Why Go on Guided Tours in Congo
Vacations to far-off places immerse you in the culture as you enjoy everything from the food and customs to the entertainment and landmarks. Exploring the destination on your own is always an option, but travelers often choose guided tours as a way to get their bearings. Based on local knowledge and experience, guided safaris in Congo offer several advantages check below;
Leave the Planning to Someone Else
Joining a guided tour means there’s no hassle of planning. A guided tour company handles all the organization and prep work for visiting landmarks in the area. You save time and energy that you would normally put into planning out your own tours of your destination. The tour guide puts together a schedule for visiting locations based on their proximity to make efficient use of the tour time.
Guided tours arrange the itinerary, activities, and schedules for you way ahead of time. They also give a definitive structure and plan for each day and allow you to see more than if you were figuring everything out on your own. The tours take into account the visiting hours of the stops on the itinerary so you don’t have to spend hours researching the information for each place you want to visit. Transportation is handled for you. You simply sign up for the preferred tour and show up at the designated time.
If you’re pressed for time and won’t have too long to see all of the major sights, a tour can help you check off all the boxes quickly. Finally, an experienced and knowledgeable guide can make your trip more enjoyable by helping you understand more about a particular site, and can often bring history to life. Many people who choose a guided tour over independent travel find they learn much more about the place than if they went it alone.
Comfort and Safety
The first time in a new location leaves many travelers feeling nervous or unsure of where to go and how to act. This is particularly true for vacations abroad if you aren’t fluent in the local language. A guided tour gives you a sense of comfort since the tour guide understands the culture. In some destinations, safety is an issue. The tour guide helps you avoid potentially dangerous areas of the city and brings a sense of safety to the trip.
Insider Knowledge
Tour companies operate frequent tours in the area and often hire locals to guide the tours. This provides an inside knowledge of the destination that you might not have. Insider knowledge of the area means you’ll hit all the highlights. The tour may also allow you to uncover some hidden gems within the city that you wouldn’t otherwise know about. Guides often share stories and bits of history about landmarks to give more depth to your experience. The company uses its knowledge of the city to schedule activities and visits during times when they aren’t as busy.
Socialization
Joining a group of fellow travelers adds a social aspect to a guided tour, especially if you aren’t traveling with people you already know. Experiencing a new city with others allows you to share your reactions and connect with fellow group members. In some cases, the relationships built last even after the tour ends.
Satisfaction is always guaranteed
Tour operators want their customers to come back and buy more tours. Good ones will do their best to make sure the customers who bought a guided tour have an amazing experience and go back home with an overall good understanding of the country they have just visited and its culture; they will make sure that you will be so happy that you will consider traveling with them again.
It may be cheaper than you think
One of the biggest benefits of group travel is that it may be cheaper than traveling independently. Relying on a tour operator may thus be the best option to save on time and even money – yes, an organized tour may at times be considerably cheaper, as tour operators can get great bargains for booking large numbers of people in a hotel, for example.
It’s a great way to meet others
Loneliness is one of the most difficult parts of traveling independently. Signing up with a group is a quick and easy way to make friends.
For many people it’s often difficult to meet new people under normal circumstances. Now put yourself in the confusing situation of being in a foreign country and it can make it even harder. Travelers are often on different schedules and depending on the part of the world you intend to travel, they might even speak a completely different language.
Traveling with a tour guides helps break the ice, make friends quickly and create memories with someone else. As nice as it is to look back at old travel photos from a solo trip, sharing a beer with a friend you met on a group trip to some exotic part of the world and reminiscing on the great times you had is one of the best post travel experiences you can have.
You have access to more destinations and Activities
There are many travel destinations that are very difficult and safety could be a concern with a tour guide. Whether it’s traveling to a country where there are regions in political turmoil, or participating in organized activities such as trekking through National parks in DRC, without a guide you are at much higher risk of running into problems.
Going on a group tour opens up the world a bit more and allows you the freedom to safely travel to places you might not consider going without one. Trying to go it alone in a place where you don’t speak the language, don’t understand the local customs, and don’t have a plan setup beforehand can not only be stressful, but potentially dangerous depending on where you want to travel. This is one of the biggest benefits for many travelers who decide to choose a guided tour over independent travel.
