Best Congo Safaris 2024 / 2025
Planning to go on luxury and budget Congo safaris? The Democratic Republic of Congo is a green country at the heart of Africa. It is a land of open, friendly people who are making an incredible recovery from wars that ravaged their vast country years back.
It is the second-largest country in Africa after Algeria, covering 2,345,408 square kilometers (905,567 sq mi)(Congo). Formerly known as Zaire, it is arguably the most endowed tropical nation. Here, you will find almost all precious minerals you can imagine, from diamond to oil, gold to silver. Its name tops the list of countries with the largest reserves of Colton. However, what really makes the Democratic Republic of Congo one in a million is the unrivaled gorilla tracking experiences it offers in its Eastern Region. To be exact, both lowland and mountain gorilla species.
While the former is can be explored at Kahuzi Biega National Park, the latter species resides in Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As per the 2018 Mountain Gorilla census, 604 of the world’s critically endangered Mountain Gorillas are found here. The remaining 400+ are found in Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda, as well as Mgahinga National Park, also found in Uganda.
One of Virunga’s biggest assets is its age as Africa’s oldest national park having been gazetted in 1925. It covers 7800 Km2(3000square miles) which is comprised of dense rainforests, extinct and active volcanoes with bubbling lava lakes, savannah, and swamps. The gorilla trek here is great for anyone who can easily do without the usual home comforts and quickly adapt to challenging conditions. The adventure unfolds in a bamboo and forest zone, both of which are habitats for 264 tree species— and 230 plants that are endemic to the Albertine Rift.
Along the way, you will come across strategic vantage points that offer spectacular views of soaring mountain ranges! It is an off-the-beaten-path trek because the resident gorillas are constantly on the move in search of food. To make it easy for you to walk through, the ranger guide leading your group will keep clearing foliage using his machete. It usually takes 15mins-4 hours to access a random, location where the gorillas are dwelling. On finding them, you will spend an hour among them, which is incredible. The guides will remind you of what you can and cannot do while in their presence.
Gorilla permit fare
Mountain Gorilla permits cost $150 for Congolese Nationals, $450 for non-Congolese, and $250 for nationals of the Southern African Development Community. These include Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Eswatini, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Angola, and Mozambique.
You can wrap up your stay in Congo with a trek focused on finding the lowland gorillas. It costs $400 and takes place at Kahuzi Biega National Park. Alternatively, you can head out for a mountain climbing Congo safari experience at Nyiragongo. Located in Virunga National Park, it is a beautiful stratovolcano with one of the world’s largest lava lakes.
Visa for Congo Holidays
Single entry to Congo costs $105 and covers 14 days from the day of entry for your Congo holidays. We can help you obtain this Visa thanks to its partnership with the Congolese wildlife authority and Direction Générale de Migration (DGM), the Congolese immigration service. Otherwise, you can apply for it online through the website of the immigration of service, visitvirunga.org
Safety while on Congo Tours
Having heard about one or two wars that occurred in Congo in the past, most travelers are usually very nervous before they go on Congo tours. However, upon setting foot into the capital, Kinshasa, they get to realize that the destination is no longer recognizable as the war-torn place it used to be over two decades back. It is a modern, thriving country with joyful people who are proud of their progress. That’s exactly why we are confident that you too will feel unbelievably safe during your tour there.
As you move from park to park, you will experience a sense of personal safety. Most importantly, you will feel genuinely welcomed considering that the Congolese seem eager to be friendly.
Point of entry
The nearest and most easily accessible airport to Congo’s Virunga National Park is Rwanda’s Kigali international airport. Upon your arrival here, you will find our driver guide ready to pick you ahead of a four hours’ drive to the border crossing at Gisenyi, Rwanda/Goma town.
In the event that you arrive in the late afternoon or evening, you can spend the night in Kigali city and carry on with the journey to the park the next day. Why? The border opens at 8:00 and closes at 7:00 pm.
Profiles of its National Parks
Virunga National Park
Fact! There is no primate kingdom on earth that outshines Congo’s Virunga National Park. At 790,000 hectares, not only is it the biggest primate habitat in the world, but also the most ecologically diverse, with up to 22 species (of primates). Here, you have a 70% plus chance of encountering three types of great apes – the mountain gorilla, eastern chimpanzee, and eastern lowland gorilla. As expected, the most popular star among these is the mountain gorillas and yes, Virunga is home to 604 of 1120 that are still surviving in Africa. It is Africa’s oldest park, having been gazetted in 1925 (then known as Albert National Park).
