Virunga National Park the biggest hub of Congo Gorilla Safaris is a proud habitat of close to 1004 of these gentle mountain giants according to the latest gorilla counting reports from the park. Scientifically termed as Gorilla beringei beringei, Mountain Gorillas are typically gentle and amazingly shy and calm animals that have thick and long fur and this enables them to live in cooler temperature climatic zones, each gorilla can be identified based on its nose print which is unique to each individual, adult males can weigh as much as 195 kg with a standing height of 168cm or 66 inches while their female counterparts can weigh 100kg with a height of 140 cm or 55inches.

Virunga National Park has 8 habituated gorilla families open for Gorilla Trekking In Congo Including:-

Rugendo Family.

Rugendo family was one of the gorilla families that were habituated first in 1985 hence one of the oldest Congo gorilla safari families. It was initially led by a silverback named Rugendo who unfortunately got killed in 2001. Rugendo is believed to have fathered most of the silverbacks such as Mapuwa, Humba, Nyakamwe, Baseka, Ruzirzbwoba, Mukunda, Kongomani, Mburanumwe, Lubutu, and Bahati and these silverbacks head various gorilla families in the Virunga region. Rugendo was succeeded by his son Senkwekwe. In 2008, the leadership of Rugendo family saw another silverback named Bukima come to power due to a power vacuum that had been created by the mysterious death of Senkwekwe in 2007. Bukima was a solitary silverback who was formerly a member of the Buhanga group and also had a spell at Munyaga family. Rugendo family comprises of 9 members with 3 silverbacks, 1 black back, 1 adult female, 2 sub-adult females, and 2 babies. This family is found habituating in areas around Mikeno sector in between Bukima and Bikenge.

Munyaga Family.

Munyaga family is led by a dominant silverback called Munyaga who was actually a solitary silverback roaming the jungles of Virunga but in February of 1998, he met Buhanga gorilla family that was under the leadership of an adult female named Nsekuye hence Munyaga imposed himself as the male dominant head of this family taking over from Nsekuye. Munyaga’s family lost all the females of the group due to numerous interactions with other gorilla families such as Kabirizi and this forced Munyaga to abdicate from his due to lack of females to mate with within the family in 2007, this in turn created space for the top leadership position which had become vacant after Munyaga’s abdication. Mawazo another silverback in the family stepped up to fill the void and he now reigns as the dominant silverback of Munyaga family up to today. Munyaga family has 9 members which include 3 Silverbacks, 2 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 2 babies. This family traverses the area around Bukima.

Mapuwa Family

Mapuwa family was founded by one of Rugendo’s sons Mapuwa who left his father’s family Rugendo for a solitary life in 1995 at around the same time his brother Ruzirabwoba also left the Rugendo family. In 1998, Mapuwa interacted with the Lulengo family and he managed to annex 2 of its adult females namely Kagofero and Kanepo with whom he started his own family. Over a period of close to 20 years, Mapuwa family has expanded and evolved to reach a membership count of 22 individuals with 3 silverbacks, 3 black backs, 6 adult females, 4 juveniles, 2 sub-adult females, and 5 babies. During all this transformation, Mapuwa is still at the helm of this family as the dominant silverback.

Lulengo Family

Initially named as Rugabo family, this was one of the 1^st gorilla families to be habituated in the Virunga Park in 1985 with Rugabo as the dominant silverback, Rugabo’s reign at the helm was cut short only after 9 years at the top when he got shot dead along with 2 other females and abduction of one of the juveniles in the group named Mvuyekure in 1994, although Mvuyekure was successfully rescued from the poacher who had intended on selling him in neighboring Uganda. The leadership void created by the untimely demise of Rugabo was filled when one of his sons Lulengo stepped up for the leadership position. Being a younger leader, Lulengo family experienced the loss of many of its family members due to interactions with other gorilla families such as Rugendo. As of today, Lulengo family has 9 members with 1 silverback, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult male, 3 babies, and 1 juvenile. Lulengo family habituates in areas around Jomba.

Kabirizi Family

This group was habituated around 1994 and by this time it was under the leadership of Zunguruka as the dominant silverback. Zinguruka later on died from his old age and was succeeded by his son Ndungutse who stay at the top only lasted for a few years as he got fatally shot amidst a crossfire between the Congolese army and a Rwandese rebel group around Bukima patrol area. Following the death of Ndungutse, his son Buhanga took over the reign of the group but he faced stiff resistance from his brother karateka hence they had a bitter standoff after which karateka managed to annex 3 family members but these were soon taken back by Buhanga on 10^th January 1998 following an interaction with karateka and this left karateka as a lonely wanderer without any family to belong to. On 06^th February 1998, the fight for supremacy continued on when Buhanga had a bitter contest with Kabirizi who was by then a loner silverback.

