Best Time to Visit Virunga National Park
Best time to visit Virunga National Park should be known by all travellers intending to visit the park on a Virunga safari tour. Virunga National Park is a typical gem of Africa that is tacked away in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Virunga National Park makes part of the Virunga Massif Area that as well encompasses Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda. The park is majorly made of tropical rainforest and mountains that are scattered over the park say the active volcanoes of Mount Nyiragongo that has a boiling lava lake at the summit and Mount Nyamuragira. Most travellers often wonder what the best time to visit Virunga National Park is. Before getting there though, one needs to first look at other aspects like getting into the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country that is the very largest in the entire African continent.
Important documents to be able to visit the Congo
To be able to get into the Democratic Republic of Congo, travellers need to make sure to possess a number of documents, which include;
A valid passport
Having a valid passport that allows travellers to leave their home of origin and travel to the Congo is very important. This valid passport also acts as a form of identification, having it therefore is very important, or simply copies of it at all times since it is requested for most times within the country.
A valid visa
A valid visa is a travel document that allows one access entry into a country and stay there for a given period of time. Travellers intending to visit the Congo should be sure to have one or applied for it and accepted. Before booking your flight into Congo arriving at the Goma International Airport or Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and be transferred to the Congo upon arrival, one needs to have applied and accepted for a tourist visa that is gotten upon a purchase of a Congo safaris tour. A Congo tourist visa costs USD 105, while an extended traveling visa in the Congo costs USD 225. A Congo tourist visa is valid for 14 days from the time of arrival, which is a long enough time for travellers to fully explore Virunga National Park in great detail as well as incorporate other tourist destinations in the Congo.
A valid Yellow fever card
This yellow fever card is very important to be had by all travellers intending to visit the Congo for without one entry into the country is denied unless you are administered one at the immigration and issued a card as proof.
Clad with your important documents that will definitely allow you entry into the Congo, the next is to know which specific destination in the Congo that you would like to visit if you hadn’t already gotten it, as well as the time or period of time you are likely to be available for your Congo safaris tour. It is important to align your availability date of holidaying with the best time to visit Virunga National Park once it is your preferred destination in the Congo. Most times when travellers ask when the best time to visit Virunga National Park is they are given the direct answer of the dry season which doubles as the peak season. The dry season is given as the best time to visit Virunga National Park for reasons like the roads and paths are not slippery and thus easily passable and travellers get clearer views without thick vegetation obstructing, plus some travellers find it safer to visit when the park is full with other tourists since it is the peak season when tourists tend to travel most. The dry season runs through the months of June to September and December to February. Much as the dry season is the most recommended and advised, the wet season is a good time to visit the park as well. All year long, the park can be visited.
Both the dry and wet season are undoubtedly the best time to visit Virunga National Park. Virunga National Park is a mountainous and densely populated area that rains fall at any time of day, even during the supposed dry season. The best time to visit Virunga National Park is sometimes dependent on a traveller. Some travellers actually prefer the wet season since the park is less touristy and there are also discounted Congo gorilla permits available at that time of the year. During the dry or peak season, a Congo gorilla permit costs $400 while it is only $200 during the wet or low season. It is also during the wet or low season that accommodation facilities have discounted rates driving one’s budget lower than expected but still enjoy the same Virunga National Park experience.
The best time to visit Virunga National Park shouldn’t be solely dependent on weather alone. The best time to visit Virunga National Park can depend on a traveller’s preferences, interests, availability and budget. Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you with the planning process of your Virunga National Park safari.
