Congo remains one of the few countries where mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas live in protected reserves within their native habitat. That fact alone places it in a rare category of primate conservation destinations. But unlike its regional neighbours, the Democratic Republic of Congo carries an additional weight: history, complexity, and misperception.
Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga are the only two parks where gorilla trekking is permitted in the country. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, designated in 1979 and 1980, respectively. Their ecological significance cannot be overstated. These areas sit within a complex web of cross-border conservation, local community interaction, and state-level protection efforts.
This is part of what makes trekking in Congo so unique and so frequently questioned.
International tourists often raise the same inquiry. Is it safe? It’s not a trivial concern, and it deserves a factual answer. That’s what this guide provides. It explores every relevant aspect of gorilla trekking in Congo: safety mechanisms, access logistics, permit structure, wildlife profiles, and the conservation efforts underpinning the experience.
Stay with us through the article, and by the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of what’s required and what to expect. Clarity, not persuasion, is the intention here. Let’s begin.
Where to Go Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Virunga National Park
Virunga lies in eastern Congo, within North Kivu Province. It shares borders with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Established in 1925, it is Africa’s oldest national park.
This is the only park in Congo where visitors can track mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei). As of 2024, several habituated gorilla groups remain open for trekking, including the Kabirizi and Humba families. All treks are guided by armed ICCN rangers. Group sizes are limited to a maximum of 8 participants.
Permits for gorilla trekking in Virunga cost USD 400 per person. This fee includes ranger services and park entry. Tours typically begin from Bukima station, approximately 1.5 hours by road from Goma.
For security reasons, Virunga’s operations fluctuate. The park was closed from 2018 to early 2019 following safety incidents, and again in later periods due to militia activity. It reopened under strict safety protocols, which remain in place. Tourists are required to book through registered operators affiliated with the Virunga Foundation.
If you’re considering trekking in Virunga, always verify the current park status with ICCN or your tour provider before planning your visit.
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Located in South Kivu Province, Kahuzi-Biéga lies near the town of Bukavu on the western edge of Lake Kivu. The park spans both lowland and montane zones, although gorilla tracking takes place in the highland section.
Kahuzi-Biéga is home to the largest population of eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), also known as Grauer’s gorillas. This subspecies is more robust than its mountain counterpart and is unique to Congo.
Gorilla trekking here operates from Tshivanga Visitor Centre, around 30 kilometres from Bukavu. Treks vary in length, depending on the location of the family group that day. The permit cost is also USD 400 per person, with group sizes capped at 6.
Unlike Virunga, Kahuzi-Biéga has seen fewer disruptions in operations. It remains one of the most stable gorilla trekking destinations in the region, despite its proximity to conflict-affected areas.
Trekkers are advised to coordinate directly with park staff or licensed tour agencies, especially for arranging secure transport from Bukavu.
Is Gorilla Trekking in Congo Safe?
Congo’s eastern provinces, particularly North Kivu and South Kivu, have experienced armed conflict and militia activity for decades. This reality shapes how tourism functions.
The Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) operates under the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. ICCN maintains an armed ranger force of over 700 personnel in Virunga alone. These rangers receive support from the Congolese military, MONUSCO peacekeepers, and international conservation donors.
Security corridors for tourists are heavily patrolled. These include Goma to Bukima in North Kivu and Bukavu to Tshivanga in South Kivu. Movement outside these corridors requires military clearance or escort.
ICCN issues travel advisories in coordination with UN security branches and suspends tourism immediately when risk levels rise. Park closures have occurred multiple times in the past decade and are often sudden.
Trekking Protocols and On-Site Protection
Every trekking group moves with two armed rangers, a lead tracker, and a second wildlife monitor. These teams maintain radio contact with field command.
All treks begin with a safety briefing. Guidelines prohibit approaching gorillas closer than 7 metres, although gorillas may sometimes reduce that gap on their own.
Visitors are required to follow single-file movement, avoid sudden gestures, and keep conversations low. No food is allowed on trek routes.
Each park has trained medical responders and rapid evacuation agreements with regional hospitals. Virunga also maintains an emergency airlift partnership with the UN for critical cases.
On top of that, guests booked through official partners receive continuous itinerary monitoring via GPS-linked systems. This allows the park to confirm location and route adherence.
Historical Safety Disruptions
Virunga National Park was closed in May 2018 following the abduction of two tourists and the killing of a ranger. It reopened in February 2019 with enhanced protocols.
Subsequent closures occurred in 2020 and 2022 due to armed group activity. These disruptions generally lasted between 4 to 18 months.
Kahuzi-Biéga experienced less volatility but temporarily suspended trekking in 2021 when militia movements approached buffer zones. Operations resumed shortly after following security reinforcement.
These disruptions are not random. They follow intelligence assessments, and decisions are implemented by ICCN in collaboration with regional governors and security command centres.
Should You Go? A Note for the Reader
If you’re still unsure whether it’s worth the risk, that’s valid. No article should downplay risk in a region like eastern Congo.
However, it’s important to understand that gorilla trekking operations in Congo only resume when security thresholds are met. Every person involved, ranger, guide, or tour operator, has a stake in ensuring safe tourism.
Gorilla Permits and Trekking Costs in Congo
The standard cost for a gorilla trekking permit in Congo is USD 400 per person. This applies to both Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga National Parks. Each permit allows a single visit to one habituated gorilla family under official supervision.
