Welcome to Virunga National Park congo

Travel Advises & tips for congo safaris

06 Mar
Gorilla Trek

Travel Advises & tips for congo safaris

TIPS OF BOOKING A CONGO SAFARI

Unlike other East African countries, Congo is a very difficult country to visit. So your visit to Congo must be prepared by organized experts that really know what to do. This is because Congo is a very big country with a lot of provinces whereby some are always having internal conflicts. So you need someone who knows Congo very well so that he does not take you in a conflict ridden province.

Secondly, you need a Congo visa that is not easy to get, the long drive especially from Kigali which is the easiest connecting point plus the rare and highly priced accommodations.

Africa offers a diversity of primate safaris with the chance to track endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. And those who have experienced getting up close and personal with our closest relatives hail it to be one of the most memorable encounters of their lives.

Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo offer a great deal of primate diversity, and you can even see rare species such as colobus and golden monkeys in certain areas. These countries also boast unique crater lakes, rivers and waterfalls so that visitors don’t just have to keep an eye out for primates when they’re trekking.

Thus before you set off on a primate safari, here are some tips from us to help you to make the most of your trip:

  1. Decide where you want to go

Gorilla trekking can be done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and in Virunga National Park in the DRC. All of these parks are within the great Albertine region and each has various tracking stations as well as a number of gorilla families.

On the other hand, chimpanzee trekking is better in Kibale National Park, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest Reserve in Uganda, or Nyungwe Forest National Park in Rwanda which has elevated walking canopies that are 800 metres from the ground in sections.

  1. Secure a trekking permit in advance

A travel operator can secure your permit in advance to save you any wasted time or hassle during your stay. Gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC are in high demand these days, and only a maximum of eight people are allowed to track a gorilla family at a time. This means that making all necessary bookings at least three months prior to arrival could save you a lot of stress and disappointment.

  1. Work out your budget

Gorilla permits vary in prices depending on the country where you are likely to trek them from. If you do have budget constraints, it is therefore worth researching or speaking to your travel operator beforehand to see where and when would be most suitable for you. The most affordable gorilla treks are in Democratic Republic of the Congo at a uniform cost of US$400 per day for international visitors.

  1. Decide when you want to go

The dry season is arguably the best time for all primate safaris in Africa as the ground can be muddy and slippery during the rainy season. The periods from June to October and from December to March are the best months and also the peak periods which is why advanced bookings are important.

  1. Try to be in good shape

Searching for primates often involves quite a hike and all treks start early in the morning after a briefing from the park rangers on how to behave with the apes. It is therefore important to be in relatively fit and good health before tracking primates.

  1. Be prepared to follow the rules

Cover your mouth or turn away from the gorillas if you need to cough or sneeze, maintain a 21ft distance from the gorillas when you’re taking photographs, avoid using your flash when taking photos, and don’t smoke, drink or eat in front of them. In the DRC you will be required to wear a surgical mask in the presence of gorillas, as a way of disease prevention.

  1. Don’t dress to impress

Wear dark coloured long-sleeved tops, long trousers and comfortable walking shoes when trekking. It is also advisable to coat yourself in insect repellent and sunscreen before entering the rainforest.

  1. Charge your batteries

Check that your camera battery is fully charged and bring an extra just in case, carry drinking water and eat a healthy breakfast beforehand.

  1. Book your accommodation

Lodging is another essential factor to consider before booking a primate safari. Lodges, hostels and campsites are often located close to the entrance of different parks in order to make it easy to report to the park headquarters for the trek briefing. All vary in terms of facilities and services and can cost anywhere between US$30-$800, so it is a good idea to speak to the experts to find out the best places to stay to suit your budget and needs.

Once you’ve made all the necessary preparations, you can relax and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

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