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Visiting DR Congo is one of the best safaris to take for any one who would wish to uncover Africa with its natural wonders.

The country is a tourist favorite because of its two major protected areas Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.

A visit to Bukavu town in the east of Congo leads visitors to the loveliest park with the rare lowland gorillas, this park is known for its natural beauty due to its extinct mountains from which it derives its name, these mountains include Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega.

This park is one of the largest national parks in DR. Congo with 6000km² of land mostly being lowland.

Leaving Congo without visiting this park without experiencing its major tourist attractions becomes one of the greatest mistake, this offers a combined safari as visitors combine both the lowland and mountain gorillas

Lowland gorilla tracking versus mountain gorillas

Kahuzi-Biega national park is considered to be the best park for lowland gorillas with almost the largest number of them in Africa and this has made it one of the top attractions for lowland gorilla tours in Congo, Africa.

The park contains two eastern lowland gorillas’ families and these have been habituated for tracking, merging this tour makes it a lifetime experience to the visitors within the country.

However, after this amazing tour at Kahuzi, one can take off to the Virunga national park for mountain gorilla tracking.

Here visitors pay USD 400 for a gorilla permit and the fact is that mountain gorillas are found on high altitude since they live in mountainous areas.

This is done under the guidance of the park rangers who take visitors through the information regarding the gorillas and the park at large.

These gorillas are considered having almost 98% DNA with those of human beings and therefore the way they behave amuses all the visitors to the park, the silver back is the giant male and the head of the group.

Volcano Hiking

Volcanic hiking can be dine from these two national parks, one can decide to hike the Nyiragongo Mountain which cost USD300 for an adult international visitor, and the activity can take two days of trekking, booking packed food from Mikeno lodge goes at USD80 all these rates are for per person.

Visitors are also encouraged to move with jackets, sleeping bags, rain resistant pants and trousers and sweaters since temperatures at the top of the mountain is too cold.

This is the best place to visit since this is the remaining active volcanic mountain in Africa that constantly emit fumes high into the sky hence at night making the sky turns its colors to yellowish.

Also to note is the hike that can be made from Kahuzi- Biega national park, the park is occupied by these two extinct volcanic mountains, Mount Kahuzi is 3308 meters above the sea level and mount Biega is 2790m.

The summit of these two volcanoes offers visitors with a stunning view of the surrounding areas and within the park plus the wildlife that rotates around their territories.

Birds and monkeys are also encountered on the hike including a spectacular view of Lake Kivu. Porters are available at a cost of USD 24 and they can carry luggage of around 15kgs.

Birding
Kahuzi- Biega has got over 342 bird species and out of these, 42 are said to be endemic to the park.

This is a haven for birders who visit the place for research and stress killing, African green broad bill, Congo peafowl and yellow created helmet-shrike are among the birds seen around the park.

Visitors to the park cannot leave the same as they came due to the sweetest sounds of birds that are nice to be listened as one goes through trees.

Chimpanzee tracking, this is an amazing activity and its performed in Tongo forest adjacent to the Virunga mountain national park, visitors depart from Mikeno lodge at a fee of USDS100 per person.

For real the only difference chimpanzees have got from that of human being is that they are primates and human beings are mammals but all other deed are similar.

Taking up chimpanzee trekking activity will make wonder whether these primates were trained to imitate human beings but it’s not the case.

Besides tracking, habituation can be done where the visitors may participate in a number of activities including feeding them. The way these chimp’s mock individuals surprise every one with almost similar characters with those of a human being.

Nature Walks

These can be taken up from Kahuzi- Biega national park due to its tropical thick rain forests, Tshibiti waterfall trail that connects to other waterfalls is one of the most visited trail within the park.

On the way, visitors are able to see a number of tree species and the various birds and wildlife that occupies the park’s land hence giving a clear opportunity for those who always move with cameras to take photos from the different angles as rangers give protection to all.

Accommodation in these two parks

Lodges and hotels surround these parks and they offer both high quality food and bed services. Some of the noted include Lodge coco lodge and L’Orchids safari club. Both high end and low budget all found near Kahuzi Biega National park.

