Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the best destinations for gorilla trekking activities as it has two gorilla types resided in two different gorilla national parks.

The country protects the eastern lowland gorillas resided in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and the rare endangered mountain gorillas which can be trekked in the country’s most popular Park, Virunga National Park.

Planning to go visit gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo, it is very important to secure your gorilla permit in advance, through reliable tour agencies such as Eco tours Congo.

Ordinarily when you book a safari with any of the above agencies, a gorilla permit is included in the price quotation.

Upon payment of a deposit for your safari with your agency, it will normally email you a scanned copy of your gorilla permit – thus you are assured of participating in the gorilla trekking experience. Gorilla trekking is somehow a tiresome but doable activity.

The rare endangered mountain gorillas are only found in three countries; Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Congo is the cheapest of all the other gorilla trekking countries.

A Congo gorilla permit costs US$ 400, which is an unbeatable price if you are to compare it to the cost of Uganda’s gorilla permit which costs US$ 600 and that of Rwanda which also costs US$ 1500.

It is possible to make an international booking for permits using email direct with your chosen tour agency but they do not accept credit cards so it gets a bit complicated.

Gorilla trekking is a lifetime experience that you will achieve from Virunga Park and the activity is done in groups of 8 trekkers visiting a group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day.

This minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases. Always trekkers are emphasized to wash their hands before heading out to the gorillas.

The interaction with the gorillas lasts for only one hour but the experience achieved from that one hour is of a lifetime.

However, trekkers are advised to; minimize their voices during the tracking, do not litter in the Park, keep a distance of at least 7 meters away from the primates, do not use flashlight cameras and you should also access the Park headquarters in time, before 7:00am briefing time.

Booking a gorilla permit through a tour agency:

Securing a Congo gorilla permit directly through Virunga National Park is possible but It is somehow complicated and thus most travelers prefer booking with the local tour agencies to booking through Virunga.

The tour agencies will not charge you for buying gorilla permits if you are getting other tour services such as; car hire, tours and transfers, through them but if you only would like them to help you acquire the gorilla permit alone, then charges may apply to help secure a gorilla permit or Nyiragongo hike permit.

Securing your gorilla permit through a tour operator/agency is quicker than booking directly through the national park.

Procedures:

- Contact the tour agency and let them know your actual dates you will want to travel to Democratic Republic of Congo with clear days you want to see the rare endangered mountain gorillas and hiking of Nyiragongo volcano, to get stunning views of the world’s largest bubbling lava lake, in Virunga National Park.

- The agency’s tour consultant, via email or phone call, will let you know if the days you have suggested are available for gorilla trekking and tentatively book them for you.

- The agency will then send for you the ‘’our bank details’’ such that you send the money for the gorilla permit, Nyiragongo permit and Visa, if included in the price.

- It will take about 3-5 days for the agency to receive the money from your bank and then pay for your permits. However, travelers are advised to include the bank charges when authorizing the transaction.

You are also emphasized to forward in your passport details with the vital details including; full names, passport number, and nationality.

- Owing a gorilla permit is now a guarantee and you will be assured that you will go for the lifetime experience of gorilla trekking in Virunga and as soon as the payment is received, it means that the permits for gorilla tracking are purchased.

- Possessing a gorilla permit means that you will not pay for the park entrance fee as the permit covers all that.

- For those who will also go for the hiking of Nyiragongo will need to have the Nyiragongo hike permit which costs US$ 300.

Things to pack for a gorilla safari include;

- Carry a packed lunch and enough drinking water.

- Don’t forget a photo of film camera. Using flashlight is not permitted so you are highly to use films of 400-800 ASA.

- Carry rain gears, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent.

- Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.

- Put on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds.