Trekking in Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo is compared here. Are you planning and interested in going for gorilla trekking and you are finding it difficult to pick where to go between Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park, here below is the comparison based on our experience to assist you decide where to go for gorilla trekking experience.

The entire fact is that mountain gorillas abound in both Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park; the experience gained at the conclusion of your trip is not much different. For you to decide where to book and travel for your gorilla trekking, nevertheless, there are several variables you may depend on to compare Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park.

Approaching Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park For gorilla walking

Volcanoes National Park is more easily accessible than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Volcanoes National Park is two to three hours’ drive from Kigali, hence supporting this is justified by the fact that Gorillas are readily spotted with a little driving time even in one day. Nobody can get away from this; it is really true.

People used to avoid gorilla trekking in Bwindi because to the 9-10 hours travel from Entebbe International Airport to Bwindi; currently we plan trips to Bwindi via Kigali which then becomes 4-5 hours driving only. You therefore arrive in Kigali, utilize the East African Tourist Visa to visit two countries at once, and then reasonably pay for gorilla treks in Uganda. This is the reason even travel companies from Rwanda are marketing Bwindi rather than their own nation.

Safety and Security at National Park Volcanoes and Virunga

Safety and security-wise; compared to Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park is the ideal location for gorilla trekking. Rwanda managed to control the circumstances and now it is far more stable and safe than Congo. Both nations have experience a long term turmoil of security with Rwanda the genocide and DR Congo various rabble attacks and the Ebola outbreak which negatively affected the gorilla tourism activities for many year. Armed and highly trained rangers will accompany you on your gorilla trekking to guard you from any unpredictable wild animal assaults in the park and should the rabbles or poachers arise.

Regarding lodging, both National Parks Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park feature Budget, Mid Range and Upmarket Lodges where you could decide to rest throughout your journey. For individuals who want to stay in super luxury hotels on worldwide standards compared to Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park offers finest choices when it comes to housing alternatives and is the ideal site for gorilla trekking. Some of these lodges, Bisate Lodge and Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Volcanoes National Park, are regarded among the finest in Africa and the nation at large for exceptional and luxurious services.

Families of mountain gorillas found in Volcanoes and Virunga National Park

Regarding Gorilla families, Volcanoes National Park boasts more gorilla families than Virunga National Park, which only has 8 gorilla families open for gorilla trekking; thus, Volcanoes National Park has 96 Gorilla permits daily for gorilla trekking. This makes it more flexible to get gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park particularly during the high season months compared to Virunga National Park which only has 64 permits available daily.

Experience hiking in Virunga and Volcanoes National Park
Regarding the finest gorilla trekking experience, the actual truth is that mountain gorillas abound in both Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park; so, there is little difference in the experience you get at the conclusion of your trip. Chances of seeing gorillas at Volcanoes National place and Virunga National Park in Congo are 98% so whether ever place you visit you will be able to observe these giant apes in their natural setting.

Volcanoes & Virunga National Park: Affordable gorilla trekking
Visiting Gorillas in Virunga National Park Congo is much more reasonably priced than visiting Volcanoes National Park. The reason for this pricing disparity is essentially a policy difference between Rwanda and DR Congo. After a protracted conflict in the area that resulted in great uncertainty, Rwanda wants to present itself as a luxury destination while Uganda wants to sell itself as an economical one; so, Congo is seeking to promote its gorilla tourism to draw more visitors.

Still is the experience and length spent with gorillas the same? A gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs $400 per person for the peak season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then $300 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-October every year. This allows you to spend one hour meeting the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park.

The Gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 per person for the Foreign non residents, $500 per person for the foreign residents and $300 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan). This allows you to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

Regarding distance to observe Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park with that in Virunga National Park, the choice of walking either long or small distance relies on the assigned gorilla family to you on the day of trekking in the national parks. Gorilla families are assigned in both Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park based on individual physical fitness and inclination.

If you choose a shorter walk, for instance, you will have to let the park officials know the same day you plan to trek so that you are allotted such family. You do the same whether you want a medium-long or longer walk. Although they will aim to provide you a family that needs shorter treks, gorilla behavior might influence the experience if, for instance, gorillas choose to go further as you search for them you will have to travel a longer distance yet to locate them.

Ideal times for gorilla walking in Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park
Although both parks are available for gorilla trekking all year long, it is also crucial to keep in mind that these are tropical locations and may have rain at any moment. Since the forest is less slippery and June to August and December to February have the lowest rainfall, the ideal months to monitor gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park are these.

Conversely, if you find yourself traveling in March through May and November there may be more rain; thus, certain hotels may be able to provide discounts for your lodging.

Why reserve your gorilla walk with Katland Safaris in Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park Congo?
Established in 3003, Katland safaris is proud of creating customised tailor made safaris. It has a highly conscientious and trustworthy crew. Our staff of experienced tour advisors responds to your questions in twenty minutes.

These advisers will create a trip schedule for you, respond to all your inquiries, ensure that all of your services are reserved ahead of time to help you to prevent any trouble. Depending on your language choice, we also offer well informed safari guides.

The two day Gorilla safari, the three day Gorilla safari, the four day Gorilla safari—all rely on your choice among the Mountain Gorilla safari packages available at Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park. Please get in touch with us here to assist with bookings.