3 Days Congo Gorilla Safari – Starting From Rwanda

3 Days Congo gorilla safari tour to Virunga National Park offers a different experience from Uganda and Rwanda. The increase in the price for gorilla permits in Rwanda has made silverback gorilla tours and safaris to Uganda and DR Congo better and more economically feasible. A gorilla permit in DR Congo costs only 400USD whereas in Rwanda gorilla permits cost $1500. This three days Congo gorilla safari to Virunga National Park is designed to give our clients a cheaper but unique opportunity to do gorilla trekking at the great Virunga national park which despite bad press and recent closures has so much to offer.

Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest national park. The park is special because of its remarkable biodiversity and landscape. All this is because of its location in the middle of the Albertine rift. It consists of savanna grasslands, plains, Afro-montane forests and marshlands. Virunga national park has two of the most active volcanoes in the African continent including Nyamuragira and Nyiragongo. These two volcanoes account for 30 percent of the most recent volcanic eruptions in Africa. They also give the park unique afro-alpine kinds of vegetation. Apart from the Virunga volcanoes, 20 percent of the Rwenzori 3 Days Congo Gorilla Tour Mountain is found in the park. Virunga is also home to 218 species of mammals including Thomas cobs, elephants, lions, buffaloes and the rare Okapi. Virunga national park is home to the largest population of hippos in the world. Over 19,000 can be found in the numerous rives within and outside the park.

However, the key attractions in the park are the mountain gorillas and climbing mount Nyiragongo. 20 percent of the remaining population of mountain gorillas are found here. Uganda and Rwanda may have more mountain gorillas but the Virunga National Park has the only mountain gorilla orphanage in the world. After tracking the gorillas, tourists have an opportunity to visit this interesting Centre for free. The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) is responsible for the overall management of the park but has had to deal with many challenges. A new challenge is the discovery of oil within the park. This could lead to the destruction of key wildlife habitat to build oil wells and encroachment on park land.

The 3 Days Congo gorilla tour starts from Rwanda before crossing to Goma town in Congo via Gisenyi.

The gorilla trekking in Congo package includes visiting Lake Kivu and touring Kigali. You may also be interested in our 2 days Congo gorilla tour package.

Day 1: Arrival and pick – Tour of Kigali city – Transfer to Virunga National Park

3 Days Gorilla Safari in Congo Our Guide will pick you from the airport or hotel in Kigali. After briefing you about the tour, he/she will take you for a tour of the city of Kigali. You will visit the former presidential palace, the genocide memorial site, the main city market and artisan shops. This is a great opportunity to buy souvenir or gifts for friends and family. After the morning city tour, the driver will start the journey to the Congo border. On reaching the Congo border, you will have lunch, visit the migration office and be handed over to the Virunga National Park Authorities for transfer to your lodge in the park.

Dinner and accommodation will be at Mikeno Lodge (Luxury) or Kibumba Tented Camp (Mid-range).

Day 2:  Gorilla Trekking in Congo – Evening Relaxation or visit the Senkwekwe Centre

3 Days Congo Gorilla Trekking, You will wake up very early to take breakfast as you wait for the park authorities to pick you up from your hotel. The benefit of staying close to the Virunga national park office is that you will start the briefing for gorilla tracking on time. There are 8 habituated gorilla groups in Congo. You will be allocated a gorilla group based on your level of fitness among other factors. Listen to instructions from the Guides and Rangers while with the gorilla family. Stay calm and don’t make unnecessary noise and movements that might provoke the gorillas. After your one hour with the gorillas, return back to the starting point where you will meet your guide to drive back to the lodge for rest. In the evening, you can take a walk, relax at the hotel or visit the gorilla orphanage at the Senkwekwe Centre if you are staying in Mikeno lodge.

Dinner and accommodation will be at Mikeno Lodge (Luxury) or Kibumba Tented Camp (Mid-range).

Day 3: Transfer back to Kigali for departure

Wake up at your own leisure, take breakfast and prepare to start the journey back to Kigali. The park authorities will drive you up to the border crossing point where you will cross back into Rwanda and meet a driver from Worthwhile Africa Safaris.