How Safe And Easy Is Boarder Crossing Between Uganda And DRC For Gorilla Trekking In Congo

In recent years, the security at the border of Uganda and D.R.Congo has been shaky due to the rebel activities in this area. To cross into D.R.Congo from Uganda, you can use the Bunagana Border. Gorilla trekking in D.R.Congo happens in Virunga National Park, where about six gorilla families are currently open for gorilla trekking. Some of these gorilla families include Munyaga gorilla family, Kabirizi gorilla family, Mapuwa gorilla family, Rugendo gorilla family, Humba gorilla family, and Lulengo gorilla family.

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The gorilla trekking safaris in Virunga National Park and rebel activities often disrupt the gorilla habituation process in this park.

You must possess a gorilla permit to trek in Virunga National Park. The gorilla permits for Virunga National Park are purchased on the ground. You need to secure transport to Virunga National Park, but the primary means to get there from Uganda is by road via the Bunagana border.

The Virunga National Park is an ancient forest and a biosphere reserve that hosts various Fauna and flora. Other than the mountain gorillas, the Vurunga forest is home to other primate species like olive baboons, De Brazaa monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Hamlyn's monkey, blue monkeys, chimpanzees, grey-cheeked mangabey, and others.

Many birds find home in Virunga National Park, including Albertine rift endemics. During the gorilla trekking safari in this park, keen birders may spot birds like Handsome Francolin, Rwenzori Batis, African Hill Babbler, Western Green Tinkerbird, Mountain Masked Apalises, Alpine Chat and others.

How do you book Gorilla permits for Virunga National Park from Uganda?

Since gorilla permits for Virunga National Park cannot be pre-booked as of now, you can only check availability and make payments on arrival at Institut Congolais Pour La Conservation De La Nature( ICCN)

How Much is a gorilla permit for Virunga National Park?

The cost of gorilla trekking permits for Virunga National Park is about $450 per person per trek.

This cost includes park entrance, mountain gorilla conservation, security, certificate, and one hour with the mountain gorillas.

When is the best time for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, D.R. Congo?

Any time of the year is open for gorilla trekking safari in Virunga National Park; however, the dry season is most preferred. Although the Virunga area receives untimely rains regardless of the season, the dry season is considerably drier. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, and January. The forest may receive lesser precipitation this season as more sunlight is let in through the dense canopy.

Walking on the trails within the Virunga area is more possible during the dry season as the rivers are confined within their course. The forest undergrowth is not growing widely, creating a more straightforward path for walking through the forest.

Mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers are full of life and may be quicker to spot through the misty vegetation.

A first come, first served basis is used to purchase gorilla permits for Virunga National Park, yet the dry season is considerably the peak tourism period. The earlier you plan the Virunga National Park tour, the better you can secure other safari logistics.

The wet season, usually the low season, may give you more chances to get gorilla permits for Virunga National Park at the last minute. There is generally less gorilla permit competition, and chances of going solo on a gorilla tour are more open. The low season for gorilla safaris is usually March, April, May, and November.

 How safe is gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park?

The Virunga area in the eastern part of D.R.Congo normally receives political instability from the rebel activities in the forests in this area. Before booking the gorilla trekking safari in Virunga forest, you must establish its stability.

How long is gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park?

The gorilla trekking safaris in Virunga National Park take an unknown time, depending on where the mountain gorillas may spend their day. Locating the mountain gorillas may depend on weather conditions during the day, the location of the feeding area, the pace of fellow tourists, and other factors.

When you find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them. Viewing the mountain gorillas is restricted to one hour because human presence interferes with the daily life of these primates. During the day, mountain gorillas have to feed to support their bulky bodies throughout the day and night, groom their infants, lactate their infants, and much more.

After the hour of gorilla trekking, walk away stealthily without getting recognized.

How Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking In Virunga National Park?

The general topography of the Virunga area is volcanic, with highlands like plateaus and ridges on whose slopes these primates may spend their day. These highlands are covered by lush green vegetation that has accumulated over a long period. Sometimes, you may be required to hike and find the mountain gorillas. The ranger guide carrying a machete helps trim the creepers to create a way.

The paths in the Virunga area may be soggy and boggy from the regular fall rains, yet less sunlight is let in through the dense forest. You must wear the proper gorilla safari gear like safari boots, long-sleeved shirts, and trousers to protect your body from the tough surfaces in the jungle.

Having some fitness level helps you get where the mountain gorillas may be spending the day.

Hiring a porter before walking in the forest saves you from slowing down as you search for the mountain gorillas. A porter is a local person who helps you with your bags at a friendly price, as this is one way they earn their living. Some porters are reformed poachers trained to love protecting the mountain gorillas, other inhabitants, and the Virunga forest. The porter may also give you a push when you are tired.

