Best time for gorilla trekking in Congo
Congo being home to part of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and selling the cheapest gorilla permit of all the three countries, is a great budget gorilla tour destination. Knowing the best time of the year to go gorilla trekking in Congo makes it easier to decide when to visit. The dry seasons are more comfortable for gorilla trekking in Congo and these are from mid-December to early February and June to September. These are the best months to go gorilla trekking in Congo. July to September are by far the driest months of the year in the Democratic Republic of Congo and preferable the best time to go gorilla trekking.
Throughout the year, the months of June to September and mid-December to February are the driest and best for uninterrupted experiences. However, December, January and February are preferable for those who want to trek in an environment with few tourists and favorable weather. June to September are the peak season and many tourists are expected to visit Virunga National Park during this time. Therefore early booking is recommended for this time.
Mountain gorillas are present in the Virunga National Park all year round and the rains are just a disadvantage that limits the tourists’ visits to the park. Though there is a best time to go gorilla trekking in Congo, the park is always open and gorilla trekking can be undertaken even during the rainy season (March-May and October-November). It is therefore dependent on what a traveler prefers.
Trekking in the rainy season is possible and the advantage is that you will have the forest and mountain gorillas all to a few of you which gives much more attention from the guides. Therefore, don’t be completely be put off by the rainy season especially if you are a budget traveler as you may even have discounts at accommodation facilities. If you choose to go trekking during the months with high rain totals then do not forget to carry rain gear like jackets and hiking boots.
Congo Gorilla Trekking Price
Congo gorilla trekking permit price is at US$ 400 for each person. The Congo gorilla trekking permit price is way much less than that of Uganda and Rwanda. The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is at US$ 700 whereas that of Rwanda is at US$ 1500. The gorilla trekking permit in Congo has a cheaper cost, however, tourism to the country has been greatly affected by unrests which has left the destination less preferable. Currently efforts have been made to keep the country safe for tourists and therefore can be visited all year round.
About Congo Mountain Gorillas
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the last wild frontiers remaining in Africa and home to part of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. With the largest expanse of true rainforests coupled with limited human intervention, it is unique Africa tour destination. For a Gorilla trekking experience, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the best place to go, for here you can experience a very pristine environment in the popular trekking destination for the mountain Gorillas.
In Congo, the mountain gorillas are found in Virunga National Park which is found within the Virunga Mountains of which Mgahinga Gorilla National Park of Uganda and the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda are also part. Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the continent’s most biologically diverse protected area. Situated in a region which has been deeply impacted by the effects of war and armed conflict for over 20 years, Virunga is protected by a dedicated team of over 700 rangers.
About 1063 mountain gorillas are estimated to be existent in the world with Virunga having part of this population. In Virunga’s southern sector around Bukima, there are currently eight gorilla families and four solitary males. The gorilla families are habituated which means they are accustomed to human presence and safe for tourists to visit during Congo gorilla tours. Mountain gorilla habituation is a critical component in making gorilla treks possible as it allows for detailed research to be undertaken on the species. This process takes between two to three years done by researchers and rangers who visit the gorillas on a daily basis. It helps increase understanding of the mountain gorilla behavior as well as allowing veterinary teams to intervene if gorillas are injured or showing signs of ill health.
After mountain gorillas go through habituation, they are opened up for trekking. To trek gorillas in Congo, an individual must be 15 years or more and purchased a gorilla trekking permit.
With the best time for gorilla trekking in Congo being the months of June to September and mid-December to February, you can now make the option of choosing your gorilla trekking dates. Our Congo gorilla tours range from 2 day Eastern Lowland or Mountain Gorilla Treks to multiple day tours combining volcanic mountain hiking and cultural adventures. Gorilla Cousins Rwanda with expertise in planning Congo gorilla safari, we also plan Rwanda gorilla tours and Uganda gorilla safaris. These trips can be customized for any kind of traveler for short or long gorilla tours.