Mikeno Lodge, Bukima Tented Camp, Tchegera Tented Camp. Kibumba Tented Camp and Nyiragongo Volcanic Summit Shelters in Virunga National park.

Are you passionate about wildlife in Africa? If you enjoy travel, wildlife and photography, this might be the career for you.

As the name implies, wildlife photographers capture photographs and videos of wild animals. Mountain gorilla trekking safaris has become sought after among adventurers and passionate wildlife travelers.

Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC offer not only safe and secure gorilla trekking, but also play host to a variety of other indigenous wildlife encounters and attractions, such as chimpanzee and golden monkey tracking, birding, and unique fauna and flora viewing.  Hike Nyiragongo, DRC’s active volcano or scale the Mountains of the Moon.

Passion gorilla photo safari includes a thrilling visit with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda; Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, multiple game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park with its wide array of wildlife, including the famous tree climbing lions, and a visit to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary on beautiful Lake Victoria.

This gorilla photo safari to Uganda, staying in three different locations and visiting its most beautiful and wildlife-rich parks experiencing the country’s wonderful wildlife, lush scenery and thronging bird life, with the highlight being the chance to track chimpanzees and the country’s famous mountain gorillas.

The first destination on this gorilla photo safari trip is the beautiful Kibale Forest. The drive here is fabulous, passing through tea plantations and the lush green countryside which characterizes much of Uganda.

Once here, you’ll have the chance to track chimps, accompanied by an experienced ranger, as well as spotting the 12 other primate species that live here, incredible bird life and possibly even a herd of forest dwelling elephants. You can have your dinner and overnight stay at Kibale Forest Camp.

Chimpanzee Tracking and swamp walk in Bigodi Forest boasts the highest number of primate species in the world, including our delightful cousins, the chimpanzees.

Today, in Uganda, there are approximately 5,000 chimpanzees left in the wild, which makes it a perfect place to spot them.

The experienced ranger takes you chimp tracking in the morning or afternoon; in the meantime, showing you the many monkey species that live in this tropical forest.

A wonderful jungle trip is the result, finishing in an hour of eye to eye contact with the chimps. Your swamp walk between 2-3 hours will take you through grassland, small communities and some beautiful scenery, where the locals are likely to greet you with enthusiastic waves.

It is usual to spot 3 or 4 different primate species during this walk, though the highlight is catching a glimpse of the Great Blue Turaco.

We transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park a wildlife biodiversity and the most astonishing with 95 types of mammals and 612 different birds.

The Kazinga Channel alone is said to contain the world’s largest concentration of hippos. Other wildlife includes lion, warthogs, buffalo, rare aquatic sitatunga antelope, giant forest hog, Uganda Kob, Topi, water buck, elephant and leopard.

You should request a wake up at 5.30-6.00 am for the early morning game drive which is usually the most rewarding. Tea and coffee in the Lodge’s reception area is served to refresh you before you depart. The dinner and overnight can be spent at Mweya Safari Lodge.

Wildlife on the North Kazinga plains closest to the Lodge includes elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, water buck, bush buck and warthog.

Another common-but unexpected-sighting in this area is the Giant Forest Hog, Africa’s largest pig, which is usually associated with dense forests rather than semi-open thickets. The 36km Kazinga Channel connects two Rift Valley lakes: Edward and George.

These are named after Queen Victoria’s son and heir, Edward VII and his own successor, George. The Sunbird seats ten passengers in comfort or for the ultimate in luxury enjoy refreshments and canopies aboard the Kingfisher, which seats twelve. Both launches have experienced guides and crew, with all the necessary safety equipment.

Today you can spend the day enjoying game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park spreads over 1,978 sq. km in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda Kob, baboon, and many species of birds.

With both a Riverine and savannah habitat, the park includes the southern Ishasha area with the massive Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda. Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp

The morning leads us out of Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha) heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The park contains almost one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.

