Congo Gorilla Tours – Affordable & Unique Primate Trekking Adventures

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a great, less expensive primate trekking destination in Africa. Primate safaris in Congo are very affordable compared to other primate trekking countries.

DR Congo should be your third mountain gorilla trekking option and your first lowland gorilla trekking option. If you want to meet bonobo chimpanzees, Congo becomes your number one option.

If you want to hike Mount Nyiragongo – one of the deadliest volcano mountains in the world, DR Congo should definitely be on your bucket list.

Please note that Congo primate trekking activities are very scenic. Congo has amazing scenery that you’ll fall in love with, especially when you visit Virunga National Park.

Why Book a Trip to Congo?

Your primary reason to visit DR Congo should be lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Bukavu, bonobo chimpanzee trekking, or Mount Nyiragongo hiking in Virunga National Park.

Despite offering mountain gorilla trekking, Uganda and Rwanda are better destinations for mountain gorilla safaris. These are the most common safari activities and all take place in the eastern province of the country.

There is not much to do in DR Congo. Not all Congo national parks are open for tourism. The most commonly visited Congo safari parks are Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

If you are finding it hard to plan your Congo safari holiday, we can help with the planning process.

When to Go on Congo Tours

The best time to visit DR Congo is during the dry months of the year. During these months, parks are dry and easy to traverse. The dry months of the year are January, February, June, July, August, September, and December. The best time to visit DR Congo is from June to August. These are usually the busiest months of the Congo tourism industry.

Visiting during the low season months of March, April, May, October, and November equally offers a great, unique, affordable, and private experience to tourists. Most tourists avoid these months, forgetting they can have better affordable Congo safari experiences.

Where to Find Congo Mountain Gorillas

Congo mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park. DR Congo’s greatest calling card is Virunga, the oldest national park in Africa and home to Congo mountain gorillas, Congo chimpanzees, and the incredible, active Nyiragongo volcano mountain (usually hiked on an epic two-day climbing expedition).

Having been the primary subject of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Virunga” in 2014, Virunga National Park grew fast in popularity.

Mountain gorillas are found in the four sectors of the park: Bukima sector, Mikeno sector, Lulimbi sector, and Kibumba sector. You will be allocated to a mountain gorilla family in one of these sectors. Visiting two different sectors means visiting two different mountain gorilla families in different scenery.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park

As mentioned above, mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park should be your last option after Uganda and Rwanda.

The best mountain gorilla trekking experiences in Africa are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (home to over half the remaining population of mountain gorillas in Africa) & Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Virunga National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in DR Congo all share the Virunga Conservation Area, a perimeter where the eight Virunga volcano mountains are found.

Gorilla families here often keep crossing between countries as this area is shared by all three countries.

Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park is what makes DR Congo a unique gorilla trekking destination in Africa. Uganda and Rwanda only offer mountain gorilla trekking. Congo has something unique to offer; a whole new gorilla trekking experience that any traveler would fall in love with.

Unlike mountain gorilla trekking, lowland gorilla trekking usually happens in the lowlands; hence, you are not required to trek to higher altitude areas to spot gorillas like with mountain gorilla trekking.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located in Bukavu. You will have to cross to Bukavu in Congo from the Bukavu/Rusizi border via Rwanda. This also means you have to plan your arrival and departure through Rwanda.

Hiking Mount Nyiragongo

Popularly known as DR Congo’s most rewarding sight, the active Nyiragongo mountain rises above Goma city and the surrounding neighborhood of Virunga National Park and sends plumes of smoke into the sky, before becoming a flaming beacon visible for miles around after sundown.

The trek to the top is absolutely memorable, with those who undertake the five-hour climb being rewarded with views into the volcano’s explosive lava lake below.

Mount Nyiragongo is one of the most dangerous active volcano mountains in the world. Hiking it takes two days, with a night at the top. Hiking Nyiragongo volcano is one of the most unique activities that you should add to your bucket list.

Congo River Trips on Tchegera Island

Tchegera Island is an amazing weekend getaway spot in DRC. The U-shaped island is situated on the northern side of Lake Kivu, a lake that separates some parts of Rwanda and DR Congo.

Tchegera Island is a great spot to relax after your mountain gorilla trekking escapade or Nyiragongo hiking experience in Virunga National Park. Tchegera Island is a great spot for Congo river trips. Bird watching here is amazing too.

Most travelers include a visit to this island at the end of their itinerary to relax and unwind from the trekking fatigue.

Tchegera Island can be accessed through Goma and Kituku ports.

