Congo gorilla Trekking , Gorilla Safaris
Exploring Democratic republic of Congo’s untamed rain forests of Parc De national virunga is one of the most authentic wilderness experiences for gorilla trekking , gorilla groups, gorilla permits and reliable tour operators to book the gorilla safari. The journey to Virunga national Park located in the virunga mountains – home to Mountain gorillas, elephants and other primates alongside the wildlife animals in the lulimbi Sector where it is possible to see some of the classic safari mammals and birds – elephants, hippos, buffalo, warthog, topi, kob, vultures, eagles and storks. Crocodiles bask on the sand banks while waders work the shores . Travelers may fly directly from Ethiopia to Goma and the airline comes every weekend once. As your charter plane descends out of the tropical cloud cover, you know you’ve found that rare and precious thing in our modern world: a truly wild frontier.
From start to finish, the jungle envelops you in its sounds: the calls of unseen birds, the soft hum of insects, the whispering of countless leaves. Wrapped in emerald shadows, you glimpse the secret lives of the rainforest’s shy creatures: buffalo, giant hairy hogs, chattering monkeys, elusive chimpanzees and the undeniable super stars – Mountain gorillas at Bukima Sector with the Bukima camp as the nearest accommodation recommended for travelers overnight stay.
Mountain Gorillas in Africa
The Mountain Gorilla, Gorilla beringei beringei, occurs in two known populations within three countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo , Rwanda and Uganda. The populations live almost entirely within national parks. One of them is spread around the extinct volcanoes of the Virunga Massif (450km²), which constitute a single contiguous area of Mountain Gorilla habitat.
In Rwanda the mountain gorillas are still located in the virunga mountains where Parc De national Volcanoe. ( this is the only national park in Rwanda that is know to be the home for the mountain gorillas, the great virunga national park is shared by Rwanda, Uganda and Congo and its the only destination where mountain gorilla trekking adventures & Safaris offered by tour operators will be leading you for a great Safari experience of the Wild mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park Congo
Gorilla Trekking Congo is a very remarkable experience which is worth to take due to the presence of these primates in Virunga National Park that are charming, smart and friendly to interact with 24/7.These are sub divided into family groups with different attributes with silver backs that act as leaders with adult female gorillas who are the care takers of the young gorillas and the juveniles which are very playful and are always within the trees. All treks begin at Bukima Patrol post taking 1-2 hrs according to where the endangered gorillas where spotted the previous day and are conducted by the park wardens.
These gorillas are protected officially within Virunga National park in DRC, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda. The second population is found mainly in southwest Uganda, in Bwindi Impenetrable NP (331km²), on the border with Democratic republic of congo.
Virunga National Park is home to about 200 of gorillas living mostly in the southern areas of the park. The national park is managed by the Congolese National Park Authorities, together with the Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) and its partner the Africa Conservation Fund. After a decline in numbers about seven years ago, due to brutal attacks in which at least 10 gorillas were killed, the gorilla population has recovered somewhat. The population is more stable now, largely thanks to the brave efforts of rangers risking their lives in Virunga National Park.
Keep your eyes open during the various excursions you’ll do in and around the park and while here you will spot a variety of monkeys and birds that have made Virunga National Park a habitat.In order for one to trek Gorillas at Virunga National park,one must have an authenticated Gorilla permit that costs USD 400 to enjoy a safari holiday with Rent a Car Uganda because we don’t advise one to use self drive due to the increased un predicted insurgences and conflict in Congo.
During trekking, guests are entailed to put on surgical masks when interacting with the Gorillas in an hour’s time.Congo Gorilla Safaris is known for not tailoring for the masses ,Gorilla Tours Congo, as we believe that Africa shouldn’t be experienced in large groups but should rather be an intimate venture. In case of an emergence like sicknesses, the guests are advised to revoke the trekking since the gorillas are vulnerable to human diseases like cough, colds etc which has led to their loss of lives before and this is done to ensure they are safe.
On the Day of Gorilla Trekking in Virunga
The Park guide will give you a short introduction before starting the forest hike. He will cover the history, geography and some facts about the gorilla family you will be visiting. The guide will also provide you with advice on how to behave when with the gorillas while in the jungle.
Following the briefing you begin your journey along narrow jungle paths to meet the Mountain gorillas. Masks are worn to prevent gorillas from catching human disease. The length of this hike depends on the location of the gorillas. Some days they can be 20-40 minute walk from the road into the Forest, other days it can take over an hour of walking to reach the Mountain gorillas as they are always on the Move for the search of food.
When you enter the territory of the gorillas you will be welcomed by the enormous male silver back, making sure you are not a threat. After he accepts your presence a magical time observing the gorillas will begin, which is truly a once in a lifetime experience and you will have 1 hour in the forest with the Mountain Gorillas.
What to Expect on gorilla trekking
Congo safari planner guide will help you to understand what to expect on the actual day of Gorilla tracking in the wilderness of parc de national virunga, can take a varied length of time depending on the group that is tracking, the general location of the gorilla family, the terrain, weather and a few other factors. Sometimes the tracking will take as short as 1 Hour minutes, other times it will take as long as 5 hours.
When you arrive at the bukima station, the ranger guide will orient you about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations to enable the conservation of the mountain gorillas in the wilderness of virunga national park and the gorilla group allocation will be done basing on the age , strength of the traveler and the level of fittness of the travel. Dont get worried of the gorilla trekking in congo due to the fact that there is a group that travelers can walk for 30 minutes and be with the gorillas like it was the case for Elders trekkers that visit congo with reliable safari companies like congo gorilla safaris.
As you hike through the forest, follow the lead of your guide. As you climb up the steep slopes of the volcanoes, and through the forest, you will need to pull your self up steep paths by grasping onto plant roots, branches, bushes, etc. a walking stick could also come in handy. You will get thirsty, so be sure to carry enough water. The trek through the forest can be tiring but the encounter with the gorillas is worth all the effort.
A gorilla encounter, life time experience
planned for a life time safari experience of coming eye to eye with the mountain gorillas in the wild? a well planned congo safari holiday can help you fulfill your dream once selecting the best tailored gorilla tour to the democratic republic of congo. The Moment the gorilla group is allocated to you at Bukima post, expect to see the gorillas any time as long as you have started walking the jungle as the trackers will already have located where the gorillas are on that particular day and you will have 1 hour stay with the gorillas for photos, videos and feeding experience of the mountain gorillas.
Congo Gorilla Safari
Planning for a gorilla trekking adventure to Virunga National Park , Congo gorilla trekking is the best destination to visit for gorilla tours. Congo gorilla Trekking is done in Virunga National Park and its requires you to secure a valid gorilla trekking permit , as Virunga has been the best destination for gorilla trekking since the re-opening of the park in 2015.