Conclusion
No matter how you look at it, travelling can take a lot of time and preparation to organise and plan. While self-guided travel works well for some, most of tourists prefer a little more pre-planning before embarking on the next big adventure.
Read MoreHow to Save on Rwanda Gorilla Tours
Rwanda is one of the African countries with rapid growing tourism sectors. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking tours are conducted throughout the year though many people prefer trekking in dry season from June to August and January to February. Many argue that, gorilla trekking in rainy season is disturbing and much rain can fail the activity.
In dry period, the gorilla trekking trails are dry and thus facilitating smooth gorilla trekking activity in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda offers a gorilla permit at US1500 and each traveler MUST buy a gorilla permit. Many travelers are however, complain about the high cost of the gorilla permit on addition to high cost of accommodation, transport, visa, plane fares among others.
When the prices of Rwanda gorilla permit increased, many other facilities also increased to make Rwanda for high end gorilla trekking destination. Below are tactic travelers can employ to minimize high cost of gorilla tours:
- Book Group tours – When you travel in groups, you automatically share safari cost in terms of transport, share accommodation, guiding fees among others. Solo travelers take a full burden alone. The safari cost reduces with the increasing number of travelers and the reverse is true.
- Self-drive – You can just hire a car and go self-drive to cut the safari cost. The only cost you incur is the fuel price and car washing.
- Book short trip – wen you book few days trip, the lower the prices and the reverse is true. You can save by booking 1 day trip, 2 days gorilla trip or 3 days gorilla safari.
- Visit More than one National Park to get a discounted gorilla permit – If you book a visit in two or three National parks in Rwanda, Rwanda Development Board gives discount on the Gorilla permit to US$1050 instead of US$1500. However, you must present genuine proof of accommodation booking to the RDB.
- Full Covid – 19 vaccinations to avoid over stay in Rwanda – To avoid any inconveniences, you must get full vaccination to avoid delay and unnecessary expenditures.
- Utilize Nationality benefits – All African residents are entitled to discounted Rwanda Gorilla permits at US$500 instead of US$1500.
Cost sharing – You can deal with your local tour operator or local company to finance part of your trip and in return, you must promise return benefits to the company in terms of marketing.
Read MoreWhy Visit Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is found on the eastern side of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), close to Bukavu town, on the western bank of the Lake Kivu and Rwanda border. The park was established by Adrien Deschryver – a Belgian conservationist and photographer in 1970 and inherits its name from the two dormant volcanoes; Mount Kahuzi standing at 3,308M and Mount Biega standing at 2,790M covering an area of 6,000 square kilometers which makes it one of the largest national parks in Congo with both the lowland and mountainous terrain.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park was inscribed in 1980 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique biodiversity of the rain forest habitat and being home to the lowland Gorillas – known as Gorilla beringei graueri and considered to be highly endangered. The smaller portion of the park is mountainous whereas the bigger part is the lowland.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the most important sites in the Albertine Rift Valley and one of the most ecologically rich areas in Africa and the world at large with exceptional diversity in its plant and wildlife (flora & fauna). It is one of the rare areas in Sub-Saharan Africa where the transition in vegetation zones from the lowland to Highland is clearly observable with six distinguishable primary vegetation types that are; swamp and peat bog, swamp forest, high-altitude rainforest, the mountain rainforest, bamboo forest, and subalpine heather as well as the endemic plant Senecio kahuzicus found on the summits of Mount Kahuzi and Biega at altitudes above 2,600 meters.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Tracking
Most tourists who go to Kahuzi-Biega National Park do so to spot Grauer’s gorillas. Eastern lowland gorillas are larger than mountain gorillas. The species is making one of its last stands here and faces the possibility of extinction. The census of 2013 discovered 145 individuals in the highland sector of the park, a great decline from the 600 first counted in 1990.
Grauer’s gorillas face threats from poaching (young gorillas for trade), illegal cutting down of trees, encroachment on land for farming, and mining coltan. Three Grauer’s lowland gorilla groups are fully habituated and open to tourists in the highlands. Gorilla Trekking in Congo involves hiking through the dense tropical rain forests, swamps, and even highlands depending on the last location of the gorilla group.
