The Democratic Republic of Congo is another home to Mountain Gorillas in Africa. The country has both Lowland and Mountain Gorillas. The gorilla trekking tours in Congo are becoming popular worldwide! The country is safe and open to all International visitors. On this gorilla safari, you will go gorilla trekking in the Virunga national park of Congo. This two day gorilla tour will start in Rwanda, where you will transfer to Virunga National park in Democratic republic of Congo via Uganda’s Cyanika border. The park has six families of gorillas with three groups most tracked.
A gorilla permit in the Virunga cost USD 400 compared to USD 600 in Uganda and USD 1500 in Rwanda making it even cheaper to track gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The habituated families are Kabirizi family, which was the first to train with 34 members in the Bukima sector of the national park.
The other families include Humba family led by Humba silver back, Rugendo family led by Rugendo silver back, Mapuwa family led by Mapuwa silver back, Lulengo family headed by Lulengo as a dominant silver back and finally Munyanga family which was open to trekkers in 2008. Only 8 people are allowed to visit a group of gorillas per day and will only be given one hour with the gorillas.
DAY 1: Transfer from Kigali to Kisoro, a border town in Uganda
Will be picked by the driver/guide and transfer to Kisoro on Uganda boarder, a journey that will take you through a scenic view of beautiful Rwanda’s rolling hills passing via Ruhengeri in northern part of Rwanda and continuing to Cyanika boarder. Finalize boarder arrangements and cross into Uganda. You may have guided nature walk, visit the natural, beautiful-looking Lake Mutanda, surrounded by the volcanoes; take a walk on the shores. Dinner and overnight stay at Travelers Rest Hotel/ Kisoro Tourist Hotel.
DAY 2: Gorilla tracking in Virunga
To the Bunagana border with Congo, cross and drive to the Park Headquarters to be briefed about gorilla tracking dos and don’ts before setting off into the forest to track gorillas in Parc National des Virunga of Congo for the incredible experience. In the course of searching for the Mountain Gorillas, you will be exposed to excellent birding and primates such as the Golden Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black and White colobus monkey, and giant forest hogs among others. You will stay with these beautiful primates for one hour for observation and photography.
Gorilla tracking through the forest, hills and swamps can be tough, arduous and tiring, sometimes taking up to 8 hours in the forest. But coming face to face with the great primates is well worth the effort. Return to Kisoro in Uganda, and after refreshments at the hotel, set off back to Kigali in Rwanda reaching in the evening and depart.