Protecting the Congo portion of the majestic Virunga Mountains, Virunga National Park warrants a five-star rating simply for its incredible scenery. This ranges from swamps and steppes to lava plains and open savannahs. Its snowfields on mountain Rwenzori rise to an elevation of 5,000 meters above sea level.
This diversity of habitats attracts 218 mammals inclusive but not limited to forest and savanna elephants, okapis, hippos, and yes, lions. On the part of bird watching, expect to find 706 recorded species, that’s roughly three times the number in the U.K. Other specials include 109 reptile species and 78 amphibian species.
Tracking mountain gorillas in this wild mountainous and wild setting is arguably the single most rewarding wildlife experience in Africa. The best part of the story is that its gorilla permits are excitingly easy on the wallet, costing just $450 in comparison with Uganda’s $600 and Rwanda’s $1,500.
Considering that the gorilla trek starts as early as 8 am, an early morning arrival is much advised. When you arrive at the park headquarters-as located in the jungle, you will be treated to an enthusiastic dance by a troupe. This will fire up your morning with their infectious energy. By 7:30, you will be briefed on the DOs and DON’Ts of the adventure after which you will set off for your walk off the beaten path.
At the climax of the trek, you will spend one hour in the company of these great old world apes, observing the gorilla family interact, groom each other, eat, doze, tease and sulk. Sitting quietly among these gentle giants is worth a top spot on the bucket list of any serious wildlife enthusiast: it is an extraordinary hour that will live in your memories for eternity.
It is simply amazing that despite knowing they are over five times stronger than men, they are not violent to human visitors. This follows the successful habituation they underwent years back, thus making them a little more tolerant compared to absolutely wild gorillas.
Nonetheless, it is advisable not to put their wrath to the test by doing things they detest. They have the ability to tear apart any mammal species with so much ease;
Try not to come between a mother and her baby. Endeavor to disable your camera’s flash while taking their pictures and most importantly, avoid looking the silverbacks directly in their eyes. They might think you are challenging them to a fight.
At the end of your adventure, you will be awarded a certificate. Thereafter, our guide will drive you to one of the cozy lodges where you can rest as you indulge in your enjoy views of the gorgeous mountain rainforest scenery.
Other things to do in Virunga National Park
Bird watching
There are lots of strategic vantage points in Virunga where you can spot some canopy residing birds like Grey-throated Barbet, Narrow tailed-Starling, yellow-billed barbet, and double toothed Barbet. The park’s claim to fame is the Madagascar bee-eater, a small migratory species with bronzy-green plumage and a white forehead. In total, the park has 706 recorded bird species.
Hiking Mountain Nyiragongo
Any adventurous traveler who wishes to experience the thrill that an active volcano provides will be blown away by Nyiragongo (11,380 ft above sea level). Located in Virunga National Park of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is a spectacular stratovolcano and tangible phenomenon that shows our planet is alive. Here, you will find one of the world’s largest lava lakes. It sits above cloud level and gorgeously lights up the sky at night with its orange glow. The view and smell of its boiling lava is a real treat for the senses.
There is a wooden cabin where you can stay as you marvel at its waves (of lava) and listen to its roars. First, though, you have to brave a hike averaging 5 hours to reach this summit. The starting point is at Kibati, a patrol post at the foot of the mountain. If you wish to have a hustle-free hike, we shall hire a porter to carry your luggage as you climb. It’s good to be in shape, but it is more important to have a positive attitude as you ascent.
The guide we shall entrust will lead you during this adventure is patient and knowledgeable about the mountain. Best of all, he is fully skilled in offering first aid anytime the need arises.
The best time of the day to start the hike is early morning when the weather is still cool. The first vegetation zone you will encounter on your way up is a lush tropical forest with lots of towering trees. The weather here is usually beautiful for photography except during rainy months like April.
