Visiting The Congolese Gorillas In Virunga National Park Tour

Visiting the Congolese Gorillas in Virunga National Park

Visiting the Gorillas is an incredible experience. The animals are truly enormous, but they are also good-natured and playful, living up to their reputation as "gentle giants."

The Heart of Gorilla Conservation

Virunga is part of the wider Virunga Massif, which stretches across Rwanda and Uganda, making it one of the only regions in the world where endangered mountain gorillas survive. Conservation efforts here, supported by dedicated rangers and international partners, have made it possible for these incredible creatures to thrive despite challenges such as poaching and regional instability.

You will have the opportunity to observe the gorillas for up to an hour. Gorillas may surround you while playing and eating in the trees, or the family may be at rest in an open grassy area. As you walk through the family, you must keep a distance of at least seven meters.

If a gorilla family consists of more than ten individuals, then we allow a group of six tourists to visit. We have five families that can be visited and have a maximum capacity of 26 tourists per day.

The treks leave from one of three patrol posts, with several rangers and trackers to accompany you. Bukima Post, the most popular with tourists and closest to Goma, has a basic tented camp for overnight stays. Treks can take from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours to reach a gorilla family, often moving through dense forests and across steep hills, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Weather conditions can range from sunny and warm to cold and rainy, so come prepared for both.

Because Mountain Gorillas share 98% of our DNA, they are highly susceptible to human disease. Any person can unknowingly transmit dangerous bacteria or a virus, including the common cold.

For this reason, visitors represent a potential threat and are required to wear a surgical mask provided for them when they reach the gorilla family. If you don't feel well, have a fever, diarrhea, or a persistent sore throat, please do not visit the gorillas.

Nestled in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Virunga National Park is one of Africa’s most breathtaking and biologically diverse destinations. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is world-famous for being home to a significant population of mountain gorillas, one of the rarest primates on earth.

The Gorilla Trekking Experience

A gorilla trek in Virunga is unlike any other wildlife adventure. Visitors, accompanied by expert trackers, set out into lush forests to locate a habituated gorilla family. The trek can last anywhere from one to several hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements. Once found, trekkers are allowed a magical one-hour encounter, watching the gorillas feed, groom, play, and interact under the watchful eye of the dominant silverback.

Why Virunga is Unique

Unlike some busier destinations, gorilla trekking in Congo is often more intimate, offering smaller groups and less crowded trails. This provides a raw, authentic experience in the gorillas’ natural habitat. Additionally, permit fees in Virunga are more affordable compared to Rwanda or Uganda, making it a great choice for adventurous travelers.