While tracking the gorillas, it is important to listen to the instructions of the rangers at all times. Tracking can take anywhere between thirty minutes to 6 hours. You are only allowed one hour with the gorillas. Use this time to observe the family keenly. You should be able to spot juveniles playing, females nursing the young ones, and the dominant silverback looking out for any danger to the family.
You should also be able to identify the different individuals, personalities, and group dynamics. By the end of the activity, you will realize just how similar human beings are with gorillas and the more reason why we should protect them at all costs. Permits for gorilla tracking cost $400.
OTHER ACTIVITIES DONE IN KAHUZI BEIGA NP
Nature Walks
The Park now has well-established trails that take you to see the primates and birds. These are the same trails used for tracking the gorillas and border patrols by the park rangers. In the company of experienced park guides, you can use the Marais Musisi Trail or use the Tshibati Waterfalls Attractions in Kahuzi-Biega National ParkTrail that go through swamps, bamboo forests, and 3 beautiful waterfalls. Watch out for primates like chimpanzees and small monkeys.
Mountain hiking
Hiking up to the summit of Mount Kahuzi offers breathtaking views of the town of Bukavu and Lake Kivu. Reaching the summit (3,308 meters) takes about four hours while climbing down takes three hours. Why climbing and descending, you will bypass sub-alpine vegetation and bamboo forests filled with birds and other creatures. Mount Biega is 2790 meters high and it takes about six hours to climb up and down the mountain. The vegetation spotted while climbing up mount Biega is quite different from that found in Mount Kahuzi. Another mountain suitable for hiking is Mount Bugulumiza. At 2400 m high it offers great views of the surrounding landscape including the mountains Biega and Kahuzi as well as the vast tropical rain forests of the park. Climbing up and down mount Bugulumiza takes 3 hours.
Birdwatching
There are morning and evening birding schedules to spot species like the African green broadbill, Congo peafowl, and yellow-crested helmet-shrike among others. Bird-watching can be done during the forest and nature walks.
Visiting the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre
This center is close to the park headquarters. The Centre takes care of chimpanzees and other small primates that have lost their parents mainly due to poaching. This center offers opportunities to volunteer and learn about primates and their conservation.
Getting there
Before traveling to Kahuzi Biega National Park, one needs to acquire a Congo Visa. Apart from Identification documents, Visa, and park entrance fees, one will also need an invitation from the park to be allowed inside. This is a different procedure from that followed by parks outside DR Congo. The volatile situation in the Eastern part of the country has led to stringent security measures to protect the park, its officials, and tourists. Crossing to Congo is also strictly supervised compared to Uganda, Rwanda, or Kenya. The best way to cross the border is to arrange your tour with a tour company. If you are alone you need to move with an individual known to the Congolese border officials.
There are two options to get to Kahuzi-Biega National Park but either way, you need to get to Goma or pass through Cyangungu from Rwanda;
Get to Goma and take a fast ferry from Goma to Bukavu, covering a distance of 100 kilometers in 2 hours and 45 minutes and that is the quickest option available. The ferry operates twice daily (7:30 am and 2 Pm).
The other option is traveling by road; the distance by road between Goma and Bukavu is 209 kilometers and will take you 3 hours and 30 minutes with some difficult stretches of the road between Kalehe and Kabibwi.
Once in Bukavu, you will most probably need a place to stay for the night and there are various reasonable places to stay. The next morning, you take a speed boat from Bukavu to Kahuzi-Biega National Park where you will be collected by the park staff and proceed for your day’s planned activity. The same boat returns in the afternoon to Bukavu.
Accommodation
L’orchids Safari Club
Coco Lodge Bukavu
Hotel Begonias Bukavu
Lake Side Hotel Bukavu
Exodus Bukavu
In conclusion, the 4×4 Safari jeep will ensure you get to the destination on time to enjoy the gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Read MoreGuide to Budget Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo
Budget gorilla trekking within the Democratic Republic of Congo is a wonderful chance of seeing two distinct gorilla sub-species (Eastern lowland and mountain gorillas), to tell their differences. These trips lead travelers to Kahuzi-Biega National Park for lowland gorilla trekking as well as Virunga National Park for mountain gorilla trekking.
