, dwarf chimpanzees, forest elephants, and forest buffaloes among others. This rainforest National Park is also environmentally important for climate regulation and sequestration of carbon but is also a have to the population of pygmies and local communities.

• Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi-Biega is one of the few tourist destinations in the world for lowland gorilla tracking. It was gazetted in 1970 to protect these exceptional gorilla species and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 due to the numerous natural attractions that can be spotted. This Protected Area surrounds a Mountain range dominated by the extinct peaks of Kahuzi and Biega Mountains. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is nestled between the Albertine Rift and Congo River Basin and is characterized by thick lowland rainforests as well as montane forests which offer shelter to the eastern lowland gorillas, red-faced chimpanzees, and forest elephants in addition to birds, reptiles, and Amphibian species. However, this Park has severely been affected by illegal mining, poaching, and agricultural activities that have continuously degraded the attractions and beauty of the Park and its exceptional attractions.

• Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Gazetted into a Reserve in 1992 to protect the Okapi and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, Okapi Wildlife Reserve is another important site in the Democratic Republic of Congo comprising almost one-fifth of the entire Ituri Forest on the north-eastern sides of the country. This rainforest surprisingly supports a high level of endemism and Okapi Wildlife Reserve is endowed with the World’s highest population of the Okapi and other wildlife species such as dwarf chimpanzees, dwarf chimpanzees, Bonobo, gorillas, and forest buffaloes among others. In addition to the wildlife, this Reserve is also a haven for the native Efe and Mbuti pygmies who have conserved the Reserve as an important part of their lives.

Much as Conservation of the Reserve is taken seriously, it still faces several threats including rebel activities and poaching which generally threaten the extraordinary wildlife and their habitats.

• Garamba National Park

Established in 1938, Garamba National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 due to its rich biodiversity. This Protected Area is an extensive area characterized by open woodlands and guinea savannah as well as several permanent water bodies that support the existence of numerous flora and fauna. Its location within the transition zone between the thick and humid forest eco-regions and the savannah vegetation makes this site one of the most significant areas.

Garamba National Park is a haven for some of Africa’s most wonderful species of game like elephants, spotted hyenas, white rhinos, Hippos, chimpanzees, Congo giraffes, and lions. However, due to poaching, less than 50 white rhinos remain in the Park making this park one of the most endangered Conservation Areas in Africa.

The reserve was established in 1992 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and offers refuge to Okapis that today make up approximately 5000 in number out of the 30000 individuals in the wild, 4000 Elephants (Loxodonta Africana cyclotis), bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus), aquatic genet (osbornictis piscivora), giant genet (genetta victoriae), 2000 leopards, 17 primates (13 diurnal and 4 nocturnal) including 7500 chimpanzees (pan troglo, crocodiles as well as forest buffaloes, 308 bird species, water chevrotain and many more. The reserve is credited for its bio-geographical location, a wealth of biotopes, and several unique low-altitude forests.

Around the northern side, the Okapi wildlife reserve features granite rock outcrops and offers refuge to plant species specifically adapted to the microclimate, characterized by several endemic species like the Giant cycad-Encepholarcus Ituriensis. It also inhabits most of the forest ongulates with over 14 species plus the 6 distinct kinds of Cephalophus.

Birding in Okapi Wildlife Reserve Congo

For bird lovers, Okapi Wildlife Reserve also features among the most incredible birding sites in Africa with bird species like the rare Congo Peafowl (Afropavo Congensis) and several endemic species in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Okapi Wildlife Reserve’s forest features among the very few most excellent and well-conserved areas in the Congo Basin and its area is regarded as sufficient when it comes to wildlife conservation. It forms part of the bigger forestry area of the Ituri forest that still offers authentic wilderness experiences of a lifetime. This reserve is conserved under the Wildlife Reserve Statute and refuges several indigenous species including the Mbuti and Efe pygmies and the forest ecosystems that are of great value when it comes to economic and cultural experiences in Africa.

There is also a management proposal to cover the 3 management areas within this reserve and this includes the fully protected core zone of about 282000 ha consisting of 20 percent of the reserve in which all the hunting isn’t allowed and an area of 950000 ha for traditional use where self-regulated hunting, using traditional techniques is permitted to cover the basic interests of the humans around the reserve. Permanent installations and agricultural clearing are allowed in the 180000 ha development area which consists of a small band on every side of the number four national road crossing via the central area of the reserve and through the secondary road which connects Mambasa to Mungbere in the eastern boundary of the reserve.

Other plans are also intended to turn the entire reserve into a national park. A buffer zone of 50 kilometers wide has been defined around the whole reserve. The leading management challenges at the reserve include immigration control in the development area, the restricted agricultural encroachment around the 10-kilometer-wide strip located on the road, and making sure that the natives participate in the conservation and management of the reserve. The other challenges include the control of commercial poaching and artisanal mining. Whereas the protected area benefits from the support of several NGOs and other funding, it is imperative to get human and logistical resources to make sure that there is effective management of the reserve and its buffer zones at large.

The best time to visit Okapi Wildlife Reserve

Okapi Wildlife Reserve is best explored around June and August as these months come with a minimal amount of rainfall.

In conclusion, despite the challenges faced Okapi Wildlife Reserve is open for tourism you can pay a visit to it at any time of the year and you will certainly be amazed by incredible wildlife species that you may not easily find in any part of Africa. The reserve is perfect for nature lovers who are planning their vacation to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).