Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park Congo is the most tourist attraction which has sold the country’s tourism industry in the entire world.  Virunga National Park is found in DR Congo and it hosts the endangered mountain gorillas. Most traveler’s travel to Congo with the purpose of gorilla trekking in Virunga so as to watch the gentle primates. The tourists are allowed to trek mountain gorillas for only 2 hours. According to ICCN, mountain gorillas are endangered species and are in a total population of 1000 gorillas remaining in the entire world. To book a gorilla trek tour to Congo is amazing since Congo is among the 3 countries remaining with these mountain gorillas. DR Congo harbors unique gorillas called lowland gorillas and are found in the southern parts of the country.

In Virunga national park, there are many mountain gorillas and they are almost 44 gorillas that one can view during the gorilla trekking in the park. Permits for gorilla trekking in Virunga national park cost 400$ thus becoming the cheapest destination if compared to other gorilla trekking destinations like Uganda which is costs 700$ and Rwanda which costs 1500$

Virunga national park can be landed on from Kigali international airport of Rwanda and connecting you to the Gisenyi border, a visitor can also decide to book Ethiopian airlines flights to Goma airport. In Virunga national park, gorilla trekking can be carried out in the private or group tours and this can be according to your booking package and gorilla trekking in Virunga national park can be done more than one gorilla trek.  There are mainly 2 sectors in Virunga where you can find gorillas; Bukima sector and Rumangabo sector. The Virunga forest is dense and rangers will be spotted slashing the trails as you are trying to find these primate species in the dense forest. Mountain gorillas found in Virunga are scientifically called Gorilla Beringei Beringei and are found in 2 parks of Volcanoes national park and Bwindi Impenetrable forest.

Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park is an amazing experience because it is readily available for all travelers who want a full Congo gorilla safari experience. The Congo gorillas are known to be welcoming, friendly and smart because they are habituated for some time. Gorilla treks from Virunga begin from Bukima ranger post and here you are briefed in a meeting with the rangers, guides and porters. The search for gorillas begins at around 8:00 am and it will take you around 1-3 hours hiking on all the sides. Time to encounter these gorillas depends on the type of gorilla you are trekking and how the trail you are taking is difficult. Gorilla groups are allocated to you depending on your age, fitness and strengths. The maximum time you stay with gorillas is one hour and as a trekker, you will enjoy taking photos, filming videos and also trying to understand their behaviors. Remember that even if these gorillas are habituated to be used to human presence, they remain as wild animals and can at any time see you as a threat and attack you, therefore it is wise you always listen to the instructions of the guides and armed rangers. Most of the times, silverback is always first met before you proceed to trek other gorillas in the family.

Gorilla trekking may be finished in just half day, so you can also decide to participate in other activities so as you can relax from the hectic hiking activities done in search of mountain gorillas. You can opt to do evening walk and visit the community, you can decide to explore Rumangabo nature trails which is good for birding. You can also visit the gorilla orphans at Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage Centre. You can also decide to visit Congo hounds and that happens if you have booked accommodation at Bukima tented camp or Mikeno Lodge. You may also decide to finish your evening while relaxing at the lodge as you read through books and also enjoy the cool breeze of Congo.

Virunga National Park is a home for almost 200 mountain gorillas and largely found in the southern region despite of the fact that they dropped in number during the war time where poachers poached these species for food and sometime they were harmed by war warriors but currently the population is being replaced by birth and it is steadily increasing and the thanks go to the efforts of park authorities. Virunga National Park is under the management of Congolese National Parks Authority or Institute Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN).

The trekking gear of Virunga involves face mask which covers the nose and the mouth parts and this is not the case with the other national Parks. Facemasks are put on so as to avoid the transmission of disease between gorillas and visitors with the current COVID-19 situation in DR Congo and also the past of Ebola disease and all these diseases are airborne diseases. Visitors suffering from cough and flue are not allowed in the parks premises however they are advised to postpone their visiting time so that they fast recover fully and they are free to trek safely. You will view a lot of attractions blessed with Virunga National Park as you’re on your trails. Come with safari equipment like cameras and take photos for memory purposes since the whole gorilla trekking experience is amazing and memorable.