Best budget gorilla trekking tours in Virunga National Park
Typical budget gorilla trekking tours in Virunga National Park, the oldest Park in Africa introduce travelers to some of the giant Ape groups found here. So far, 8 habituated groups are open for travelers – Mapuwa, Lulengo, Kabirizi, Humba, Kabirizi, Bageni, Munyaga, and Nyakamwe. Daily treks begin at Bukima Ranger Post with a briefing on the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking adventures, then placement into the group with whom you will spend some wonderful time observing and photographing. Be prepared for 1-5 hours of trekking then one hour of interaction.
When it comes to accommodation options, the midrange Bukima Tented Camp and Kibumba Tented Camp as well as Tchegera Island Camp are some of the places preferred by budget gorilla trekkers in this magnificent Protected Area.
Budget gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Budget gorilla trekking tours in Kahuzi-Biega National Park are conducted for the incredible Eastern lowland gorillas, the largest gorilla sub-species only found in this country. The 6000-square kilometer Park shelters a number of lowland gorilla groups but 5 are fully habituated for trekking – Nganwa, Moungwe, Bonnani, Mugaruka, and Chimanuka. Budget places of lodging by visitors here are Orchids’ Safari Club, Coco Lodge Bukavu, and so many others.
Securing gorilla permits for budget gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
If the price of gorilla permits are to go by, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the best destination for budget gorilla trekking, costing $400 per person and can be secured via the ICCN Head offices in Bukavu or Goma Town.
Best time for budget gorilla trekking tours
Budget gorilla trekking within Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are enjoyed throughout the year but the high season is June to September or December to February when demand for gorilla permits is high. These months are the busiest because most travelers are drawn to the drier hiking trails and more accessible park roads attributed to the little or total absence of rains.
Regardless of the season, travelers have to pack lightweight rain jackets, sturdy hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, long safari pants, a good camera, safari hat, snacks, water bottles, binoculars, sunglasses, gardening gloves, and many others.
Read MoreWhat to pack for a Gorilla Trek in DR. Congo?
In Virunga National Park, it pays to prepare well for a gorilla trek. Hiking through mountainous, equatorial rain forests can be muddy. It can be hot and humid with occasional short downpours too, so appropriate clothing, good hiking boots, and gear like poles and gaiter, all add up to a comfortable trek. It is a bucket list experience precisely because it is not easy to get close to gorillas in the wild, but when you do, you will be excited and more than thrilled once you look into the beautiful brown eyes of mountain gorillas.
Planning or packing for a gorilla safari is a stressful experience sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be. Going into it with a clear idea of what you will want and need for the vacation at hand will make the planning that much easier for you.
Prepare a list of things to bring; a list of items can vary widely depending on the type of safari trip you are planning. You should start packing for a trip a few days before you are scheduled to leave. That way you have some time to think about anything you might be forgetting and you will not need to rush around at the last minute.
If you have lots of different types of activities you plan to do like the Nyiragongo hike and gorilla trekking experience, which means you have a fair amount of gear you need to pack into your suitcase. Keep your clothing organised in compartments based on outfit type or activity by using packing cubes. You can start with the basics like lightweight clothing that can be layered, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters or fleece jacket, t-shirts and tank tops, pants, and shits among others.
Certain things like an extra set of clothes are recommended across the board, while other things can be brought or left depending on the type of place you are going to be.
Here is a list of things to consider bringing on a safari to Congo.
- Start by collecting all of your important documents in a travel document organizer. The travel organiser holds a passport, documents, a boarding pass, pen, photo Id bank card including credit card for emergency situations, yellow fever vaccination card, which are necessary to bring along whenever you are traveling abroad. This will help ensure you have everything you need to get from one place to the next.
- As soon as you book a trip, it is a good idea to double-check that your passports and IDs are not expired and that they will not expire while you are traveling internationally. Also consider emailing yourself a copy of your passport, driver’s license, medical cards, and itinerary, so if anything happens to them you will be able to access them online.
- Clothes for a weekend trip, a fresh set of clothing should be considered necessary. You will want to feel fresh on the second and third day of being away from home and in the case that your first set of clothes gets wet or dirty; you will want something to fall back on. The same applies to socks and underwear. Bring heavier clothing, like a jacket, based on the forecasted weather.
