DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Uganda
Do you live in Uganda and want to go mountain gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo? If so, you can do it on this safari that departs from Uganda and stops at Virunga National Park in the Congo. Trekking mountain gorillas in Congo is one of the most well-known activities in Virunga National Park, one of the oldest and most diversified tropical rain forests in Africa. Other popular activities include hiking up the Nyiragongo volcano, birdwatching, nature walks, tracking chimpanzees, and habitatuation.
In the whole globe, mountain gorillas are found in only three nations. Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda are all part of this group. Virunga National Park in the Congo is home to mountain gorillas, whilst Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is where you may find these primates. In Uganda, you can see gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The national parks are located in close proximity to one another inside the Virunga mountain range.
Our budget-friendly DR Congo mountain gorilla safaris depart from Uganda, while our luxury DR Congo mountain gorilla safaris departing from Kigali are perfect for anyone interested in a more opulent trip to the Congo. You will be chauffeured in our luxurious land cruisers, accommodated in the most opulent lodges, and treated like a VIP the whole time. Please don’t hesitate to contact us via email if you are unable to locate the information you need on our website; we will do our best to tailor a trip to your specific interests, needs, and availability.
From Uganda, how can one plan and reserve a mountain gorilla safari in the DRC?
Looking for the best destination management organization to schedule your mountain gorilla trekking from Uganda? Look no farther than Katland Safaris for all your DR. Cong mountain gorilla safari needs. With its headquarters in Uganda, Katland Safaris ensures that all services, including gorilla permits, lodging in Virunga National Park, and transportation to and from the park, are available.
Please provide us with your travel dates, the number of days you would like to spend on safari, and your desired activities in Congo. We will then verify availability and provide you with a quote along with all the necessary details. Once you are ready to book your mountain gorilla safari with us, we will send you an invoice for payment. This allows us to secure your gorilla permits in advance. Once you have paid, we will send you a scan of the permit for your records and to review. It also confirms that you have booked your safari. Send us an email and we’ll get back to you right away.
Is there a simple and optimal way to get from Uganda to the Congo to hike mountain gorillas?
How you choose to begin your safari to the Congo or what section of Uganda you’re in will determine this. From southern sections of Uganda, including Kabale, Kisoro, or Kasese, it is possible to travel to the Congo in around three to four hours. You can take a domestic flight from Entebbe to Kisoro or Kigali Airports to reduce the amount of driving to Congo if you’re in the Northern, Western, Eastern, or Central parts of Uganda. However, you can start your drive from anywhere in Uganda; the length and number of days you spend on the road will depend on this.
If you’re interested in going gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, Katland Safaris offers a fleet of cars stationed in both Kigali and Uganda that can transport you there and back. Our safari driver guides are very skilled and informed about the regions of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda, and they drive all of our vehicles, which are 4×4 vans or Jeeps. When you book a DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Uganda with Katland Safaris, they will ensure that you are secure and comfortable since they know all the best ways to and from Uganda. Send us an email and we’ll get back to you right away.
What is the going rate for a Congolese mountain gorilla safari?
Gorilla trekking in Congo’s Virunga National Park is a daily activity. The trek begins at 7:45 in the morning with a briefing, and then you’ll be assigned a gorilla to accompany you on your trek. After you find the gorillas, you’ll spend an hour interacting with them. Similar to other national parks where mountain gorilla trekking is popular, you’ll have opportunities to take photographs, encounter other wildlife (such as primates and birds, depending on your luck), and learn about the mountain gorillas’ habitat and how they survive in Virunga National Park.
All of our gorilla tour packages at Katland Safaris are all inclusive, so there are no surprises for our guests. The gorilla permit fee is the first and foremost expense you’ll pay in order to guarantee your journey in Virunga National Park. We provide a wide variety of safari packages to suit any budget, and we can also personalize your trip to fit your interests. From Uganda, you may book a mountain gorilla safari in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
You can’t change the fact that the number of days you spend on safari depending on where you are in Uganda when you start your vacation. The safari departs from Entebbe or Kampala and takes at least four days. On the first day, you will drive to Kisoro or Kabale for overnight. The second day, you will drive to Congo Virunga National Park. On the third day, you will trek gorillas.
