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Nature Walks in Virunga National Park
Nature walks in Virunga National Park offer the best hiking safaris in Africa for travelers, especially adventure lovers on Congo safari tours.
In Congo’s Virunga National Park, there are various amazing options for walking tours. Among these includes; a hike to Nyiragongo Volcano where you’ll witness the boiling lava crater lake of Nyiragongo Volcano- the most active volcano in Africa. Mountain gorilla trekking and bird-watching expeditions also yield a great nature walking experience to visitors.
Lucky travelers undertaking Virunga National Park nature walks can spot game animals in this greatly biodiverse tropical rain forest. Some of the unique animal species to encounter include; Mountain gorillas, Bushbucks, Forest Buffalos, Giant forest hogs, Spotted Hyenas, Forest Elephants, various monkey species as well as colorful birds & plants.
All walking safari tours in Congo Virunga park are guided by armed park rangers therefore, this adventure is safe. Your part is to have an ideal park list with hiking boots and a rain jacket a must. Congo hiking safaris are great during the dry season when the rains are minimal.
Most tourists coming for Congo safari tours usually combine Nyiragongo hiking safaris with gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park. Contact us for more details!
The Best Virunga National Park Walking Safaris;
1.Hiking to the Summit of Mount Nyiragongo
A hike to the summit of Mt Nyiragongo in the southern sector of the park offers the best experience for a nature walk in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s one of the most remarkable adventures to undertake by adventure travelers on safari tours in East Africa.
Currently holding a boiling lava lake on its summit, Mount Nyiragongo has erupted over 34 times in recent centuries. The latest was in May 2021. Hikes to explore its lava lake- the world’s largest lava lake takes about 4-6 hours but, most of the travelers spend a night in the accommodation facilities on top to enjoy very well the glowing views of the magma in the lava lake.
Nyiragongo volcano hiking takes you through the past lava plains which feature sharp rocks therefore, you should put on sturdy hiking boots. While still in the lower zones mostly in the tropical rainforest, you can come across amazing wildlife species such as the Forest Elephants, Bushbucks, Spotted Hyenas, Giant forest hog, and Bushbucks among others including bird species. Hippos and crocodiles can be seen on the shores of Lake Edward.
Visitors who manage the hike up to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano (3,470m above sea level) will also enjoy the beautiful sights of other Virunga Volcanoes.
Fees For Nyiragongo Hiking Safaris in Congo
300 USD and it’s non-refundable.
Best Time to Hike Mount Nyiragongo in Virunga National Park
Dry months offer the best Nyiragongo Volcano hiking experience. During these months- (mostly June to early September), relatively little rainfall
is received in the Virunga region therefore, the hiking trails are easy to hike.
2.Tracking Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorilla trekking is the most popular nature walk within Virunga National Park- one of the oldest national parks in Africa gazetted in 1925 to conserve the endangered Mountain gorillas dwelling here.
The gorilla trekking hike in Virunga National Park starts from the park headquarters with a briefing before you enter the rainforest to search for these giant apes. During the briefing, the ranger guide will share with you all the guidelines you must follow during the gorilla trekking hike in Virunga
park.
Lastly, before you enter the jungle, you will be grouped into a group of eight individuals and allocated a gorilla family to trek. Virunga NP holds many habituated gorilla families but, Kabirizi Family is commonly visited.
The search for the gorilla family can take about 2-8 hours but, sometimes it can take just 30 minutes depending on the movement of the gorilla group. When you encounter the gorilla family, visitors are allowed to take photos and videos only with flashless cameras. Mountain gorillas are stressed with flashlights. Expect to take photos of the Mountain gorillas feeding, moving, playing, and mothers grooming young ones.
Major Congo Gorilla Trekking Rules Visitors Should Follow;
- You must present your gorilla tracking permit before the hike begins
- Congo gorilla trekking expeditions are only for persons above 15 years of age
- If you have any contagious diseases, don’t track Mountain gorillas
- Don’t feed Mountain gorillas, this can greatly affect their health.
- Though gorillas are used to human presence, you must keep about 7-8m distance while in their presence. This is a safer distance in case of any action!
- Visitors must follow the rules of the ranger guide during this guided nature walk to see Mountain gorillas.
- Travelers are only limited to one hour in the presence of these gentle giants.