- Pack to suit the weather, your packing should be arranged with respect to your safari activities and the environment of that destination. Because your trip will only encompass a couple of days, it is prudent to check the weather forecast for those days and plan accordingly.
- If there is going to be rain, the clothes you bring should reflect that. In case of the sun, bringing sunglasses and sunscreen will be helpful too. Cold weather demands you to bring heavier clothing like winter jackets and warm clothes.
- Toiletries like toothpaste and toothbrush should be deemed essential for your trip. If the place you are going has running water, then a small vial of shampoo and conditioner should be brought along as well to ensure you are feeling fresh throughout the trip.
- Keep possible emergencies in mind, under the nest circumstances; carry a small bit of first – aid along with your toiletries. This includes some band-aids, aloe vera, and headache relievers. These will take up a negligible amount of space and you will be glad you bought them if it comes time to use them.
- Pack lightly for a safari trip, you are more like to overpack that under. Unless you are going camping, you won’t need much to hold you over for a weekend, and carrying too much stuff around will sap some of the enjoyment of travel, to begin with. If you can see how much you can minimize the amount of stuff you bring and try to fit it all into a backpack.
- Some bathing suits, as well as shorts and tank tops. At most beaches, it’s usually warm, so try to wear loose-fitting clothes that are comfortable to wear in the heat. Despite this, it can get cool at night, so having a sweatshirt or hoodie is good to pack as well.
5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in DR Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo boasts of some of the largest, very biodiverse and most endangered wildlife reserves on Earth. This country has everything you would ever desire in a destination. Takes prides in the natural sites with extraordinarily abundant biodiversity making it the richest/wealthiest country in the African Continent in terms of flora and fauna. The country’s biodiversity has been carefully Protected and conserved in some of the Reserves that are declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to their ecological and biological importance. Most importantly, DRC has five (5) wonderful World heritage Sites and they include;
Garamba National Park
Garamba National Park was established in 1938, making it one of the oldest National parks within the African continent and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. It is characterized by large expanses of guinea savannah and open woodlands. Not only that, its Landscape is covered by several permanent water bodies that support the thriving of the abundant plants and animal species. Interestingly, the Park is a haven to some of Africa’s iconic wildlife species such as the elephants, White Rhinos, the Congo giraffe, Hippos, spotted hyenas, African lions and Common chimpanzees. However, only 30 white Rhinos are left within the National Park due to the high rate of poaching. Nonetheless, Garamba National Park is important due to its strategic location in the transition zone between the thick and humid forest ecosystems and the savannah. Conservation of this park is sometimes hindered by numerous rebel groups and poaching still remains one of the great threats to its conservation and sustainability.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
This National Park was established in 1970 mainly to protect the endangered Eastern lowland gorillas that are only found within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kahuzi-Biega was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and the Park shelters a mountain range dominated by the inactive Peaks of Mount Kahuzi and Biega. This Park covers an area of 36,000 square kilometers, borders the Congo Basin and the Albertine Rift and is characterized by thick lowland rainforest and montane forests. These Forests offer haven to the native eastern lowland gorillas, the Red-faced chimpanzees and the small forest elephants among other interesting wildlife species. However, the Park is threatened by illegal mining and agricultural activities that degrade the Park’s habitats. Not only that, rebel groups also impede on the effective conservation of the park making the Park endangered.
Salonga Forest National Park
Salonga National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and stretches for 36,000 square kilometers in the Congo River Basin making it the second largest Forest National Park. It offers shelter to the thick rainforest and only reachable by either air or water transport. It is popular for offering shelter to exceptional species like the Dwarf chimpanzees, the Slender-snouted crocodiles (also known as the false crocodiles), Forest Elephants and the native Bonobos as well as exceptional birds such as the Congo peacock. Salongo rainforest is also known for the environmental significance for climate regulation and absorption of carbon. This Park is a haven to a population of the native pygmies and other local communities. However, the Park and its wildlife are threatened by rebel activities and poaching but several efforts are being taken to address these challenges.
