How To Spend 5 Days In Virunga National Park.
Discover how to spend five days in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park. One of the habitats of the remaining surviving mountain gorillas worldwide is Virunga national park. Its limits span Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Though Virunga National Park has 8090 sq km of territory, its terrain is mostly covered with volcanic work. The park rises from 680 m in Puembo River to 5109 m in Mountain Stanley.
King Albert of Belgium gazette Virunga National Park in 1925 to help to save the threatened mountain gorillas. Two challenges to the mountain gorilla conservation in Virunga National Park include recent civil conflicts and poaching.
Six gorilla families—Kabirizi, Rugendo, Munyaga, Humba, Mapuwa, and Lulengo gorilla family—have been habituated for tourist viewing at present.
Like chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, De Brazaa monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, blue monkeys, and others, many other primates spend their day in the forest.
Apart from the mountain gorillas, Virunga National Park has numerous exotic species such African Buffaloes, Okapi, blue duikers, huge forest pigs, water chevrotain, and red river hog.
Five days for Virunga National Park,
Day 1 Proceed to Virunga National Park via car.
The quickest way to Virunga National Park in D.R. Congo is from Kigali airport in Rwanda. You are picked up from Kigali by a driver-guide who drives via a meandering route surrounded on both sides by several hills. Take in the amazing vistas of green shadow over Rwandan steep slopes. For overnight in one of the lodges, this journey covers around five hours from the Ngoma border or Gisenyi.
This region offers a small range of lodging options; among of them are Paradise Malahide Hotel.
Day Two Hike Nyiragongo Volcanic Mountain in Congo
After breakfast, travel to Kibati Petro from whence to hike the Nyiragongo mountain. The ranger guide leads you through the trekking techniques for this active crater. In 2022 the Nyiragongo Volcano released lava covering more than 30 kilometers.
Get a porter to carry your stuff while you’re trekking. It is one approach of directly helping the nearby population.
Along with you to the mountain top is the ranger guide. Remember to bring your packed lunch and supper; they are made on the top of the property over six hours. Although there is a basic housing option for overnight, you must sleep on the floor to get a better view of the noises the active volcano generates.
Looking down into the huge crater on the mountain at night, you can see the always boiling lava of this active volcano even more clearly by sundown. Mountain Nyiragongo has the biggest caldera in the world.
Over night at the little wooden house at the summit.
Day three descend Nyiragongo headed toward Kibumba or Bukima.
One once-in-a-lifetime experience anybody can have is spending a night on top of an active volcano. Slope to the bottom in Kibati after breakfast. Your driver guides leads you to Bukima Tented Camp or Kibumba Tented Camp.
Nyiragongo settles at your resort or makes an optional excursion to Kibumba market to see the distinctive cultural performance of the people after descending. Should your overnight be Bukima Tented Camp, there is great likelihood of a gorilla visit.
Unload at your lodge for the evening. Remember to compile all the required supplies for gorilla treking.
Day Four Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
Carrying your packed gorilla trekking equipment and a mask, travel to Bukima Patrol from whence gorilla trekking begins. Listen to the briefing given by the ranger guide, who subsequently leads you into the forest. These are armed rangers sent to guard you in the woods.
Among other primates that love the forest are De Brazaar’s monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, olive baboons, Dent’s monkey to name but a few. Among the wild creatures the forest hosts are forest elephants, okapi, duikers, enormous forest pigs, African Buffaloes, aardvark, and more.
There are some uncommon Albertine endemics among the birds that spend their daily lives in the forest. Among the birds you may see are Green Board Bill, Strange weaver, Grauer’s rush Warbler, Arch’s Robin-chart, African golden oriole, mountain buzzed, red sheeted, White beilled robin-chat, and others.
When you eventually see the mountain gorillas, try not to show loads even with their black hairy face and tremendous size. See the family savoring the bamboo delicacy, silky stems, and leaves. Look for the silverback whose liberty is fully realized. Every family member answers his leadership without question. When food runs short, he is in charge of scouting fresh feeding sites. Attacked by another family, he struggles to the last breath in order to protect the honor of his gorilla family.
Photographs capture memories of spending your vacation in Africa among mountain gorillas. Retreat to your lodge. Although the gorilla trekking safari in Virunga National park lasts less than other parks, you might choose to stay the Night in Gisenyi, Rwanda.
Day 5 Starting Point
Following off the time with the mountain gorillas in Virunga National park and trekking the most active volcanic peak Nyiragongo travel via Kigali City in Rwanda to Kigali Airport.
Note
On your route to the Kigali Airport, you might choose to conduct a Kigali city tour. Seeing the genocide monument in Kigali helps one to understand the sad 100 days of ignorance and cruelty. The Kigali genocide memorial wall lists about 800,000 people. Some of the surviving genocide victims are kept in place to warn the residents not to follow that path once again.
Embedded in the monument is a particular area where youngsters stay in honor of the little soul who was innocent victim of the Holocaust.
Ordering Gorilla Trekking Permits for Virunga National Park
Since Virunga National Park is rarely frequented, permits there are sold on arrival. Every gorilla permit costs four hundred dollars. Virunga Foundation for mountain gorillas and Institute Congolais Pour La Conservation (ICCN) regulate the gorilla licenses in D.R. Congo.
Kahuzi Beiga of Institute Congolais Pour La Conservation oversees lowland gorillas.
The proceeds from the gorilla trekking permits are used to fund gorilla conservation and a portion of which go to the nearby community to assist their initiatives. The gorilla trekking permit fee looks exorbitant, but it is well worth it because the number of gorillas has grown over time and also controls the number of visitors who would walk over the vegetation.
The age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park
Gorilla treking in Virunga National Park is permitted 15 years and above. This cuts across all the nations including Rwanda and Uganda that have mountain gorillas. This is so because of the geography of Virunga, where gorillas reside.
To reach the gorillas, some trekking is needed, which could be too busy for youngsters under these years. Even with adults, the first time see the gigantic physique and dark brown eyes of the gorillas is rather frightening. A youngster below this age could find it difficult to restrain their adrenaline, which might stir the forest.
What To Bring For Virunga National Park Gorilla Trekking
A pair of tracking boots
Dirt-friendly, long-sleeved shirts and pants in colors that won’t make you feel awkward in the jungle.
Energy nibbles to remain motivated while looking for the mountain gorillas
Repellant for insects to save your skin from stinging ones
Since the woodland is constantly chilly during the day, a poncha or warm garment is advisable.
Since the jungle is humid, carry a waterproof bag to guard your stuff from becoming wet.
An additional full battery to replace when low
a camera devoid of flash photography. The flash can drive mountain gorillas into hiding and frighten them.
In case the lights go out, pack a flashlight; you will be able to quickly find your way around the room.
Since most domestic transactions or payments are conducted in local currency, some cash to convert into it.
When should one arrange Gorilla Trekking Safari in Virunga National Park?
Though all year long gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park is allowed, the drier months—June through September and December—are more pleasant. Despite many rivers running across the woodland, the paths there are not too muddy. Less undergrowth exists since most of the plants slink up big trees to get sunlight.
Why Should One Visit Africa Safaris?
Operating in the larger East African area for more than 15 years, KatlandSafaris is one of the few reliable and experienced tour operators that will provide you the greatest experience when it comes safaris to visit mountain gorillas and animals in Africa.
Whenever we visit locations in Africa, we resolved to be green and advocate responsible travel. Professionally educated office and field staff members are on hand to diligently assist you. Our happy customers usually post some feedback on Safari booking and travel advice. Please get in touch with us on the best approach to spend five days in Virunga National Park Congo.