The further you continue to hike, the shorter the vegetation you will continue to come across. Roughly three hours down the road, you will enter a zone that’s full of loose volcanic rocks. This is considered the most exhaustive part as there are no trees to provide shade. You are directly exposed to the sun’s rays. You are thus advised to carry sunscreen for protection. As you get to the third phase of the hike, the trail starts to get steeper. The good news is that the volcanic rocks that you will traverse are not that slippery (to walk on). In an effort to enable your body to acclimatize and thus minimize your probability of getting knocked out by altitude sickness, the guide will allow you to take lots of breaks.
Prior to ascending past cloud level, you will reach a stopover where you will rest as you take in sensational views of valleys surrounding Nyiragongo. From up here, you will also enjoy unobstructed views of the chain of other active and dormant volcanoes along the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and Uganda.
As sweeping breeze from different sides come by, it gets quite windy and cold up here. That’s exactly why you can’t afford to forget that warm jacket for the day and a sleeping bag for the night
As you hike, you will find some larger groups of tourists. If you love company, you can join them especially if they can go your speed.
What to pack
Among the things to pack when coming here include a sleeping bag, raincoats, and some food, plus of course your camera.
What to know
It is better to purchase your trekking permits in advance because they sell out very first especially in high season.
Wear gators to prevent irritation caused by stinging nettles. The forest has lots of them.
Best time to visit
June-September to February are the best months for Congo safari tours. Being dry months, the conditions in these months are cooler and the terrain drier.
Tracking lowland gorillas Kahuzi Biega
Kahuzi Biega National Park is one of the best places to explore lowland gorillas. Named after two of its dominant extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi and Biega, it is located in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Though no actual census has been done to ascertain the lowland gorilla population over a decade now, over 120 have been seen in the park. They live at an altitude between 2,100 and 2,400 m above sea level. It is a forested, swampy, and montane area of Bukavu, a locality found towards Lake Kivu.
The lowland gorillas differ from mountain gorillas in lots of ways. While their adult males weigh over 180kgs, females are light averaging 84kgs. Mountain gorillas live at a much higher altitude. As an adaptation to their extremely cold environment, their bodies have so much fur, a little darker and shabbier to be exact. The opposite is true when it comes to lowland gorillas as they live in the lower altitudes of the park. Their fur is much shorter, softer and a little brown.
While mountain gorillas have a heavy appetite for both carnivorous and herbivorous foods such as leaves, shoots, and roots. Lowland gorillas are herbivores. In terms of size, lowland gorillas are a little smaller.
Lowland gorillas live for an average of 35 years in the wild and 50 years in captivity.
Best time to visit for lowland gorilla treks
The best time to visit Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park for lowland gorilla treks is the dry season from January-February and June to September. It is easier to trek the forest at this time as its terrain is dry. The adventure takes an average of two hours, costing $400.
Meet the orphaned gorillas at Senkwekwe
Established in 2010, Senkwekwe Mountain Gorilla Centre is a rehabilitation place for orphaned mountain gorillas. Its creation was triggered by massive poaching that claimed the lives of lots of adult gorillas thus leaving their young ones without anyone to protect them from rival gorilla groups.
Located at the park headquarters of Virunga National Park in Rumangabo, is blessed with a lush forest and plenty of wildlife. During your visit, you are free to volunteer in looking after gorillas that have been victimized by poachers and animal traffickers. All through, you will be in the company of extraordinary caregivers and veterinary doctors from the fabulous Gorilla Doctors (NGO).
Visit Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Located in the North-Eastern part of Congo, along the Congo River basin, this Wildlife Reserve offers a refuge for minority ethnic groups of nomadic pygmy Mbuti and Efe hunters.
However, its real charm is its abundant species of animals and birds. Most of all, it is home to about 5,000 okapis, a strange creature with zebra-like markings on its legs, yet are most closely related to giraffes. This explains why they are called forest giraffes, zebra giraffes, or Congolese giraffes.
Altogether, Okapi Wildlife Reserve has 101 mammal species and 376 recorded bird species. It is also a habitat for 17 species of primates including chimpanzees and an estimated 7,500 forest elephants. Other specials to expect include giant forest hogs, dwarf antelopes, bongos, water chevrotains, and forest buffalo.
Congo safaris are very rewarding. Contact us today for an awesome Congo safari holiday.