After your trek, you will drive back to Kisoro or Kabale for overnight. On the last day, you will drive back to Kampala or Entebbe for drop-off, ending the tour. For a four-day trip from Uganda, the cost is $1,500 per person for a party of two. This price includes gorilla permits, transportation, housing, meals, and guide services, making it a budget-friendly alternative.
How much do Congolese mountain gorilla viewing permits cost?
To visit mountain gorillas in DR Congo Virunga National Park, you must have a gorilla permit. Going on a gorilla trekking adventure in the Congo is a lot more budget-friendly than visiting Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga National Park in Rwanda, two other popular destinations for gorilla trekking. Trekking mountain gorillas in Congo is possible with either a standard or subsidized gorilla permit from Virunga National Park.
Going on a trek with the park’s gorillas costs 400 USD per person during the peak season (December–February, January–February, June–July–August, September–and early October). This is because the park sees a large influx of visitors during this time due to the holiday season and the fact that the trails in the Virunga forest are dry, making the treks easier for the gorillas.
To avoid missing out on gorilla permits, we recommend booking your journey at least three months in advance if you want to visit the Congo for gorilla trekking during these months. Then, if you’re interested in trekking with gorillas in Congo Virunga National Park, you can do it during the off-season months of March–May, October–November, and December for $400 USD per person per trek. The offer runs from March–May to October–December, and the same applies to both the regular and discounted permits; however, we recommend that you book your spot at least three months before your trekking date.
After you get in touch and pay for the permits, we will get them from the Virunga National Park headquarters in the Congo and provide you a copy of the receipt so you can confirm your journey for the date you’ve chosen. You may pay the remaining amount for all of your services when we verify your permissions, after which you can book your overseas flights.
Ideas for a Ugandan mountain gorilla safari to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In Virunga National Park, one of the most popular activities is mountain gorilla trekking. If you’re planning a safari to Uganda to see these primates, you shouldn’t miss this opportunity. Despite the park’s vast habitat, there are only six gorilla families that allow visitors to trek among them: Kabirizi, Humba, Rugendo, Mapuwa, Lulengo, Munyaga, Nyakamwe, and Bageni.
As the biggest group with more than 300 gorilla individuals, Kabirizi is a popular destination for visitors and gorilla trekkers. To ensure that you do not miss out on trekking this particular troop of gorillas, you must reserve your gorilla permit at least three months in advance.
The second most popular activity in Virunga National Park on a DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Uganda is chimpanzee tracking or habituation. On a chimpanzee habituation trek, you’ll spend the entire day with the apes, while on a chimpanzee tracking trek you’ll spend an hour with them. Both treks start in the morning when you’ll be joined by researchers and trackers as you walk through the forest in search of chimpanzees.
You’ll have the opportunity to observe and learn about their feeding habits, natural behavior, and more. On a chimpanzee tracking trek, you’ll spend the day with the apes until they come inside to sleep. To avoid missing out, it is still necessary to reserve your permit at least three months in advance for chimpanzee tracking and habituation excursions, just as for gorilla trekking permits.
As part of your DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Uganda, you will have the opportunity to go on nature walks through the Virunga Forest. This forest is one of the oldest tropical rain forests in Africa and is incredibly densely vegetated. During these walks, you will not only get to see the unique Virunga Landscape, but you will also learn about the different kinds of trees, birds, and, if you’re lucky, mammals and reptiles.
One of the once-in-a-lifetime adventures one should do is hike the Nyirangongo Volcano. You can do this in Virunga National Park on your DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Uganda. The volcano is 3,470 meters (11,380 feet) tall and is one of the most active in the world. No one knows for sure how long it has been erupting, but it has done so at least 34 times since 1882, with the most recent eruption occurring in 3002.
