Congo Gorilla Trekking Virunga National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari

Our  Congo Gorilla Trekking Virunga National Park 1-Day Rwanda Safari is a fast-paced, cross-border expedition designed for travelers who want to trek mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) while starting and ending their day in Rwanda.

This itinerary is often chosen for its relative affordability compared to Rwanda’s local trekking options. The tour involves a very early (approximately 0400 Hours) pick-up from Gisenyi/Rwanda, or 0600 Hours from Goma.

The itinerary includes an 0800 Hours briefing at Bukima Patrol Post, a 2–5-hour trek to find gorillas, 1 hour of viewing, and a return journey to Rwanda. 

Detailed 1-Day Virunga Gorilla Trekking Itinerary (Via Rwanda)

0400 Hours – 0430 Hours –Departure from Rwanda: Early Departure Pick-up from your residence or hotel in Kigali or Gisenyi/Rubavu. You will begin the drive toward the Grande Barrière border crossing in Goma

0500 Hours – Border Crossing: Cross the Rwanda-Congo border at the Grande Barrière (Goma border). You will need to process your DRC visa and present your yellow fever card.

0600 Hours – Arrival in Goma/Transfer: Meet your guide in Goma for a transfer to the Bukima Patrol Post.

0730 Hours – Arrival at Bukima: Arrive at the Bukima Patrol Post for a check-in and briefing.

0800 Hours – Briefing & Trekking: Park rangers provide a briefing on gorilla etiquette. Start the trek to find one of the habituated gorilla families, which takes 2–5 hours depending on their location.

1200 Hours – Gorilla Observation: Spend exactly one hour with the mountain gorillas.

1300 Hours – Return Trek: Trek back to the Bukima patrol post.

1400 Hours – Return Journey: Have lunch and transfer back to Goma, cross the border back to Rwanda (Gisenyi)

1800 Hours – End of Safari: Drop off at your hotel in Gisenyi or transfer to Kigali

Important Information

✓ Vaccines: Yellow fever, tetanus, and polio vaccines are mandatory
✓ Age Restriction: Only individuals 15 years and older are allowed to trek
✓ Porters: Hiring a local porter is highly recommended to assist with bags and terrain
✓ Health: A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for border crossing
✓ Inclusions: Most packages cover 4×4 transportation, guide services, boat fees, and lunch
✓  What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, and a camera for the landscape
✓ Gear: Wear long-sleeved shirts, trousers, hiking boots, and gloves to protect against thorns and nettles
✓ Visas: You require a valid DRC Visa (applied for in advance via the park) and a Rwanda Re-entry Visa (or East African Tourist Visa)
✓ Cost: Gorilla permits in Congo are currently cheaper than in Rwanda, costing roughly US Dollars, or 200 US Dollars during low season (Must be booked in advance)

Congo Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari is a popular day excursion for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. Virunga National Park is located on the Eastern side of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Situated in the center of the Albertine Rift, between Uganda and Rwanda, Virunga’s 7,800 square km (3,000 square miles) stretches from the Virunga Massif in the south to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north.

Virunga National Park was founded in 1925 by Parc Albert. It was the first national park to be established on the continent of Africa. Virunga National Park is home to about 200 gorillas, which live mostly on the southern side of the park.

Gorilla trekking in Congo’s Virunga National Park is popular because gorilla permits are inexpensive. Rwanda gorilla permits cost about 1500 US Dollars per person, while Uganda gorilla permits cost 600 US Dollars per person. The Democratic Republic of Congo gorilla permit costs only 400 US Dollars per person.

In addition, Virunga National Park is less congested than other tracking areas, such as Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

Virunga National Park activities include Mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking safaris, nature walks, Nyiragongo active volcano hike, sightseeing, landscape viewing, and birding.

Virunga’s most prominent animals include forest and savanna elephants, buffalo, duiker, hippos, okapis, lions, Mountain Gorillas, Eastern Lowland Gorilla, and Eastern Chimpanzee. Bird species include Grey Crowned-Crane, African Fish Eagle, Shoebill, and Great Blue Turaco, etc.

0400 Hours: Our 1-day gorilla trekking safari adventure from Kigali begins with an early pick up from your hotel by our safari driver guide, followed by a transfer to Virunga National Park. Kindly note that we can also start from Kisoro town or Goma town.

The drive from Kigali to Gisenyi takes about 3 hours. Gisenyi shares a common border with Goma, the city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Goma is about 30 miles/ 48 km (1 hour driving time) from the Virunga National Park Headquarters.

0800 Hours: Upon arrival at Virunga National Park Headquarters, we register and receive a briefing on the gorilla trekking adventure.  We then transfer to the gorilla trekking start point in the Park.

A game ranger accompanies you in the search for the gorillas. Only a maximum of 8 individuals per day are allowed to trek. The reason is to help reduce the spread of diseases from humans to the mountain gorillas.

Only children aged 15 or older are allowed to go on the trek. Gorilla trekking takes place during the day, between 0800 hours and 1900 hours. Once you meet them, you are given exactly 1 hour to spend with the mountain gorillas.

Your Gorilla trekking adventure can take as little as an hour or go on for up to 5 hours. On some days, it can be a 20 to 40-minute hike from the way into the forest.

On other days, it can take more than an hour’s walk to reach the Mountain gorillas, since they are always on the move in search of food.

After we trek back to the base of the Virunga Volcanic Mountain range to meet up with our driver and begin our journey back to Kigali, Rwanda. Those who started the tour from Kisoro or Goma will also be dropped off at their respective places of residence.

Congo Gorilla Trekking Virunga National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari Prices Include;

✓ Park Entrance Fees
✓ Relevant government taxes
✓ Bottle of water while on safari
✓ Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
✓ Services of a professional English-speaking Driver/ Guide
✓400 US Dollars Gorilla Permit for Virunga National Park per person per trek
✓ Round-trip transportation from Kigali to the DRCongo Virunga National Park

Notes

* Tour can be customized
* Tour Can Depart any day
* Age Limit: 15 years and above
* Solo travelers can join this tour
* This tour starts and ends in Kigali/ Rwanda
* You will need a good amount of fitness to do the trek
* You’ll visit Virunga National Park in DR Congo, and the main activity is gorilla tracking
* A yellow fever vaccination is a requirement because you will NOT BE ALLOWED into the country without proof of inoculation

Congo Gorilla Trekking Virunga National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari Prices Exclude;

* Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of 1 person required
* Porters during the gorilla trekking
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* The Democratic Republic of Congo VISA (100 US Dollars) and Rwanda Visa fees, international airfares, and airport taxes; meals
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

* Bottle water
* Sunscreen is essential
* A decent rain jacket that’s made of breathable material
* A daypack that can fit snacks, a water bottle, a camera, and warm clothes
* Long hiking pants and long socks (You should tuck your pants inside your socks to protect yourself from ants!)
* A non-flash camera, although there’s no need to bring a zoom lens on this trek (you’ll always be within several meters of the gorillas!)
* Hiking boots that are comfortable and water-resistant. You may choose some you have worn before. This way, you will know these boots will not hurt you

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