Virunga National Park
The Virunga National Park is the oldest national park in Africa. It is one of the most famous destinations for gorilla safaris and frequented by tourists. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and extends for 7800 square kilometers from the Southern side of Virunga Mountains to the Northern end of the Rwenzori Mountains. This park is a haven to a number of ecosystems that include the wetlands/swamps, steppe, the Afro-montane forests, the snowfields, savannah, lava plains and the Afro-alpine vegetation.
These ecosystems support abundant biodiversity species including the critically endangered mountain gorillas, forest buffaloes, the Common chimpanzees, the forest elephants, Hippos, over 78 species of Amphibians and more than 700 species of birds. Conservation of this Park and its wildlife species was threatened by deforestation resulting from rebel activities, encroachment by the local communities and high rate of poaching.
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
This Wildlife Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It comprises of almost one-fifth of the ituri Forest found in the North-eastern side of the country. Ituri Forest currently shelters a number endemic wildlife species including the Okapi. It was established in 1992 mainly to protect the nice looking forest giraffes known as the Okapi. Not only that, it is a home to the forest elephants, the forest buffaloes and the Bonobos. It is also a haven to the native Mbuti and Efe pygmies and the forest is culturally important to them. Much as the conservation of the Wildlife Reserve is well taken care of, threats such as poaching, rebel activities and encroachment still affects the habitats and wildlife species.
In conclusion, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a home to five UNSECO World Heritage Sites including Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Virunga National Park, Salonga Forest National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Garamba National Park with exceptional wildlife and bird species.
Read MoreTwin Baby Gorillas Born in Virunga National Park
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the entire tourism sector and Conservationists have been overfilled by joy as the Virunga National Park welcomes twin baby gorillas. While game rangers were carrying out inspections in the tropical rain forest of the Virunga National Park, they spotted an adult female gorilla from the Nyakamwe gorilla family group holding her newly-born twin babies.
Due to the fact that primate national parks and savannah national parks were at standstill, the game rangers and game guides continued inspecting the national parks to protect mountain gorillas and other wildlife species not only in Rwanda but also in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gato the female gorilla mother of the new twins and the other new birth rates that were recorded on 21st September resulted into a total population of 16 individuals in the Nyakamwe gorilla Family. However on 23rd August 2020, a new gorilla birth was recorded in the Mapuwa group and on 2nd July 2020, the Baraka gorilla group also recorded a newborn baby gorilla.
The new gorilla births not only excited the park authorities but also other conservation stakeholders as well as tourists. Due to the fact that coronavirus broke up, not only was Virunga national park suspended but also Mgahinga national park, Bwindi Impenetrable national park in Uganda, and volcano national park in Rwanda. The Virunga National Park inhabits 8 gorilla family groups and these are Nyakamwe, Munyaga gorilla family, Mapuwa group, Rugendo, Bageni, Kabirizi gorilla family, and Lulengo gorilla family.
More about Virunga national parks.
Virunga National Park is a park in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was created in 1925 and is among the first protected areas in Africa. In elevation, it ranges from 680 m in the Semliki River valley to 5,109 m in the Rwenzori Mountains.
The Virunga national park is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo which is well known as one of the insecure countries because of wars. These wars have affected their tourism sector because most of the visitors feel insecure about losing their lives just like 12 rangers that have been killed by suspected members of a Rwandan rebel group in Virunga national park. However, some areas in Virunga National Park are secure for gorilla trekking because the authorities have deployed security guards to protect the visitors as well as mountain gorillas.
Read MoreExperience Congo Gorillas & Lake Kivu
Congo is found in Central Africa and is under the president called Joseph Kabila. Though gorilla trekking in Congo is not at a high level, there are a few places where gorilla trek can be practiced in.
One of the most famous places for gorilla trekking in Congo is the Virunga national park. The park stretches from the Virunga Mountains in the South to the Rwenzori Mountains in the North and it was the first established national park in Africa in 1925.
For anyone to go gorilla trekking while in Congo, the best place should be Virunga national park. Gorilla trekking tours in Virunga national park is more enjoyable when you travel with us but if it comes that you are from far or even when you are in Congo yet you want a safari, you don’t have to worry for there are the best companies in Africa Nature Adventure Africa Safaris which will provide you with cars on agreed price between you and them.