The contest left Buhanga severely bruised but out of sheer power he managed to keep the family stuck together. Buhanga, later on, succumbed to his injuries which left the family without a dominant silverback to take over the reign, this led to an adult female named Nsekuye taking on the leadership role acting as a dominant silverback to keep the family together. Nsekuye’s leadership was a short spell as she was overthrown on 23^rd February 1998 by Munyaga who was a loner wandering the jungles of Virunga. Kabirizi continued interacting with Munyaga until he managed to get back all his females that Munyaga had annexed earlier on, he also had managed to annex more family members from Luwawa family whose dominant silverback had been killed sometime back in1995.

This made the Kabirizi family be so large and as result, the group split into 2 groups on 27^th January 2013. Kabirizi was left with 16 members while the breakaway faction led by Kabirizi’s son Bageni left with 20 members. Kabirizi as of now comprises of 19 members with 2 silverbacks,1 black back, 1 sub adult male, 3 sub adult females, 4 juveniles, and 4 infants. This group can be found in the Bukima area.

Bageni Family

Bageni family was formed when Bageni silverback son of Kabirizi decided to split from his father’s family Kabirizi and form his own family in January of 2013. Bageni left Kabrizi family with 20 individuals including his mother Mapendo and some of his brothers. Over the past few years, Bageni has managed to oversee growth of his family and now controls a family of 26 individuals with Bageni as the dominant silverback, 2 black backs, 10 adult females, 1 sub adult female, 3 juveniles and 9 babies. This family can be seen in Bukima and Gatovu areas

Nyakamwe Family

The Nyakamwe family came into existence after being split from Humba family which was as a result of internal bickering between Humba the leader of Humba family and his younger brother Nyakamwe. Nyakamwe managed to break away from Humba with 10 family members on the 24^th of April 2014 leaving Humba with only 6 members under his control. Nyakamwe now leads a group of 11 members with 2 silverbacks, 1 black back, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, 1 sub adult female and 2 babies. This family is found in Bukima area of Virunga national park

Humba Family

Humba family was created after a split from Rugendo family in 1998 which added to the bascket of gorilla families available for Congo Gorilla trek safari trips. Humba is a son to Rugendo but he left his natal family with 6 individuals among which was his brother silverback Nyakamwe. By 2014, Humba had grown his family to 16 members but a bitter rivalry erupted between Humba and Nyakamwe after which Nyakamwe managed to break away from Humba with 10 of his family members and started his own group. After a few months, Humba managed to get new members into his family like a sub adult female Kakule left Munyaga group and joined Humba. As of now Humba has 10 family members of which 3 are silverbacks, 2 are adult females, 1 is a sub-adult female, 2 are juveniles and 2 are babies. Humba family is located in the Gatovu and Bikenge areas.

With 8 habituated gorilla families open for Congo Gorilla safaris / Congo Gorilla trekking tours, Virunga National Park gives you a new dimension to gorilla trekking Congo safari adventures to the world, for those intrested in going for Mountain Gorilla trek trips in Congo Africa in her beautiful tucked away forests of Virunga ranges where you will go trekking in search for the gorilla families that habituated. Just like in Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, gorilla tracking here is also done in groups of not more than 8 people who get to track each family of gorillas.

Congo Visa Information And Other Travel Requirements.

CONGO VISA

The travelers intending to take up the Democratic Republic of Congo Gorilla Safari tour require a valid passport and tourist Visa.

The duration of the Congo Tourist Visa which can be obtained at all accredited Congo Consulates the world over is 90 Days for Single entry but Multiple Entry Visas are as well available. Kinshasa Airport though not so developed handles considerable traffic compared to the Brazzaville across the River. At Kinshasa, you may have issues going through the Immigration formalities in terms of delay and intensive scrutiny but a small tip can take you through such hurdles. READ MORE

