Gorilla trekking in the DRC : Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have. You’ll get to see these amazing animals up close and personal, in their natural environment. It’s also a great opportunity to take stunning photographs that will stay with you for a lifetime.
WHERE TO GET A GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT IN CONGO
You pay the national park fees at the gate. The fee depends on the park/reserve you want to visit. Some national parks have a small daily fee that visitors pay upon entry to the park; however, you can also purchase a seasonal pass that covers entry to multiple parks in the country for a cheaper price. Make sure that you know what kind of permits you’ll need. For example, if you’re planning on hiking to a waterfall or forest trail, you may need a forest permit.
Make sure you bring along cash with you to pay for the entrance fees. If you forget to bring cash, you won’t be able to enter without a valid credit card to pay the park fees with.
You don’t have to pay for gorilla trekking permits online in advance, but it’s a good idea to book ahead of time if you want to go on a day that’s not as busy.
WHICH PARKS TO VISIT FOR GORILLA TREKKING IN THE DRC
Virunga National Park in the DRC is home to one of the last remaining populations of the critically endangered mountain gorillas and is classified as World Heritage site by UNESCO. This park is widely considered one of the best destinations in Africa for gorilla trekking. However, since the civil war ended in 2003, there has been an increase in tourism in the park, which has raised concerns about the conservation of the gorillas and other wildlife in the area. Currently, there are 14 habituated groups in the park and the animals are habituated to humans, making them much easier to see. The park also offers night treks where you can enjoy watching the mountain gorillas as they play and interact with each other in their natural habitat. If you are visiting the park for the first time, you can arrange a guided tour through the park’s visitor center and they will help you find the best trails for your group. For a truly unforgettable experience, you can combine your gorilla trekking tour with a visit to Dian Fossey’s gravesite which is located nearby on Mount Visoke.
Straddling the Albertine Rift and the Congo Basin, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is an exceptional habitat for the protection of the rainforest and the eastern lowland gorillas, Gorilla berengei graueri. Extending over 600,000 ha, are dense lowland rainforests as well as Afro-montane forests, with bamboo forests and some small areas of sub-alpine prairies and heather on Mounts Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Biega (2,790 m).
The Park contains a flora and fauna of exceptional diversity, making it one of the most important sites in the Rift Albertine Valley, it is also one of the ecologically richest regions of Africa and worldwide. In particular, the most important world population of eastern lowland gorillas (or de Grauer), sub-species endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and listed under the endangered category on the IUCN Red Data Book, uses the mosaic of habitats found in the property.
If you want to go gorilla trekking in Congo, the best place to start is the Virunga National Park. This park contains the largest concentration of mountain gorillas in the world and is home to the last remaining population of around 1,000 individuals. The park is also classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and covers an area of 7800 square kilometers. The best way to explore the park is to take a guided tour which can be arranged through the park’s visitor center. During the tour you will visit the habituated groups that are located around the park where you will be able to get up close and observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