Fees include the cost of park entry, a lead guide, tracker, two armed rangers, and one hour in proximity to the gorillas. Transportation to the starting point, porter fees, and accommodation are charged separately.
Permit revenue supports ICCN operations, wildlife monitoring, and staff salaries. A portion is allocated to community development programmes in buffer-zone villages.
There are no seasonal discounts or price variations published by ICCN. Prices have remained fixed since 2022 following a restructuring of tourism operations under the Virunga Foundation.
Virunga Permit Logistics
Permits for Virunga must be secured through licensed agencies affiliated with the Virunga Foundation. Independent bookings are no longer supported due to internal vetting and security tracking protocols.
Most visitors obtain their permits as part of a bundled package. These often include transfers from Goma, overnight stays in Bukima or Kibumba, and round-trip logistics. ICCN maintains a current list of recognised operators on its website.
Permit numbers are capped daily. Each habituated group receives only one visit per day, with a group limit of eight persons.
It is advisable to book at least 30 days in advance to guarantee space, especially during peak periods (June to September, December).
Kahuzi-Biéga Permit Logistics
Kahuzi-Biéga permits can be booked directly with park management via the ICCN Bukavu office or through regional tour operators. The process is simpler than in Virunga due to lower visitor volumes.
Permits are valid only for the day of the trek and are issued at the Tshivanga Visitor Centre. Group size is limited to six per day. Payment is accepted in US dollars or Congolese francs, depending on the booking channel.
While permits are often available on short notice, international visitors are strongly encouraged to confirm availability before travelling to Bukavu.
If you’re coordinating logistics independently, ensure that your entry time aligns with morning trek departures. Late arrivals may forfeit their permit.
Gorilla Species in Congo: What You’ll Encounter
Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)
Mountain gorillas inhabit the high-altitude forests of Virunga National Park. These apes live between 2,200 and 4,300 metres above sea level within the Albertine Rift montane ecosystems.
They are known for their long, thick fur, which adapts them to colder elevations. Adult males typically weigh up to 160 kilograms and reach a standing height of 1.7 metres. Silverbacks dominate group leadership and oversee troop movement and security.
Their diet consists mostly of fibrous vegetation: nettles, thistles, bamboo shoots, and wild celery. They travel relatively short distances per day, which facilitates tracking.
As of the most recent estimates (2021), the Virunga mountain gorilla population includes approximately 350 individuals. Only habituated groups are open to tourist visits. These groups undergo years of supervised interaction before they can be safely approached.
If you’re visiting Virunga for this experience, you’ll most likely trek from Bukima, where most of the monitored families reside. Rangers assign groups based on fitness level and daily gorilla movement.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri)
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park protects the world’s largest remaining population of eastern lowland gorillas, also called Grauer’s gorillas. These apes differ physically and behaviourally from their mountain relatives.
Eastern lowland gorillas are heavier and more robust. Adult males may exceed 210 kilograms and often appear stockier due to shorter limbs and larger torsos.
They inhabit mid-elevation tropical forests, ranging between 600 and 2,900 metres above sea level. Their diet is more fruit-based, especially in seasons when figs and wild berries are abundant.
Kahuzi-Biéga currently supports 150 to 200 habituated individuals, according to ICCN field reports. Tracking begins from Tshivanga Centre, where rangers monitor gorilla location via pre-dawn reconnaissance teams.
Tracking these gorillas can be slightly more demanding due to wider daily movement patterns. That said, the forest canopy remains open enough to allow photographic visibility once a group is located.
For visitors with a scientific or conservation interest, this species offers rare behavioural contrasts worth observing in detail.
Conclusion: What to Pack and How to Prepare
Prepare for high humidity, fluctuating temperatures, and thick underbrush. Wear protective clothing suitable for hiking through wet, insect-rich forest zones.
- Long-sleeved shirt (preferably synthetic or quick-dry)
- Long trousers (tucked into socks to guard against ants)
- Waterproof hiking boots with strong ankle support
- Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
- Gardening gloves (for gripping branches during ascents)
- Wide-brim hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
- High-filtration face mask (some parks recommend this to minimise disease transmission)
Health and Safety Essentials
Carry the following to minimise physical risk and meet entry requirements:
- Insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin
- Personal first aid kit (include antihistamines, plasters, oral rehydration salts)
- Prescription medication (labelled, in original packaging)
- Yellow fever certificate and COVID-19 documents (if required)
- Travel insurance card and emergency contact information
- Reusable water bottle (minimum 1.5 litres capacity)
Some agencies provide walking sticks, but bringing your adjustable trekking pole can improve balance during uneven climbs.
Physical and Mental Preparation
Gorilla trekking is a high-effort activity. Treks may last between 2 and 6 hours, depending on the gorilla location. The terrain can be steep, muddy, and dense with vegetation.
Build aerobic endurance before travel. Incorporate uphill walking or stair climbing into your routine at least three weeks before your departure.
Altitude effects are minimal in Kahuzi-Biéga. In Virunga, elevations may exceed 3,000 metres. Visitors sensitive to altitude changes should consult their doctor beforehand.
Briefing sessions are held every morning before the trek. Attendance is compulsory. These include safety drills, communication rules, and behavioural expectations during the gorilla visit.
You may be tempted to over-pack, but resist that. Your comfort on the trail depends more on fit, function, and weight distribution than on quantity.