• The travelers planning a Congo Gorilla safari are advised to consult with their doctors for any necessary medical arrangements. But generally on top of yellow Fever Vaccination, the traveler has to take along Malaria medicine as recommended by his / her doctor.
• It is always advisable to have travel insurance or look out for embassy assistance in case of an emergency to advise on recommended hospitals though emergency evacuation to South Africa or Europe is much better if the problem is too serious.
• In DR Congo, Korongo Airlines is the dominant carrier operated by Brussels Airlines and it flies between Kinshasa and Lubumbashi, and Johannesburg.
• The African low-cost carriers through affordable haven’t reached Kinshasa but once they do, it will be great.. READ MORE

In order to experience the thrill of tracking these adorable giants but shy mountain gorillas during a Congo Gorilla tour / Congo Gorilla safari, you need to come to Virunga National Park during the dry season months June- October, and January – February. The dry season is the best time to track gorillas in Virunga National Park because accessibility is quite easy during the dry season and the trails for gorilla tracking are also navigable. During the dry months, the weather is very fine in Virunga National Park with temperatures ranging in the mid-20s and there are low chances of rain though it may occasionally rain especially in the afternoon hours. Congo Gorilla safaris / Congo Gorilla tours can also be undertaken during the wet months, gorilla families tend to stay nearer in the lower slopes of these ranges due to the abundance of food in these lower slopes of the ranges hence making the Congo Gorilla trekking safaris easier and shorter and quite easy for you but still loaded with a multitude of unimaginable experience. During the rainy season, you should come with some rain gear as it can shower any time of the day but it doesn’t rain all day.

For all that wish to do Congo Gorilla safaris, Congo Gorilla trekking permits for Virunga National Park can only be obtained from the Virunga national park using their website BUT is it better through a tour operator who will buy it on your behalf as part of your tour package to Virunga National Park as it many times it has proved to be inconveniencing to many travelers.

Congo gorilla tours are very affordable given that Congo Gorilla trekking permits to Virunga National Park are relatively cheap as compared to Uganda Gorilla permits currently at 600$ BUT after July 2019 shall be at 700$ & Rwanda Gorilla permits that are 1500$. Congo Gorilla trek permits only cost 400$ hence the cheapest in the region which partly explains why Congo Gorilla safaris are steadily picking momentum the world over alongside Mount Nyiragongo Volcano hiking/climbing safari trips.

A Congo gorilla trekking permit in Virunga National Park comes along with services which include entry fees to the park for your Congo gorilla safari tour, services of a guide/ranger that will accompany you as track a gorilla family and it also gets you an hour with the gorilla family after successfully tracking and finding its current location as it is on all Congo Gorilla safaris.

Yes, very true, since 2018, Virunga National Park has discounted gorilla permits. The discounted gorilla permits are available in low season periods. During this time, discounted gorilla permits can be bought for as low as low 200USD, these discounted permits are only available between 15^th March- 15^th May for the first batch and the second batch of these permits is available between 15^th October – 15^th December every year.

How Many People Can Track A Gorilla Family On A Congo Gorilla Safari.

On your Congo Gorilla safari trip, you will realize that each gorilla family in Virunga National Park can be tracked by a group of people between 1-8 individuals. This means that if you are in a group of more than 8 people you will be divided into groups of not more than 8 individuals and each group will track a different gorilla family at the same time.

All people of all ages are welcome to Virunga National Park. However, the gorilla tracking experience is only available to visitors who are aged 15 years and above. This is so because of the greater challenges that might be involved like tracking gorillas for a long time or getting scared on seeing the gorillas themselves as they are huge animals. Children below 15 years shouldn’t be left behind on a visit to Virunga National Park as there are other activities they engage in such as birding, game drives.

For most Congo Gorilla tour packages, the gorilla trekking safari activity in Virunga National Park can take anywhere between 1 hour to possibly 8 hours before you will find the gorilla family you have tracked. The tracking time will majorly depend on the location of the gorilla family whether it is near or very far away, it will also depend on the moods of the gorillas you have tracked, if they seem to be agitated, your ranger guide will cut short your time with the gorillas so as to ensure that you are safe because these animals are wild can sometimes be aggressive though this is a rare occurrence because before gorilla families are open for tourism purposes, they go through a rigorous habituation process in which they get to acclimatize to human presence near them so rest assured that you will be safe. Once gorillas are found, you will be given 1 hour to stay with the gorilla family to interact and photograph unless if you are undertaking  Gorilla habituation.

Congo Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park – Congo Gorilla Safaris in Kahuzi Biega Park.