This company ranked one of the best companies in Africa due to its best services to tourists who explore Africa.
To book a safari
You will need to talk to each other and you both agree before you are given a vehicle. You will talk to the company consultant Moses who will tell you the rules and regulations you will need to follow before you go on safari and some of the rules include:
The vehicle will be inspected before you take it in that to ensure that you enjoy the safari.
After agreeing with your safari consultant, you will need to pay at least a 30% booking fee in order for you to secure your booking simply because the company is ever busy and the balance is paid on your arrival. The company also offers trained driver guides who will offer you the best information about the tourist destination.
After securing your tour, they will also book for you the best places you can stay before and after gorilla trekking. One of the best places around the Virunga National Park is the Mikeno Lodge which is found in the center of Virunga with spectacular views of the forest, Nyiragongo, and the Mikeno volcanoes. The lodge is one of the best places to stay in while in Congo but there are also other places you can stay during your gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park such as Lulimbi Tented Camp, Bukima Tented Camp, Tchegera Island Tented Camp, and Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelter plus many more but all these will be organized for you even when you are still in your homeland whereby by your arrival after when you have completed all your bills, they will just take you to the place where you will rest from.
The following day you will then wake up take a bath or brush your teeth and take your breakfast which is offered to you in one of the lodges you will be in, and after you will depart to the park where you will be given well-trained park guides to help you through the gorilla trekking activity.
Gorilla trekking is one of the most enjoyable activities to practice while in the park but this activity takes place very early in the morning when the gorillas have just woken up being trekking of gorillas in the morning the easiest way of seeing gorillas.
Gorillas are seen from a certain distance like at least 8m away from them to prevent inconveniences like gorillas can get some air diseases of humans and this is why they are viewed from a certain distance. After your gorilla trekking, you will then go back to your lodge and take a rest.
After the gorilla trekking in Congo, you can also extend your tour and take a holiday at Lake Kivu where you will enjoy many things from there and even learn more. You will find local fishermen at the lake when some are even fishing and in terms of enjoyment, you can also get hooks from the anglers and you also start fishing though it is very difficult for an inexperienced person to get even a single fish. By any chance of getting a fish, some of the species caught include tilapia, Nile perch, and so many other species.
You will learn many things which are done from the Lake such as methane extraction which takes place at Lake Kivu.
You will also be able to see the 10th largest island in the whole world (Idjwi) which is also found on that particular Lake (Lake Kivu). The Lake lies on the border between Rwanda and Congo and is also in the Albertine Rift Valley. It empties into River Ruzizi.
Therefore, while in Congo for gorilla trekking, you are advised to prolong your holiday at Lake Kivu where you will get involved in many activities such as boat drives, fishing, and bird watching among others.
Read MoreCongo Gorillas & Nyiragongo Trek
Planning to explore Congo mountain gorillas and hike Nyiragongo volcano all in Virunga national park? Select the gorilla trekking tour & Nyiragongo trek Climbing offered to you to enjoy the gorilla watching in the wild. Congo gorilla tour will start from Kigali international airport and may end either in Goma or Kigali Again depending on the travelers interests and needs (Tailor Made Safari) Travel with experts from Eco Tours Rwanda to customize the gorilla safari adventure in Democratic republic of Congo. Democratic republic of Congo has been the top Destination for gorilla trekking at the cheap Gorilla Permit of Only 400 USD.
Are you looking to a great expedition in Africa, Enjoy the discounted Gorilla tours to Congo with Experienced tour Guides. Congo gorilla safaris can be tailored to make an extra ordinary gorilla trek in Africa either visiting the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega national park or mountain gorilla trek & Nyiragongo hike in Virunga Park with extension to multi country adventures.
On your arrival to Kigali international airport, you will be picked up by our professional driver guide who will transfer you to Mikeno Lodge in Rumangabo in DRC. The drive journey of about 3-4 hours without en-route stopovers to Mikeno lodge in Virunga national park will take through majestic landscape sceneries venerated with unique natural setting and local populations. On arrival to the park, you will advance to the lodge to check-in, have dinner and overnight.
