Democratic Republic of Congo is located in the African continent and it has several destinations to visit for adventure and explore like Virunga National Park, Kahuzi Biega National Park and more. While in these destinations below is a list of activities you can do.
Gorilla Trekking
This activity involves visiting the Gorillas in the Jungle and when it comes to DR Congo it has both Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas, Mountain Gorillas are found in Virunga National Park and Lowland Gorillas are found in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Gorilla trekking tours are the most popular activities liked by most of the travelers to East Africa since in the all world these Gorillas are found only in three countries namely Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo
When you are planning to visit Mountain Gorillas in DR Congo its better you fly in at Kigali airport in Rwanda you may have an overnight stay in Kigali and next day you will be transferred by your local tour operator up to Goma border where you will cross from, but you are required to get both Rwanda & DR Congo Visa to allow you when crossing border. Among the three countries DR Congo has less Gorilla population as compared to Rwanda and Uganda, to visit the Gorillas in DR Congo you must but a Gorilla Permit which costs $400 USD per person.
A group of eight people are allowed to go for the trekking per Gorilla family, early in the morning after your breakfast you will be briefed about the Dos & Don’ts while with the Gorillas by the park officials in Bukima. After the briefing you will be assigned a park ranger to guide you through the Jungle when searching for the Gorillas. When you discover these apes you are required to stay in their presence for only one hour while sharing with them, experiencing their way of living, taking photos and more.
Since Democratic Republic of Congo has two types of Gorillas so it’s your choice to choose whether you go for Mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park or go for Low land Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park as there are only found here.
Mountain Nyiragongo Hiking
Mountain Nyiragongo is among the most popular active volcanoes in the world and it’s found in the Democratic Republic of Congo found in the Central part of African continent. Hiking this Volcanoes takes two days and if you are in for your holidays in DR Congo you can add on Gorilla trekking. Let me take you through the process of Hiking Mountain Nyiragongo, if you are from Rwanda you will be transferred by your local tour operator to Goma border and then you will be transferred by the Virunga Safari jeeps up to the Starting point in Kibati.
Mountain Nyiragongo hiking costs $300 USD per person plus the Mikeno package which costs $80 USD and it includes some wearing gears like Jackets put on while at the top because its very cold plus food cooked while at the top, usually its advised to hire a porter to carry for you your luggage and he costs $24 USD. Day one is for hiking and it starts at 10:00Am and you will be able to reach at the top by 6:00Pm, rest a bit and refresh prepare food for supper & you will spend a night at the top to sight the night view of its burning Lava, you can take photos for memories and after go for sleep in the reserved accommodation at the top. Early morning for day two is for descending back from the top of the Volcanoes and this is really a great experience which unforgettable, when you reach the starting point you will be waited by the Virunga Safari Jeeps to transfer you up to Goma border, clear with officials at the Virunga offices then after cross border and meet your local tour operator who will be already waiting for you and transfer for another activity either in Rwanda & Uganda or if no any other activity you will be dropped to the airport for your return flight back home.
Chimpanzee Habituation Walk
This is another activity you should not miss out on your bucket list while in DR Congo for your travel holidays, this activity is done in Tongo forest which is located in the Virunga Massif since these primates are found in this forest and its usually started in the early morning where you are assigned a park ranger to lead you through since most of the times these rangers are informed of where these primates spent the last night. Always a group of four people are allowed for a walk and it usually costs $100 USD per person which is usually paid from Mikeno and once paid its non refundable unless if later its discovered that you are suspected to be with infectious diseases you will be disqualified and your money is refunded back.
