Is it Safe to Visit Gorillas in Congo?

Is it safe to visit gorillas in Congo? When it comes to gorilla trekking adventures in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), often, questions about safety are never missed. It is safe to visit gorillas in Congo. You can safely enjoy your gorilla trekking expedition in Virunga National Park or Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Visiting gorillas in Congo is safe thanks to the various safety and security measures that have been put in place. Let us take a look at the breakdown of aspects around the travel question –is it safe to visit gorillas in Congo?

State of security in Congo

All gorilla tours in Congo are best done in the Eastern part of the country. It is in the Eastern region where you can find Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park. These have had a long history of violence from the area but luckily, the Congo government through its security organs together with other collaborating agencies, peace and security are slowly being restored. What is essential before you take a flight to visit gorillas in Congo is to get in touch with a local tour operator (Native Africa Tours) for first-hand information. Or check with your embassy for security updates about the destination you plan to visit.

Safest routes to gorilla safari destinations

The safest way to reach your gorilla trekking destinations in the Democratic Republic of Congo is by driving from Kigali to Rwanda. From Rwanda, tourists can safely connect to the Virunga National Park to visit mountain gorillas and Kahuzi-Biega National Park to see the Eastern Lowland gorillas. From Kigali to Virunga, you drive off to the Gisenyi border where you can cross to Goma town. You can also set off from Kigali to Bukima Patrol post about 5 to 6 hours’ drive. At Bukavu, you can take a ferry –a public boat/speed boat on Lake Kivu to Goma town.

Yellow fever certificate, tourist visas, passports & gorilla permits

Essentials that you need on the Congo tour include a yellow fever vaccination certificate, a valid visa, a passport, and a gorilla permit.

All travelers who are 1 year of age and above are required to have proof of a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival at Congo’s border/airport. Even during the visa application, these details will be required. This means as you plan your Congo gorilla trip, do not forget to obtain a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Tourist visas- the Congo visas are essential for you to have access to the country. They will be required at a checkpoint as you cross at Goma or Bunagana. In case you don’t have any, there is an option of purchasing one at the border. But the safest option is to ensure that you obtain your Congo visa in advance at least a month or two before the actual visit.

Visit Via Kigali

Traveling from Kigali to Kahuzi-Biega National Park is possible and takes about 6-7 hours to drive there. You cross through the Rusizi border and from this border point, you can spend about an hour and a half driving to Kahuzi-Biega National Park offices.

While in Burundi, you can also safely drive for 3 hours to Ruwa and cross the Rusizi border. It is one of the shortest routes to Kahuzi-Biega National Park for lowland gorilla safaris.

The longest route starts from Uganda and involves spending a night in Musanze and proceeding the next day to Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Within the DRC, you can also fly to Goma International Airport and connect to Kahuzi-Biega National Park. But due to safety reasons, it may not be the ideal route.

By water; you can take a ferry from Goma to Bukavu through Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu. A speed boat can take you 3 hours and public boats may require about 4-5 hours.

Safety before gorilla treks, gorilla rules & park rangers

Before you set foot on the jungles of Kahuzi-Biega or Virunga National Park, there are precautions or measures that the park officials brief you about. These are dos and don’ts intended to ensure that you have a safe and secure gorilla interaction in the wild. They include;

1. Observing a distance of 8-10 meters away from a family of gorillas should be done at all times.
2. During a gorilla trek, only habituated gorilla families should be visited.
3. An armed park ranger guide should accompany you on an actual gorilla trek.
4. When a gorilla charges at you, please keep calm and follow the instructions given by the park ranger guide.
5. If you are not fine health-wise, you won’t be allowed to engage in a gorilla trek.
6. While in the jungles, your voice should be kept low at all times.
7. Do not touch gorillas –it is a prohibited act for all trekkers to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
8. Wear environmentally friendly clothes on your actual day of trekking gorillas. The brightly colored clothes should be avoided at all times because they scare away gorillas.
9. When it is time for photography, consider using a camera free of a flashlight.

Park ranger guides

Trackers and park ranger guides are available to accompany visitors on a search for mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas. No one is allowed to go trek gorillas alone whether in the Virunga National Park or Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

To be allowed to go to trek gorillas, officially you should have a valid gorilla permit. The cost of a Congo gorilla trekking permit is the same in Kahuzi-Biega or Virunga. Each permit costs USD 400 per person.

Gorillas in Congo

Congo is home to all the two subspecies of Eastern gorillas; mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas. The best place to find mountain gorillas in Congo is Virunga National Park. The Eastern lowland gorillas live in Kahuzi-Biega National Park or Maiko National Park.

While in the Virunga National Park, you can trek habituated gorilla groups such as the Humba group, Rugendo gorilla group, Bageni, Kabirizi, Nyakamwe, Mapuwa group, Lulelngo and others.

Habituated gorilla groups in Kahuzi-Biega National Park include Mpungwe, Maghuka, Nganwa, Bonnani, and Chimanuka. Whether it is mountain gorilla groups or eastern lowland gorillas, each group is visited by a maximum of 8 visitors per day.

Travel tips

Book a gorilla tour with the local tour operator on the ground: The local tour operators/companies like Native Africa Tours are informed about the destination. You get first-hand information on the safety and security situation in the destination you plan to visit gorillas in Congo.

Book accommodation close to/inside the park: Avoid finding where to stay far away from where the actual gorilla trek will begin. But when choosing a place to stay, safety and security shouldn’t be left out.

Explore more about the road connectivity to your destination. Conduct thorough research on the route to take to your destination for gorilla trekking.

When trekking gorillas, please do not remain behind or get out of the group of trekkers whom you went for gorilla trekking.

Ensure that you have the park ranger guide accompanying you from the very start of your gorilla trekking adventure in Virunga or Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

Pack right for your gorilla tour in Congo and consider items like waterproof hiking boots, a daypack, a rain jacket, insect repellents. A first-aid kit, gloves, a no flashlight camera, and others.