Popular Types of Congo Trips & Vacations – Best Congo Safaris
Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Congo trips and vacations, bringing you to experience different Congo safari types as seen below.
Primate Tracking Congo Trips & Tours
This is the most famous experience in DR Congo as the country protects various primates in its wild dense forests.
Get to meet the 2 species of Gorillas within the country and these are the endangered Mountain Gorillas and Eastern Lowland Gorillas.
Virunga National Park is the oldest national park in DR Congo where you can go for tracking the mountain gorillas, and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for tracking the eastern lowland gorilla species similar to western lowland gorilla trekking safari.
Similarly, primate safaris in the Democratic Republic of Congo will bring you closer to other common primate species in the country for example
| 1. Common Chimpanzees 2. Eastern Chimpanzees 3. Black and White Colobus Monkeys 4. Bonobos 5. Olive Baboons 6. Grey-cheeked Mangabeys 7. L’Hoest’s Monkey 8. Blue Monkeys 9. Red-Tailed Monkeys 10. Senegal Bushbaby 11. Patas Monkeys 12. Blue Monkeys 13. Mantled Guereza | 14. Golden Monkeys 15. Allen’s Swamp Monkey 16. De Brazza’s Monkey 17. Brown Greater Galago 18. Mahol Bushbaby 19. Angola Colobus 20. Greater Spot-nosed Monkey 21. Dent’s Mona Monkey 22. Sykes’ Monkey 23. Wolf’s Mona Monkey 24. Tantalus Monkey 25. Lesula 26. Black Crested Mangabey, etc |
Wildlife Viewing in the Democratic Republic Congo Safari Tours
The Democratic Republic of the Congo also offers some of the best wildlife safari experiences to explore the nature of the surrounding landscape and wild animals of the country.
On your wildlife safaris, get to discover different wildlife animals, plants and physical features, most of which can be seen in the Congo Basin, especially by intrepid travelers.
DR Congo has about 1,000 bird species, 280 reptile species, butterflies, and 400 mammal species.
Wildlife Animals in DRC
- African Forest Elephant
- Okapi
- Aadvark
- African Civet
- Hippos
- Antelope
- Nile Crocodiles
- Pangolins
Top Physical Features in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- The Congo Basin
- Rivers, like Congo River
- Lake Edward, Lake Kivu
- Volcanic Mountains
- Plateaus
Waterfalls, etc
Where Can I go for a Congo Trip?
There are various national parks and other protected areas to visit for your DR Congo adventure and below are some of them
1. Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is the oldest national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Africa’s most biodiverse protected area.
The park is a haven to over 1000 animal species, including birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Notably, it is home to a significant population of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas, making it an ideal destination for mountain gorilla trekking during your gorilla tours.
Found on the eastern edge of the Congo Basin between Lake Albert and Lake Kivu, Virunga National Park was established as Albert National Park in 1925 by King Albert I of Belgium.
Known as the Park of Fire and Ice, its diverse habitats range from the Rwenzori peaks to savannas and volcanic plains, among the Virunga volcanic mountains.
Volcanoes Park features several volcanoes: the dormant Mountain Mikeno, the active Mountain Nyamuragira, and the most active Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano which erupted in 2021.
Most travelers prefer a DR Congo gorilla adventure in Virunga National Park due to its lower cost compared to other gorilla tour destinations. The park has 10 habituated gorilla families that travelers can track during their wild adventure. Gorilla families in Virunga National Park are Kabirizi, Bageni, Lulengo, Rugendo, Nyakamwe, Wilungula, Humba, Munyaga, Mapuwa, and Baraka.
The Virunga Foundation and the ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) are responsible for protecting Virunga National Park. Virunga also features other major attractions, including monkey species like Golden Monkeys, Central African Red Colobus, and Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys, and various bird species.
Chimpanzee trekking in this park is less common, but there are a few Chimpanzees.
2. Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is another fantastic destination for those on a DR Congo adventure. It is one of the largest protected areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, located on the western bank of Lake Kivu and covering an area of 6,000 km2.
It is the best safari destination for tracking Eastern Lowland gorillas in their natural habitat during Democratic Republic of Congo safaris. This UNESCO World Heritage site hosts the highest number of Eastern Lowland gorillas, with about 250 individuals, making it a major tourist attraction.
There are about 12 Eastern Lowland Gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega National Park, though only 3 are habituated for lowland gorilla trekking safaris: the Chimanuka, Mpungwe, and Bonane families.
The Eastern Lowland Gorilla species are similar to the Western Lowland Gorilla groups found in Odzala National Park in Brazzaville, Central Africa.
In Kahuzi Biega National Park, you can also see other animals during your gorilla trekking adventure, such as forest elephants, Dent’s mona monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, Central African red colobus, and various bird species. Chimpanzees are present but not available for trekking.
Other tourist destinations for DR Congo safaris in Central Africa include.
- Salonga National Park
- Upemba Park
- Mangroves Park
- Kundelungu Park
- Odzala NP
- Lomami NP
- Garamba National Park, etc
Congo Gorilla Trekking Permit Price
To participate in gorilla safaris, you need gorilla trekking permits.
The Gorilla trek permits allow you to track either the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park or the Congo mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, close to Volcanoes National Park.
You cannot trek without a mountain gorilla trekking permit, and the price of this permit is as follows:
| Category | Cost/Fee |
| Non-Residents | $400 |
| Foreign Residents | $400 |
| Congolese Citizens | $200 |
Travelers can occasionally get discounted permits for defined periods, like in the wet season.
