VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK-BEST PLACE FOR GORILLA TREKKING.

The greatest location for gorilla trekking is Virunga National Park. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is where it is situated. One of Africa’s greatest diversity can be found in Virunga National Park.

The Virungas National Park is home to mountain gorillas, which are found in half of sub-Saharan Africa. However, political disputes have long threatened them in the DRC, but they manage to thrive.

King Albert I of Belgium created the park in 1925 and gave it the original name, Albert National Park. In order to save the endangered mountain gorillas that are found in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda, the park was gazetted.

From the Virunga Mountains in the south to Rwenzori in the north, the Virunga region spans over 7800 square kilometers. Along with a variety of birds, reptiles, animals including giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, warthogs, primates like chimpanzees, monkeys, and many more, Virunga National Park is home to the world’s mountain gorillas.

Virunga is one of the only parks in the region having endangered mountain gorillas, and the park’s main draw for tourists is its mountain gorillas.

Because the park is less crowded than other tracking areas in Africa, people always monitor mountain gorillas.

Eight persons are permitted to trek with the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas’ previous feeding or playing spot determines how long the trek takes. Finding them could take anywhere from thirty minutes to seven hours, after which you will have an hour to spend with the mountain gorillas.

You are permitted to stand seven meters away from the endangered species because there is a risk of contamination from various human diseases because of the close proximity of humans and gorillas. Fewer trekkers contribute to a decrease in the transmission of diseases from people to gorillas.

Gorilla trekking requires participants to be at least 15 years old. The walk happens during the day, starting with a briefing at 8 a.m. and ending with a gorilla celebration at 6 p.m. Spending an hour with the mountain gorillas is strictly limited.

Because the mountain gorillas are protected in Virunga National Park, there are a lot of dos and don’ts there. For example, you are not permitted to trek or approach the mountain gorillas if you are ill or infected. Make sure you abide by the guidelines when gorilla trekking.

Local tour companies charge 400 USD per person for a gorilla permit in Virunga National Park, 800 USD in Uganda, and 1500 USD in Rwanda.

Virunga National Park’s mountain gorillas are visited all year round, however it might be challenging to get to the area during the rainy season.

There are many gorilla trekkers in Rwanda and Uganda, and permits are always bought in advance.

You must have a yellow fever vaccination with you when you travel to Congo. shots for rabies, typhoid, meningitis, and hepatitis A, in addition to recommended antimalarial drugs.

Anticipate a voyage filled with discomfort as you explore the breathtaking scenery. Congo is also in a stable condition and is gaining popularity among African tourists.

The DRC experiences two distinct rainy seasons: one from March to the end of May and another from October to November. The Congo’s tropical rain forests provide the rain. The remaining months are June through September through February. During these times, when there is more sunlight and less rain, many tourists decide to travel.

In Virunga National Park, December is regarded as one of the busiest months of the year. Since there are less guests during the off-peak months of March through May and October through November, lodging rates are lowered. Permits are also lowered during these times, costing $200 USD.

Congo’s chilly climate can be explained by its elevated terrain. Trekking with gorillas is a unique experience that is worth seeing while visiting the primates in Virunga Park.

The silverbacks serve as their leaders, and the charming, gregarious, intelligent, and playful primates live in groups with other silverbacks, females, and blackbacks in forested regions.