Gorilla Trekking Permits in Congo

Gorilla trekking permits in Congo are much cheaper than that of its competitors Rwanda and Uganda. A gorilla trekking permit in the Democratic Republic of Congo costs USD 400 per person for Foreign non- residents and USD 150 for Congolese residents; while in Uganda a gorilla trekking permit goes for USD 700 for foreign non-residents and USD 600 for foreign residents. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking permits cost USD 1500 per person for both foreign residents and foreign non-residents alike which makes Rwanda a luxury gorilla trekking destination.

Democratic Republic of Congo also offers discounted gorilla trekking permits at $200 during the low season months of October, November and March to May which favours the budget travellers. However the gorilla trekking permits should be booked at least four months in advance so as to avoid competition and being sold out.

Gorilla trekking in Congo can be done in Virunga national park or Kahuzi-Biega national park if you want to see eastern lowland gorillas. Mountain gorillas are only found in Virunga national park with a total of about 300 individuals. Visitors doing gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park have an opportunity to hike Mount Nyiragongo which is among one of the most active volcanic mountains in the world. The highlight of any hiking expedition on Mount Nyiragongo is the molten lava lake at the summit.

How to book for a Gorilla trekking permit in Congo

A gorilla trekking permit in Congo can be booked directly through Virunga tourism offices in Goma or booked through a trusted tour operator; in this case Explore Rwanda Tours will be able to help you book a gorilla trekking permit for you hence saving you all the hustle. When booking through a tour operator there are different processes which you pass through including;

Contacting your tour operator which is Explore Rwanda Tours with the date, months and year when you plan to visit Congo.
The company will check available permits which match with the dates provided
Send you the bank details where you will make the payments for the gorilla trekking permits
You will send your passport details which will be used to process the gorilla trekking permit
After the payments have been received Explore Rwanda Tours will purchase the gorilla trekking permit for you.

Best time to visit Congo for Gorilla trekking.

Gorilla trekking in Congo can be done at any time of the year. The best time that most visitors choose is during the drier seasons of June to September and December to February. During these months there is minimal rainfall hence gorilla trekking activity is easy in that the grounds are not so wet, muddy and slippery like during the wet season in March to May and October to November when trekking is more difficult due to heavy rains. However during the wet season in the months of March to May and October to November there is no competition of the gorilla trekking permits like during the dry season also known as the peak season. Congo also offers discounted gorilla trekking permits and the lodges also give discounts to the visitors on a safari hence encouraging people to visit the country.

What to pack when visiting Congo.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a tropical country with lots of tropical montane rainforests. Visitors going for gorilla trekking safaris in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park should park different items to make gorilla trekking successful and they include

You will need to present a COVID-19 negative test at the airport and also at all national parks that you will be visiting in Congo. Also don’t forget to carry with you face masks and a hand sanitizer.
Camera, this is an important item in that it’s used to capture all the moments with the gorillas during your safari in Congo.
Hiking boots, these are used to protect your feet from getting wet due to the muddy grounds in the forest during gorilla trekking.
Long sleeved shirts and trousers, these are used to protect your body from thorns, tree branches and insects while in the jungle and also keep you warm especially during the rainy season.
Waterproof rain jacket/poncho, this is used to protect you from the rain during gorilla trekking in the jungle.
Walking stick, this is used to give you support while trekking in the rugged forests which are slippery during the rainy season.
Garden gloves, these are used to protect your hands from germs, thorns, tree branches among others since you will be using the tree branches as support especially on the steep slopes.
Backpack, this is used to carry the items like rain jacket, camera snacks among others when trekking.
Energy snacks, snacks include packed food which can be got from the lodge where you will be staying and 2 litres of drinking water, these will give you energy especially when you are trekking gorillas in long distances.