What is Included in the Gorilla Trekking Permit in Congo?
The gorilla trek permit is inclusive of entry fees. Also included in the permit are armed rangers who provide security during gorilla trekking and gorilla tracking. You will spend 1 hour with the primates on a Congo safari.
The gorilla trekking permits exclude transportation costs and porters, which you can hire separately for around $10–$20.
Where to Buy a Congo Gorilla Trekking Permit
The ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) is responsible for pricing and selling gorilla trek permits. Tourists can purchase the permits themselves or use the services of a licensed tour operator.
How do you buy a Gorilla Permit in the Congo?
Tourists outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo can buy Congo gorilla permits online through park management for their gorilla experiences. Send an inquiry to Virunga’s tourism office in Goma at visit@virunga.org, and you will receive availability options.
Follow the instructions on how to make the payment. However, the permit is only reserved after the initial payment with a scanned copy of your passport.
The best option for buying a permit is to use a reputable local tour operator who will handle all the logistics of the gorilla experiences and book the permit for you. They will need the gorilla trekking date, your full name, passport details, and a deposit for the permit.
A local tour operator is more viable and resourceful, and they can help you get last-minute Congo gorilla permits for visiting the primates.
Gorilla trekking on Congo trips and vacations are possible all year round, making it a great destination for Democratic Republic of Congo gorilla safaris. However, the most ideal moment to spend time in the country is during the dry season or dry months, from December to February and June to August.
During the dry season, trails are dry and accessible, with little to no rainfall. It is also a good time for photography with clear skies, providing ample lighting in Virunga National Park.
The wet months are from March to May and September to November. Expect rainfall and slippery trails during this time. However, the low season offers discount rates at lodges, reducing the Congo cost trip.
What to Wear for Congo Safaris
All travelers wishing to come for the Democratic Republic of the Congo trip are advised to wear the right clothes to avoid inconvenience. Below is the right attire for a mountain gorilla trekking trip:
- Light long-sleeved shirts and trousers
- Light hiking boots
- Hat or cap
- Garden gloves
- Sunglasses
- Poncho or rain jacket
What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking on Congo Trips
Here are some essential items to carry with you during Congo gorilla safaris in Virunga Park or Volcanoes VP of Rwanda:
- A good camera
- Binoculars, for better sights
- Hiking sticks
- Gorilla trek permits
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Light backpack
- Bottled water, among others
Congo Safari Hotels: Where to Stay During Your Congo Vacations
There are various hotels and lodges to where tourists can spend their nights both in cities and towns like Goma in north Kivu as they visit DRC. These accommodations are classified into three categories: Luxury, Midrange, and Budget as seen below.
Luxury Hotels in Congo/Luxury Lodges in Congo: Mikeno Lodge, Orchids Safari Club, Goma Serena Hotel, etc.
Midrange Congo Hotels and Lodges: Bukima Tented Camp, Lulimba Tented Camp, Kubumba Tented Camp, Tchengera Island Camp, Coco Lodge Bukavu, Hotel Begonais Bukavu, etc.
Budget Congo Hotels for Congo Vacations: Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelter, Exodus Bukavu, Mont Kahuzi Hotel, Ngila Lodge Virunga, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions About Congo Trip Vacations
Is gorilla trekking in Congo safe?
Yes, trekking gorillas in Congo is safe, despite the previous civil unrest in the country. The mountain gorilla trekking experience in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park is more secure if you use a reputable, reliable tour operator in DRC.
Throughout the Mountain Gorilla experience, armed rangers, fluent in English or French (Congo’s official language) will be with you at all times. The gorillas that you are trekking are fully habituated thus used to human presence.
How hard is Congo gorilla trekking?
Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park is not as hard as some people think, though it requires a normal level of fitness. Gorillas move deep into the forest, and you have to search for them. This requires trekking into hills, steeps, and valleys, which can be challenging.
If your fitness levels are low or you have problems moving, you can hire or get a walking stick.
How much does Congo vacations cost?
The price of a Gorilla trekking itinerary/package or an adventure in Congo’s Virunga National Park depends on a couple of factors.
Below are the factors that determine the cost of a Congo Gorilla package itinerary.
- Gorilla trekking permits cost $400
- Accommodation costs and food
Here is an estimated price of the accommodation facilities:
- Budget: $30 – $90 per person per night
- Mid-range: $100–200 per person per night
- Luxury: $250-$500 per person per night
- Mode of Transport – A 4×4 vehicle costs between $80 and $100. A land cruisers ranges between $150 to $250 per day.
- Considering Porters costs $10 to $20 per trekking session.
Therefore, a 3-day Congo gorilla trekking tour can cost between $2000-$5000, including all the necessities.
Why go for Congo gorilla trekking? Why go for Congo vacations/safaris?
Gorilla trekking in Congo is a wonderful adventure that every traveler wishes to engage in, as it is on their bucket list. However, many tourists ask why they should go on Gorilla safaris.
Here is why you should go on Congo safaris:
- Congo is a sanctuary to Mountain Gorillas, a globally endangered species.
- DRC protects the Eastern Lowland Gorillas.
- Trekking Gorillas in Congo contributes to Gorilla conservation.
- Gorilla trekking contributes to supporting local communities.
In conclusion, your Congo vacations will introduce you to the best experiences as you go exploring Africa’s beauty, especially the wildlife and the endangered primates in their natural habitat.
Inquire with us and book your Congo vacations through the best package itinerary & exploration adventure today for an exclusive experience.