Bwindi is also home to several endangered bird species with very limited ranges, and acts as an important catchment area for many rivers, supplying water for agriculture in the surrounding region. Dinner and overnight can be spent at Buhoma Lodge.

Following breakfast at the lodge, you travel to park Headquarters to meet your guides for the day’s activity and begin your gorilla tracking experience in the Bwindi forest.

Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the mountain slopes.

The journey, through dense foliage and up steep climbs, is abundantly rewarded with the lifetime experience of viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

You will have an opportunity to be within meters of these magnificent apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day to-day activities.

Mountain gorillas are extremely rare with only an estimated 850 remaining in the wild. This is an experience you won’t soon forget! Following the trek, return to your accommodation and, if time allows, take a guided afternoon forest or community walk.

Please note: tracking may be fairly strenuous with treks up to 8hours, at high altitudes, not uncommon. Also, mountain gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, viewing success rates are over 90%.

In the evening, have a cultural walk and interact with the local people. Participate in captivating traditional performances presented by Women’s groups or orphan children groups.

Note that the fees you pay for these performances go directly to improve the welfare of families around the park. Overnight: Buhoma Lodge for your dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Entebbe with a lunch stop at the Equator crossing. Proceed to Entebbe at Karibu Guest House.

A visit to the Island of the chimpanzees, in the morning you will depart from Entebbe for a close encounter with our relatives.

After a pleasant boat ride you will reach Ngamba Island, where you will be directed to the visitors centre to learn more about the chimps and their lifestyle.

You will be able to view and photograph these fascinating apes in their natural environment from only a few metres away. In the afternoon you will take a boat ride back to Entebbe Airport for your flight back home.

Within the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park which is also a UNESCO Heritage site.

This park is located in the eastern side of democratic Republic of Congo and boarders both Uganda and Rwanda. The park covers an area of 7800 km2 and is home to over 200 gorilla individuals mostly situated in the southern part of the park.

Those planning for mountain gorilla trekking tours in Virunga National Park, you are advised to book with one of the best local tour operators and the Congo gorilla permits costs ($400) per person.

The mountain gorillas in Virunga national park can be visited anytime during the year, however some paths are hard to navigate during the wet seasons of (May/April and November & October), in this season, Congo gorilla trekking permits are reduced to ($200) per person.

Other months are okay for gorilla trekking since it’s a dry season. Mountain gorillas can also be found in Uganda where a gorilla permit is $600 in high season and $600 in low season. For Rwanda, the gorilla permit is sold at $ 1500 for both high season and Low season.

A yellow fever vaccination is a requirement because you won’t be allowed into the country minus proof of the inoculation. Hepatitis A, typhoid, meningitis and rabies injections not forgetting the anti-malarial are also recommended.

An application for a visa required to enter the D.R.C should have been submitted in advance. This costs US$100.

The exact gear needed while in the jungle needs to be prepared. The trek can be strenuous and equipment like the strong trekking shoes, woolly and or the moisture-impermeable socks, comfy mountaineering clothes, rainwater gear, a primary support kit and a light weight backpack with plenty of room for food and drink.

A waterproof camera is also very much suggested as nothing wrecks a high-quality camera like the tropical forest’s heavy shower.

Guests to Virunga National Park more often than not soar to Kigali International landing field and catch the four hour long drive to the border crossing at Goma/Gisenyi.

Intercontinental flights regularly arrive late in the afternoons and or evenings. For these arrivals, we propose you spend the night in Kigali as the border does not work 24/7.

You can then head off to Goma the next morning. The majority of the guests that travel to the park are either coming from Rwanda or Uganda.

The park can be entered through different routes basing on the visitor’s interest though the most frequently used means is this road means of transport that will require a 4WD fleet to make possible for you take pleasure in the gorilla tracking adventure.

Also plan for the kind of accommodation you would wish to take on. These are categorized into luxury, moderate and budget so the choice is yours.

We are ready to share with you all these lodges and camps and you choose your preferred one. Plan with us and you get guided on the best safari to Congo gorillas.