After an early morning relaxed breakfast, you will be driven to the Bukima park station in the Virunga National Park area where trekkers assemble at 7:00am to be allocated a gorilla group, be briefed on how to ”behave” while staying with a gorilla group. After the briefing, you will proceed to the appropriate starting point for the trek to confront the gorilla group you have been allocated. The length of the trek varies depending on movements of the gorillas as well as weather conditions. Meeting these gentle giants in their natural habitat is a unique and wonderful experience. When you meet these ape species, you will be given one hour to observe and take photos of these stunning Apes. After the one magical hour allocated to you, you will retire back to the trekking base and thereafter retreat back to your hotel/lodge for the late lunch, relaxation.
Nyiragongo Volcano Hike; wake up very early in the morning ready to cross the border for the most memorable safari activity loved by travelers in Virunga National park. we understand the Congo border crossing may give you hard time but the guide will be there ready to help you cross the border smoothly and later, you will be transferred to Kibati the starting point for Nyiragongo Hiking and you should be there by 9:00am as the Climbing activity may last for 5-6 hours depending on the size of the group and the speed of the group hiking. All travelers booked with Eco Tours Rwanda will include Mikeno package that will include all the important items to be used by hikers, reach at the top and view the top lava crater of Nyiragongo volcano. Dinner and overnight Nyiragongo Cabins Tented based on full board meals on the day.
Descend Nyiragongo & Transfer to Gisenyi. You will be offered simple breakfast by our chief from Mikeno lodge and start to descend downhill and reach at the starting point at around 11:00am and drive to Goma( if lucky enough visit the Congo caves in Goma) and later transfer to cross the border to Rwanda, Transfer to Kigali for the flight back home.
Read MoreBest Time to Book a Budget Gorilla Trek
Enjoy great discounts on Congo gorilla tracking tours from mid March to mid May every year, the cheapest time for Congo holidays. Congo is one of the fine gorilla trekking destinations in Central Africa with the cheapest gorilla permits for only $200 dollars. The country is safe for tourism and open year round for whoever is ready to explore the countries natural wonders.
Knowing when to book a budget gorilla tours can make the difference when it comes to price you pay for a particular holiday. For those planning to track gorillas in Congo this year, March- May are the best times to travel on budget and save big. Besides, you can trek gorillas and also hike the thrilling active volcanoes of Nyiragongo and Nyramulagira. If Chimpanzee trekking is also part of your trip, all amazing tour adventures can be done in Virunga National Park at the most affordable rates ever and you return back home happy with exciting memories to cherish for life.
However, the best time for cheap gorilla safaris varies from national parks and seasons. As it’s known that Democratic republic of Congo is a home of gorillas as well as other neighboring countries, Uganda and Rwanda but the cost of gorilla trekking permits differs for all the three countries yet the experience is the same. Low season month gorilla permits go for $750 in Rwanda, $450 for Uganda and $200 for Democratic Republic of Congo.
While other months of the year, Rwanda Permits cost $750, $600 for Uganda and Congo $400 hence finding Congo the cheapest. Whether you’re you looking to track gorillas twice in different destinations or once, Congo is the cheapest gorilla trekking destination that you should set eyes on for budget gorilla trekking tours in Africa. Besides, Congo works for many who travel on tight budgets yet their travel dreams are multiple.
Manage well your travel budget and use same trips to create other amazing trips in other travel destinations of your interest. Visiting destinations in off season months will definitely enable you spend less and experience the big part of the world. If gorilla trekking in Africa is your dream trip, make sure you plan your trek around mid march to mid may and get it done at a pocket friendly cost. Adventure travelers and primate lovers all over the world visit Congo to enjoy its rich biodiversity of gorillas, Nyiragongo hike, impressive views, delicious cuisine, stunning landscape, historic monuments and some of the wonderful cultures.
According to researchers, Virunga National Park endangered gorillas and Kahuzi Beiga National Park low land gorillas are the most amazing and attractive and tourists who visit these parks find them earlier than expected. The park hikes are manageable and easy for those in good shape and those with minimum fitness. Don’t miss the active dazzling volcanoes with the most wonderful views of the Crater Lake and Magma. A hike to Nyiragongo take you direct to the top of the world a rare experience to find any where else other than in Democratic republic of Congo.
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