Cost of a Congo gorilla trip to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cost of a Congo gorilla trip to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Congo Gorilla Cost Expedition to the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — Embarking on a journey to discover the majestic mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, Congo, involves a variety of expenses, including the Congo gorilla permit, tourist visa, transportation, accommodation, meals, and a reasonable company service charge. Virunga National Park is renowned as one of the earliest national parks on the continent and is home to one of the most diverse tropical rainforests in Africa. This park is renowned for its mountain gorilla trekking in the Congo and provides a variety of activities, including a hike up the Nyirangongo volcano, bird viewing, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, and habituation experiences.
Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among the few countries worldwide that are home to mountain gorillas. Each of these nations has its own distinctive national park, where these magnificent creatures are housed. Mountain gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Virunga National Park is the habitat of Congo’s mountain gorillas. These parks are situated in close proximity to one another, comprising the Virunga Massif.
Ten habituated gorilla families are located within Virunga National Park and are exclusively accessible for tourism and monitoring purposes. The precise number of gorillas is uncertain due to the region’s instabilities; however, the most recent census estimated that their population exceeds 100, including approximately seven infants.
The cost of a Congo gorilla trekking permit in Virunga National Park is as follows:
In Congo, gorilla trekking is predominantly conducted in Kahuzi Beiga National Park and Virunga National Park). A gorilla permit is required for traversing mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, similar to the requirements for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Trek Africa Expeditions provides exhaustive information on the booking of gorilla permits in Congo, ensuring that your gorilla safari is planned efficiently. Our Congo gorilla excursions eliminate the hassle of permit booking by managing availability checks, bookings, and purchases on your behalf. It is recommended that you procure a gorilla permit at least five months in advance of your visit. It is advisable to pay the gorilla permit charge in advance to ensure that the permit is obtained in a timely manner.
Gorilla trekking is a daily occurrence in Virunga National Park, with permit fees that fluctuate according to the season. The permit is priced at USD400 per person per trek from mid-December to mid-March and June to October, which are the peak season months. In contrast, the permit fee is USD200 per person per trek during the low season months of mid-March to mid-May and mid-October to mid-December. Trek Africa Expeditions provides transparent pricing for all-inclusive gorilla tour itineraries, including budget and luxury options. The 2-day excursion from Kigali is included in our packages, which include gorilla permits, transportation, accommodation, meals, and guide services. These packages are designed to accommodate a wide range of preferences and budgets.
The optimal period for gorilla trekking in the Congo is as follows:
Virunga National Park is subject to a tropical climate that is perpetually unpredictable due to Congo’s tropical location. The dry season in Virunga, which spans from December to February and June to September, is the most favorable time for gorilla trekking. Trails are less dense and vegetation is drier during these months, which makes it simpler to observe gorillas. In contrast, the wetter months of March to May and October to November are less conducive to gorilla trekking due to the dense vegetation and treacherous trails. However, special offers are currently available during this low season.
Transportation and lodging expenses
Virunga National Park offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from budget-friendly to luxurious, to accommodate a wide range of preferences. Bukima Tented Camp and Kibumba Tented Camp are budget-friendly options, with rates ranging from 90 to 100 dollars per night per person. Tchegera Island Camp and Lulimbi Tented Camp are mid-range options, with rates ranging from 100 to 200 dollars per night per person. Luxury accommodations, such as Mikeno Lodge, provide complete board services at rates that vary from $200 to $400 per person per night.
The most common method of transportation to Virunga National Park is to fly to Kigali International Airport and then continue to Goma, a municipality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Following this, four-wheel-drive vehicles are employed to facilitate a two-hour journey to the park administration. The costs of transportation are contingent upon the number of individuals participating in the safari and the duration of the trip, and include diesel, driver guide allowance, and vehicle rental.