You can also pack some snacks to munch on during the breaks that you take during the gorilla trek. You get to re-energize and rehydrate while searching for the mountain gorillas in the jungle.

Virunga National Pack's security is sometimes unreliable, so before booking a gorilla safari, you need to consider this too.

How Dangerous Are Mountain Gorillas In Virunga National Park?

In general, mountain gorillas are not aggressive primates. They are naturally shy and serene despite their aggressive, frightening outlook. Physically, mountain gorillas have dark-furred bodies and a large body structure. Their knuckle-style locomotion makes them intimidating to be with. At a glance, the mountain gorillas look scary, too.

Mountain gorillas have an identity that is mismatched to their actual traits. When agitated, mountain gorillas normally move into the deeper ends of the forest. This, however, doesn't mean you provoke them because the mountain gorillas can charge.

When they charge, mountain gorillas normally thump their shirts, pull grass around them, walk on one foot, and so much more. Every time you witness this mountain gorilla behavior, it doesn't mean you are the reason why. Stay and wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter. Sometimes, it is a hierarchy fight in the gorilla family, an attack from another family, or the silverback may try to tease visitors. Follow the guidelines and instructions given by the ranger guides.

How sure can I see the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park?

When Virunga National Park is stable, be sure to see the mountain gorillas because, so far, six gorilla families are fully habituated in this forest. The ranger guides lead the way after the briefing, following the path to where the gorilla family you are allocated to was last seen the previous day.

Even the gorilla families opened for trekking in Virunga National Park are first habituated by researchers to help them get used to the presence of humans for at least one hour. These mountain gorillas also go through mock tests before proving them ready for the public to visit.

Every tourist is requested to follow gorilla trekking guidelines, like talking in a low tone to find the mountain gorillas so that they are not scared by your presence. Note that the mountain gorillas usually get to know about your presence before you locate them because, like humans, they operate a spy network.

The ranger guides of Virunga National Park patrol the forest early each morning to establish where the mountain gorillas may have nested and day hangout spots. Some of these clues are what rangers leading the gorilla tour use to trace the mountain gorillas.

To spice up the gorilla trek, tourists are requested to participate by helping in searching for the mountain gorillas using clues left behind like fresh dung, freshly chewed-on foliage, footprints, listening to their sounds, and much more. These help you to know how close you are getting to the location where the mountain gorillas may be.

When you find the mountain gorillas, stay in a tight group to avoid making them feel ambushed. Do not stare into their darkened sunken brow eyes because they are shy, which may push them into the deeper ends of the forest.

Never use flash photography on the mountain gorillas as this may scare them, yet only one hour is allowed with them. Human presence disrupts the daily life of the mountain gorillas, so it is strictly minimized to one hour.

What Else Can I See During Gorilla Trekking In Virunga National Park?

Besides the mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park is a pristine forest that hosts primates like blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheekedngabey, red-tailed monkeys, and vervet monkeys,s. The long list of birds recorded as residents of Virunga National Park is exceptional, including Albertine rift endemics.

Virunga National Park also has a number of amazing highlands draped by lush green vegetation that is stunning to look at. The dense forest canopy undulating on the rugged highlands is eye-captivating. On the way to see the mountain gorillas, you may encounter sparkling waterfalls and a dense network of rivers crisscrossing the forest. Watch out for other forest inhabitants that may cross your way.

What are the Rules for Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park?

• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the mountain gorillas when you locate them. This is to prevent chances of passing an infection to these primates, as they are highly susceptible to infectious diseases like flu, cough, COVID-19, and others.
• If you are sick with a contagious infection, volunteer to stay behind so as not to pass it to the endangered mountain gorillas.
• If you want to eat or drink before the mountain gorillas, do it at least 300 meters away from them. They are wild animals that must search for their food.
• The age limit for gorilla safari is 15 years and beyond. This is because the way to locate the mountain gorillas has rugged topography, which sometimes requires hiking to find them.
• Only go into the forest with an escorting ranger guide. Although the mountain gorillas are fully habituated to human presence, some forest dwellers are not and may be dangerous to you alone.
• When defecating, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole at least 30 centimeters deep and cover well beyond recognition.
• Stay in a tight group with the mountain gorillas because surrounding them may cause them to feel ambushed.
• Please don't attempt to provoke the mountain gorillas because they are wild animals habituated to human presence. They still possess wild behaviors.
• When taking photos, do it with a flash-less camera to not scare the mountain gorillas; they are often frightened by unfamiliar occurrences in their presence.
• When tracking the mountain gorillas, keep your voice low not to scare them and other forest dwellers, which may be interesting to add to your wildlife photo collection.
• Never dump garbage in the wilderness, as this alters the nature of the forest where mountain gorillas live.     

Contact us to plan your safari to Virunga National Park to visit the gorillas today.