Kahuzi Biega National Park has the eastern lowland gorillas that have boosted Congo Gorilla safaris. Eastern lowland gorillas are the largest of the 4 existing gorilla species with a male eastern lowland gorilla having an average weight of 210kg or 460ib while females weigh less with an average weight of 100kg or 220ib. the males have an average standing height of 1.85m or 6.1ft while females stand at an average of 1.6m of5.2ft. The eastern lowland gorilla has large stocky arms and a short muzzle with less fur on the head. On a Congo Gorilla tour you will notice that these gorillas have a jet-black coat similar to that of mountain gorillas. The male eastern gorillas still have a grey coat which will eventually turn into a silver grey coat especially on the back hence the terming silver back. Just like their mountain cousins, lowland gorillas live in large groups called families which are headed by an alpha dominant male, whose main responsibility is to offer protection to his family. The family can consist of members ranging from 2-35 on average including a number of adult females and their off springs. When these off springs mature especially the male, they are likely to leave their natal family, become bachelors for a time being as they try to attract females to join them and form their own family. These gorillas are usually calm giants who will even shy away when directly contacted. These gorillas are normally herbivores eating leaves, fruits, stems and small insects such as termites and ants. They are not usually seen drinking water and its believed that this is so because they foliage mostly on leaves that are highly succulent with high water content. Eastern gorillas have a gestation period of about 8 and ½ months and will breast feed their babies for around 3 years’ time. Male infants will only reach maturity at 12 years while the female babies will attain maturity at 10 years.

How Many Gorilla Families Are in Kahuzi Biega National Park are open for Congo Gorilla Safaris?

Those who wish to visit Congo for Congo Gorilla trekking trip in Kahuzi Biega National Park will note that the park has 8 gorilla families but only 2 of these have been habituated for Congo Gorilla trekking safari trips purposes and they are;-

Chimanuka family

Chimanuka family is led by a dominant silver back called Chimanuka is one Congo Gorilla Safari family that has facinated many Congo Gorilla trekking visitors to Kahuzi Biega park. This family comprises of 36 members which include 17 females and 18 infants aged 6 months to 9 years old. This family has heavily defied odds by having 4 sets of twin births which is highly uncommon among the gorillas.

Mugaruka family.

This is the second habituated gorilla family in Kahuzi Biega National Park. This family is under the leadership of Mugaruka as the dominant silverback and he his highly protective of his family members always fighting with Chimanuka and other gorillas who come to annex some of his family members. Unfortunately, as you will witness on your Congo Gorilla tours, Mugaruka lost one of his hand to a poacher’s trap and this has greatly hindered his ability to protect his family and as a result all his family members left him and joined Chimanuka hence leaving him in a solitude state.

With 2 habituated Congo gorilla safari families, Kahuzi Biega National Park gives you yet another oportuniy to vist Congo and enjoy yet a unique Congo Gorilla tour experience as you trek lowland gorillas making a Congo safari tour to see gorillas facinating for you can combine Lowland Congo gorilla trekking with Congo gorilla safaris to the Virunaga Park to trek and see mountain Gorilla. Again like ALL Congo Gorilla Safaris in Virunga, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is also done in groups of not more than 8 people who track each family of gorillas. When a family tracked and found by tourists, they are given an hour to photograph and observe these gorillas as they go about their rounds in their natural habitats. Kahuzi Biega National Park offers 16 gorilla permits per day hence prior booking is recommended. Gorilla permits here cost 400$ per person per day.

Many Congo visitors on Congo Gorilla Safaris worry about their chances of seeing a gorilla family in Virunga National Park. It is quite a sure deal as you have almost over 90% to see gorillas on your Congo gorilla tour because before you track a gorilla family, park rangers track it very early in the morning, establish its current location, and will radio to your ranger guide about the current location of the gorilla family you are to track so that you have prior knowledge of their location before you set out to track that family. The only challenge that might raise is that of the gorilla family to keep changing its location but still, you will keep with this family as it moves. This assurance has made gorilla trekking congo safaris grow in popularity since visitors are not disappointed

What Are The General Congo Gorilla Trekking Rules?

• For anyone to take part in Congo gorilla safari treks, they should be aged 15 years and above.
• A maximum number of 8 visitors may visit a group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day on their Congo gorilla tour. this minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.
• Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas on the way to the gorillas on your Congo gorilla trip:
• Please always keep your voices low. you will also be able to observe the great birdlife and other wildlife in the forest.
• During your Congo gorilla safari visit, do not leave rubbish in the park. whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.
• During your Congo gorilla visit, you will be taken to where the guides observed the gorillas the day before. from there you will follow the gorilla’s trail to find them/go gorilla trekking in Congo’s Virunga forest park. Look out for the gorilla’s nesting sites along the way!
• When you approach the mountain gorillas, the guides will inform you to get ready to interact with the gorillas to make your dream Congo Gorilla trekking safari memorable.