Among the many things to do on a mountain gorilla safari in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Uganda is to go bird watching in Virunga Forest, one of the most biologically diverse tropical forests. The park’s many different ecosystems, including swamps, forests, and grasslands, are home to a wide variety of bird species. On a birding expedition, you get an opportunity to witness over 706 different kinds of birds. Send an email and we’ll take care of planning your safari.
During what times of year may one go mountain gorilla trekking in the Congo?
Located in the tropics, Virunga National Park is mostly covered in tropical rain forest vegetation. Because of this, the park can receive unpredictable rain at any time of day or week. Fortunately, there are good months to visit the park: the dry season, which is December through September. During this time, the trails are always drier than during the wet months, and the vegetation is not fully grown, so seeing gorillas is easier and more clear.
Since the foliage is fully developed and the routes are considerably more slippery making walking more harder, most tourists avoid seeing gorillas during these other somewhat rainy months of March, April, May, October, and November. Having said that, during the rainy months, Virunga National Park offers a special deal on gorilla permits. For just USD400, tourists can trek the gorillas, which is a great way for budget travelers to experience the park without breaking the bank.
How to go from Uganda to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a mountain gorilla safari?
You may find affordable, mid-range, and luxury accommodations in Virunga National Park. Bukima Tented Camp and Kibumba Tented Camp are two examples of budget options with prices ranging from $90 to $100 per night per person. Tchegera Island Camp and Lulimbi Tented Camp are two examples of mid-range options with prices ranging from $100 to $300 per night per person. Mikeno Lodge is one example of a luxury option with prices ranging from $300 to $400 per night per person. Just tell us which one works best for you, and we’ll check availability and make the reservation for you. We promise a speedy response when you contact us via email at .com.
From Uganda, how to reach the Congo for a mountain gorilla expedition
Virunga National Park in the eastern part of the Congo is the only place in the country where mountain gorilla trekking is possible. If you prefer flying, you can depart from Entebbe Airport and fly to Kisoro or Kigali Airports. If you’re flying to Kisoro Airport, you’ll cross the Cyanika border and connect to Gisenyi town. From Gisenyi town, you’ll cross the Rwanda-Congo border to Goma town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
From there, you’ll drive towards Bukima. Finally, you’ll arrive at the park headquarters of Virunga National Park, where your gorilla trek will begin. It’s about a two-hour drive from Gisenyi town to the park headquarters. If you prefer to take the road, you can reach Kigali from anywhere in Uganda via Kabale or Kisoro. From there, you can cross the Uganda-Rwanda border at Katuna or Cyanika. From there, you can connect to Goma town, which is located on the Rwanda-Congo border. From Goma, you can proceed to Viringa National Park, where you can go chimpanzee trekking.
When is the best time to plan a safari to see mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from Kenya?
Your budget will determine the best time to book a mountain gorilla safari from Uganda to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, because gorilla trekking is cheaper, permits do sell out quickly, so it’s best to book your trek at least three months in advance. The good news is that Congo offers both regular and discounted gorilla trekking permits for mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park every year. So, to ensure that we can get gorilla permits in Virunga National Park for you, it is necessary to contact Katland Safaris in advance to verify their availability, make a reservation, and pay for them.
Consider these reasons to book a gorilla safari in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Katland Safaris:
Launched in 2011, Katland Safaris aspires to provide unparalleled and expert tour and travel services in Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. Ever then, Katland Safaris has risen to prominence as a premier travel operator in Rwanda and Uganda. The office and field staff at Katland are well trained and ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We collaborate closely with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and are proud members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (POTO).
Both SafariBookings and TripAdvisor had nothing but praise for us. From Kigali, you can access the finest and most up-to-date information on our website, making it a credible starting point for your preparations for your DR Congo mountain gorilla safari. Owned and operated by Ugandans, the staff at Katland Safaris are experts in their field and would gladly share their knowledge with you.