Yes, trekking gorillas in Congo is safe for all kinds of tourists. Congo has indeed been experiencing numerous political unrest, including in the gorilla destinations. The Congolese government in collaboration with the administrations of its national parks and other international governments has enhanced security in the country. This has been through enforcing many strategies to curb rebels or terrorists and maintain peace and stability in the country. Around the national parks, the rangers are well-trained and equipped with modern firearms and deployed in key areas to minimize attacks on people including tourists.
Nevertheless, since terror attacks and crimes are mostly sudden, each traveler should be aware of what is happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as ensure vigilance while in the country. You can always be in touch with a reputable tour company like Standard Safaris for unbiased information about what is happening in the country. Also, book your gorilla trekking tour in advance, so that you are offered security personnel while traveling inside Congo’s gorilla parks. Ensure to have your travel documents before traveling to avoid suspicion of the legality of your entry into the country.
Where to trek gorillas in the Congo
Gorilla treks in Congo are primarily done in 2 destinations Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park. They are described as follows.
Virunga National Park in the east of Congo sits on a land surface area of around 7,769 square kilometers in the Albertine Rift region. It is part of the Virunga Massif and one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Its varied assortment of habitats includes volcanoes, Afromontane forests, steppes, wetlands, and savannahs. These provide perfect shelter to over 350 mountain gorillas, with at least 10 gorilla families living there. Eight of these families were habituated for trekking tours and you can do this activity throughout the year. Gorilla trekking tours require that you first acquire a gorilla permit from the park headquarters. Standard Safaris can do this on your behalf to ensure that you have a hassle-free gorilla trek.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the east of Congo sits on a land surface area of about 6,000 square kilometers in the Albertine Rift region. The park is renowned for its healthy population of the unique eastern lowland gorillas that live in the Afromontane and tropical forest habitats. Kahuzi-Biega National Park contains the largest population of eastern lowland gorillas, with over 350 individuals and at least 9 gorilla families. There are at least 2 families that have been fully habituated for tracking tours. The gorilla trekking tours start at around 7 am at the park headquarters, with a briefing held by the park warden. You need a gorilla permit to track the gorillas and this can be acquired at the park headquarters through Standard Safaris.
Fundamental tips for having a safe gorilla trek in Congo
Having a successful gorilla trek in either Virunga National Park or Kahuzi-Biega National Park depends on your adherence to various rules and regulations. These were mostly established by the park authorities. These include the following.
- Turn off the flash if you are taking photos to avoid startling the gorillas. Plus, you should start taking pictures only when the ranger guide instructs.
- Do not make noise while in the forest because this might cause more disruption to the wildlife including gorillas. If you are to talk, do it in a low voice.
- Stay within your group at all times during the entire trek to avoid straying away. If you encircle the gorillas, they might assume that you are an enemy, which might trigger their aggressive defense response
- If a gorilla, most especially the alpha male approaches you, do not stare back at him, since this might otherwise be taken as provocation by the primate. You should either face the ground, or squat to show submission. Wait for instructions from the ranger guide since they have the experience of responding to such heart-pounding situations.
- Arrive at the starting point earlier, around 7 am for a briefing by the park authority. This will ensure that you have your trek during the day because gorilla trekking cannot be done at night. Ensure that you are led by a ranger guide and an armed ranger to ensure that you do not get lost while staying safe from any wild animal or dangerous human.
- Ensure that you are at least 15 years old, which is the recommended minimum age for tracking gorillas in Congo. Children are prohibited because they are usually impulsive and can cause chaos by failing to obey trekking rules.
- Avoid tracking gorillas while ill, since this might affect your physical fitness, subsequently affecting your ability to reach the gorillas in time. This is also to avoid the spread of disease to the vulnerable gorillas, due to their susceptibility to some human diseases.
- Maintain a safe distance of at least 7 meters away from the gorilla group to avoid physical contact as much as possible.
- While in the presence of the gorillas, stay with them for only an hour or even less if instructed by the ranger guide. This helps avoid disruption of the normal behavior of the gorillas which might make them consider you as a nuisance.
- Always keep yourself up to date with the security issues in Congo. This can also be done through a reputable tour company like Standard Safaris, by contacting us at any time using our various communication platforms provided on the website.
Best time to trek gorillas in Congo
Visit Congo during the dry season to trek gorillas when the weather conditions are characterized as much warmer and drier in comparison to the rainy season. The dry season is normally expected in January, February, June, July, August, September, and December. You will have an uninterrupted trekking experience due to the low possibility of showers in the forests, as you walk on dry gorilla trails. Accessing either Virunga National Park or Kahuzi-Biega National Park is also much simpler because the roads are less muddy and impassable. The vegetation in the forest is also less crowded thus making gorilla treks require little effort by the visitor.
However, if you require more challenging gorilla treks, that require much effort as you navigate on muddy trails, the wet season is the best time for you to travel to Congo for this. The vegetation in the forest is also denser, offering great opportunities for photography and birdwatching activities. Accommodation services are most likely to be offered at discounted rates. The forests are also less crowded to allow solo travelers or those who prefer less crowded tour adventures to have intimate encounters with the gorillas of Congo. This adventure might also be more thrilling as locating the gorillas becomes more challenging due to being less active and hiding behind the dense foliage.
Packing for gorilla trekking in Congo
Standard Safaris recommends that you pack the following essential items to enjoy your gorilla trek in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
- Hiking boots, pair of waterproof socks and gaiters
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Light clothes (dull-colored trousers and long-sleeved shirt)
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Garden gloves
- Suncream and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Snack box with snacks
- Scarf
- Hiking stick
- Travel documents (visa)
- Camera and extra battery
- Binoculars
- Backpack
- Torch
- Extra cash for tipping or purchasing souvenirs
- First aid kit, toiletries, and personal medication
- Insect repellent to ward off biting insects