What Are The Congo Gorilla Trekking Rules While With The Gorillas?

• A 7-meter (21 feet) distance should be tried to be observed at all times from the gorillas whenever you do Congo gorilla trekking. the further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
• You must stay in a tight group when you are near the gorillas – even when you have done several Congo gorilla safaris.
• Keep your voices down at all times. however, it is okay to ask the guide questions to gain the best out of your Congo gorilla safari.
• Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are near the gorillas. eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases.
• Sometimes the gorillas charge. When this happens during your Congo gorilla trip, follow the guide’s guidance and example (crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes, and wait for the animals to pass). Do not attempt to run away because that will increase the risk.
• Flash photography is not permitted! when taking pictures move slowly and carefully.
• Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals and this should be strictly observed to ensure you have a great end to your Gorilla tour Congo safari.
• The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. however, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early for a safe ending of your Congo gorilla safari BUT this is on a rare occasion.
• After seeing the gorilla on your Congo gorilla trek keep your voices down until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.

What Are General Health Rules That Are Observed During Congo Gorilla Trekking Safaris?

• Remember that mountain gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. the following rules are ways to minimize the risk your visit might poses to them so as to make Congo gorilla safaris sustainable:
• Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. this minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
• If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind even if it is your maiden Congo gorilla safari visit. an alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
• If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas during your Congo gorilla safaris, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
• Always stay 7 meters (21 feet) away from the gorillas. this is to protect them from catching human diseases.
• Do not leave any rubbish (eg. food wrappers) in the park; foreign items can harbor diseases or other contaminants.
• If you need to go to the toilet while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. Make sure the hole is 30 cm deep and fill it in when you are finished.

What To Carry/What To Pack On Your Congo Gorilla Safari In Virunga National Park & Kahuzi Biega National Park?

• For ALL Congo Gorilla safaris, Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.
• Put on earplugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds.
• Carry a packed lunch and enough drinking water as Congo gorilla safaris sometimes are throat drying due to the mountain hikes undertaken as you search for the Gorillas
• Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable), and insect repellent.
• Bring a photo of a film camera to capture your everlasting Congo gorilla trek safari in Africa. using flashlights is not permitted so we recommend using films of 400-800 ASA.

Gorilla tracking permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park can only be obtained from the Kahuzi Beiga Park using their email where you write to the park and book a gorilla tracking permit or through a tour operator who will buy it on your behalf as part of your tour package to Kahuzi Biega.

order to experience the thrill of tracking these adorable giant but shy mountain gorillas, you need to come to Kahuzi Biega during the dry season months June- October and January – February. The dry season is the best time to track gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park because accessibility is quite easy during the dry season and the trails for gorilla tracking are also navigable. During the dry months, the weather is very fine with temperatures ranging in the mid 20s and there are low chances of rain though it may occasionally rain especially in the afternoon hours. You can also track gorillas during the wet months, gorilla families tend to stay nearer in the lower slopes of these ranges due to abundance of food in these lower slopes of the ranges hence making the trekking time shorter and quite easy for you but still loaded with a multitude of unimaginable experience. During the rainy season you should come with some rain gear as it can shower anytime of the day but it doesn’t rain all day.

Gorilla trekking permits in Kahuzi Biega National Park Democratic Republic of Congo are relatively cheap as compared to other permit prices within the region and like Virunga park, they cost only 400USD for a permit and secure yourself a magical experience of a life time with these gentle eastern lowland giants.

A gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega National Park should be booked at least 3 months, this is because the gorilla trekking permits in Kahuzi Biega National Park are only 16 in number hence there is high demand for them.

A gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega National Park comes along with services which include entry fees to the park, services of a guide/ranger that will accompany you as track a gorilla family and it also gets you an hour with the gorilla family after successfully tracking and finding its current location.

Yes, it’s very true. Kahuzi Biega National Park has discounted gorilla permits available to students at a cost of only 200USD.

Your chances of seeing a gorilla family in Kahuzi Biega National Park are high almost over 90% because before you track a gorilla family, park rangers track it very early in the morning and will radio to your ranger guide about the current location of the gorilla family you are to track so that you have prior knowledge of their location before you set out to track that family. The only challenge that might raise is that of the gorilla family to keep changing its location.