Comparing DRC Gorilla Trekking vs. Uganda & Rwanda

Uganda and Rwanda are better gorilla trekking destinations. However, as mentioned earlier, the advantage Congo has over Uganda and Rwanda is the possibility to trek lowland gorillas too. The lowland gorilla trekking experience is much easier as you do not have to trek to higher altitude places. You visit the lowland gorillas from the same altitude as humans.

The other advantage DR Congo has is affordability. Congo gorilla safaris are very affordable compared to gorilla tours in Uganda and Rwanda. Both Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park offer affordable gorilla safari experiences.

If your main aim is to see mountain gorillas, opt for Uganda or Rwanda. If you want to see lowland gorillas, choose DR Congo and Kahuzi-Biega National Park in particular.

Choosing a Tour Package for Your Congo Safari Tours

Your Congo tour package is basically made up of the safari activities that you want to engage in. The most common Congo tourism activities are mountain gorilla trekking, lowland gorilla trekking, Mount Nyiragongo hiking, bonobo and common chimpanzee trekking, waterfall hikes, visiting the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage, and nature hiking among others.

Simply inquire with us, tell us when you want to travel, mention the activities that you want to engage in, your preferred accommodation class and level, and how many days you wish to travel. With all this information, we shall craft an authentic Congo tour package for you.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Congo

The cost of gorilla trekking in Congo is very affordable. With gorilla permits at USD 400 and USD 200 for high and low seasons respectively, even a shoestring traveler can enjoy an experience with the gorillas of Congo.

Booking shorter safaris further cuts down on the total price of gorilla trekking in Congo. So even with the affordability of the tourism industry, there is still plenty of room to adopt several cost-reduction measures and make your Congo gorilla safari very affordable.

When you travel in a group of over eight travelers, we will give you huge discounts on your Congo safaris. You can contact us and find out the safari offers we have at the moment.

Congo Gorilla Permits

You need Congo gorilla permits to see mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park respectively. These gorilla permits are purchased through the park and are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Advance bookings are recommended to avoid missing out on slots. However, with Congo, you can even book last-minute gorilla safaris, considering it’s a less visited gorilla trekking destination.

Please note that you need to meet the 15 years’ minimum age requirement to be eligible to purchase a gorilla permit and trek gorillas. Anyone younger than that will not be accepted to trek gorillas in Congo.

Getting a Congo Visa

Travelers planning to visit DR Congo should obtain visas from respective DRC high missions and embassies in their respective countries. Visas do not apply should you happen to come from visa-exempt countries or those countries that can get a Congo visa upon arrival.

Citizens who hold a biometric passport from the following countries are visa-exempt and can enter and stay in DR Congo for up to 90 days. These include Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. A Congo visa is not required for the Chinese if they hold normal passports endorsed “For Public Affairs”.

Holders of Portuguese and Turkish diplomatic passports are visa-exempt, as well as holders of diplomatic or service category passports given to citizens of Brazil, China, and Russia.

Planning for Your Congo Tour Holidays

For proper planning, you ought to book your Congo safari holidays in advance. When you inquire with us and we work out a proper tour package for you, we shall request a deposit in advance.

We use this money to buy your gorilla trekking permits, mountain hiking permits, make small deposits on accommodation facilities, and a few service providers to guarantee your Congo safari holiday.

After booking your safari, we shall keep monitoring the current security situation closely and keep updating you with the details until your actual arrival for your Congo safari holidays.

If a park is not safe to visit at the moment, we shall defer your Congo trip at no extra charge.

Visiting the Bonobo Chimpanzees at Lola Ya Bonobo

Ninety minutes west of Kinshasa, just beyond the city’s sprawl, Lola Ya Bonobo Sanctuary provides a home for orphaned bonobos. Long thought to be chimpanzees, bonobos are actually a separate species known for being much more peaceful than their cousins.

They’re also endangered, with only around 50,000 surviving in the wild. Trails here lead around the large, forested enclosures, but the playful bonobos often hang out right at the front, especially in the morning.

Visiting the bonobo chimpanzees in Congo is a great experience that you should undertake at all costs. A visit to this sanctuary is very safe and it’s in the DR Congo capital of Kinshasa.

Paying Tribute to the Orphaned Mountain Gorillas at Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage

Just like visiting orphaned bonobo chimpanzees at Lola Ya Bonobo, you can also visit the orphaned mountain gorillas at Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage.

These gorillas have been saved from the hands of poachers and smugglers, whereas some have lost their family members.

A visit to Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage is free, but you are highly encouraged to make a voluntary donation to support this project/cause.

We often recommend this visit and highly encourage tourists to undertake it. It is one of the ways of saving mountain gorillas, increasing their total population, and pushing mountain gorilla conservation further.

Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage can be visited during your visit to Virunga National Park.

It is a great complimentary activity after gorilla trekking in Virunga or hiking Nyiragongo volcano mountain.