Compare the price of gorilla permits in Volcanoes National Park with Virunga National Park in Congo

Compare the price of gorilla permits in Volcanoes National Park with Virunga National Park in Congo, Gorilla trekking is much cheaper in Virunga National Park in Congo compared to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. This issue of price difference is basically out of policy difference between these two countries Congo and Rwanda. Congo is trying to promote its gorilla tourism to attract more travelers after a long turmoil in the region that caused a lot of insecurity this is evident with the very fair low gorilla permits prices and accommodation rates. Whereas Rwanda is promoting its self as the preferred luxury destination for gorilla trekking in Africa looking the gorilla permit price and the luxury lodges set up in Volcanoes National Park. However the experience and duration spent with gorillas is still the same in both Rwanda and Congo?

The Gorilla permit for trekking in Volcanoes National Park Costs $1500 Per person per trek for the Foreign non residents, $500 Per person for foreign residents and $200 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda has 12 Gorilla families hence 96 Gorilla permits are available each day for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Getting gorilla permits in Rwanda can be done directly by booking them through Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator in Rwanda Encounter Africa Safaris

A gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs $400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then $200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year. A gorilla permit in Kahuzi Beiga National Park costs $400 for foreign non residents, $200 for East Africa Residents and $20 national resident. Getting gorilla permits in Congo can be done directly by booking them through Virunga National Park or through a trusted tour operator in Congo Encounter Africa Safaris.

Compare the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park with Virunga National Park in Congo?

The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park is 15 years where for Virunga National Park in Congo is 18 years and the maximum age is 85 years depending on fitness levels. Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible in Volcanoes National Park through provision of sedan chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the sedan chair can done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.

In terms of the gorilla trekking permits booking process for Volcanoes National Park with Virunga National Park in Congo.

The process of booking Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo Mountain gorilla permits is very easy once you contact us on email about your planned trek and preferred date. The gorilla permit has to be purchased in advance to secure a spot for your trek for any date depending on your travel dates and availability of the permits that day. Gorilla tracking is done in a group of eight visitors per in company of Park guides, rangers and Porters. To secure a place for a day’s gorilla trek you will need to secure your gorilla permit in advance months or days prior visiting the Park. When you book an all-inclusive Gorilla safari to Volcanoes National Park or Virunga National Park in Congo with Encounter Africa Safaris, All you need to do is to send us your actual dates when you prefer trekking gorillas and we will check availability of permits online. We will reserve your permit tentatively and send you a permit payment invoice. Once you make payment, we will go ahead and secure your permit and thereafter send you scanned copies of receipts from Virunga National Park Authority and Rwanda Development Board for Volcanoes National Park.

You can choose the gorillas trek date on your birthday date, anniversary date, Christmas date, Easter date or any date that you most prefer to create an everlasting memory. We shall purchase and book the permit for that date depending on availability. All this needs to be done months or weeks in advance.

Comparing what to pack for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park with Virunga National Park in Congo

During gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo the packing items are the same you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots.  Conditions are generally very muddy in the forest when it is raining. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous.  It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants.  Suggested Items to pack for Gorilla trekking;

•             Insect Repellent                      

•             Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries

•             Wet Wipes                             

•             Water Bottle                                  

•             Camera, lenses etc

•             Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks           

•             Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking

•             Sandals/strops/walking shoes    

•             Hat and Sunscreen

•             Rain Jacket

•             Sweater/fleece

•             Swimwear

•             Binoculars (game/bird watching)

Best time for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with Virunga National Park in Congo

Both parks are open for gorilla trekking all year round but it is also important to note that both are located within the tropics and it can receive rain at any time. The best months to track gorillas include; June to August and December to February since they receive the lowest rainfall and the forest is less slippery. On the other hand, when you happen to travel during March to May and November there are chances of higher rainfall, you will be able to get discounts from some lodges for your accommodation.

Why book your gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park with Virunga National Park in Congo in Congo with Encounter Africa Safaris

Founded in 2003, Encounter Africa safaris takes pride in customizing tailor made safaris. It has a very diligent and trust worthy team. Your queries are answered within 20minutes by our team of professional tour consultants. These consultants will make you a travel plan for you, answer to all your questions and make sure all your services are booked in advance for you to avoid inconveniences. We also have very knowledgeable safari guides depending on your language preferences. There some Mountain Gorilla safari Packages to Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi impenetrable National Park and these include; the 2 day Gorilla safari, the 3 day Gorilla safari, 4 Day Gorilla safari, it all depends on your preference. Feel free to contact us.