- In case a gorilla charges at you, never run! Remain calm and look down. If you shout, you’ll make the gorilla charge the more.
Cost for Gorilla Tracking in Congo- How Much Does It Cost to Go Gorilla Trekking in Congo?
Congo’s gorilla tracking permit are the cheapest in East Africa, costing $400. Just like in other destinations for gorilla tours in Africa, you must book this gorilla permit in advance.
In Rwanda Volcanoes National P
ark, a gorilla tracking permit costs $1500 and in Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, it’s $800.
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Congo
A guided nature walk to see Mountain gorillas in Congo Virunga National Park is lovely during the dry season. The trails for gorilla trekking adventures normally get dry in the months of June- September. So, hikers find it enjoyable to walk on a mud-free trail in the jungle.
Visitors are likely to be disturbed by rainfall from March to May and even October to November.
Bird Watching Hikes
Guided nature walks also await visitors interested in bird-watching tours in Virunga National Park. Within Virunga park, about 706 bird species have been recorded i
ncluding forest birds, Albertine Rift Endemics, Water birds, and even birds that dwell in savannah vegetation.
During the bird-watching hike, with a knowledgeable birding guide you’ll explore this biodiverse park- a UNESCO World Heritage Site spotting different bird species. It’s also possible to encounter other different animal species in Virunga ranges for example; Bushbucks, Giant forest hogs, Forest Buffalos, Olive Baboons, Bush babies, Forest Elephants, and Spotted Hyenas, among many others on the forested slopes.
Some of the Common Birds in Virunga Park to Be Spotted By Tourists on Birding Hikes Include;
- Yellow-billed barbet
- Western green tinkerbird
- Brown-throated wattle-eye
- Alpine swift
- African olive pigeon
- Blue-headed coucal
- Bar-tailed trogon
- African pied hornbill
- Doherty’s bush-shrike
- White-headed wood-hoopoe and,
- African paradise-flycatcher, etc.
Walking Tours to Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center
Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center is the world’s only gorilla sanctuary home to orphaned gorillas in Congo. Guided nature walks to Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center are usually done by travelers after chimpanzee trekking, gorilla treks, and even Nyiragongo volcano hikes as it’s just close to the park.
DR Congo Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center is named after a dominant silverback called Senkwekwe which was killed in 2007 with other 3 gorillas of the
Rugendo gorilla Family during the fight with the rebel group.
Travelers who booked a night stay at Mikeno Lodge can visit this wonderful gorilla site at a free cost.
Since Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center is situated in a pleasant place with a verdant forest cover, these gorillas live a comfortable life just like those in the wild. Around the center, you can see other primates such as Colobus monkeys, Baboons, and Vervet monkeys.
If you plan your visit well, it’s possible to join the caretakers and also get involved in taking care of these cool giants- the endangered Mountain gorillas.
Hike Mount Karisimbi
Additionally, climbing safaris up Mount Karisimbi also offer a great experience for travelers interested in guided nature walks in Congo Virunga park.
Towards Rwanda’s northwest is Mou
nt Karisimbi. Obviously, you shouldn’t venture up Mount Karisimbi unprepared, as it stands at 14,790 feet above sea level and is the highest among the Virunga ranges.
Since this is a 2-day nature walk, you should first ensure that you are physically able to complete it. After a challenging 6-hour scenic hike, you will spend the night at a shelter at an altitude of 3,000m. The following day, you will hike to the summit and descend.
On the ascent to the peak of this volcano, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of Lake Kivu, Mount Muhabura, and other volcanoes, like the Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Make sure you’re wearing sturdy footwear because this hike is quite steep.
Walking Tours Walks to Explore Batwa Cultural Trail
For many generations, the Batwa people have called the jungles of Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes NP, and Virunga National Park home.
Due to park gazettements, the Batwa pygmies were evicted from these national parks and today they are scoters in the nearby communities around these gorilla-protecting areas. They can only visit the park during the Batwa trail cultural experience to demonstrate to tourists how they used to su
rvive in the jungle.
While on the Batwa trail experience in Virunga National Park, Batwa will demonstrate hut construction, their hunting skills, honey harvesting, make fire, and show you different herbs they used to rely on in the jungle, among others.
Best Time for Walking Tours in Congo Virunga National Park
Virunga park is open all year, but visitors coming for walking tours in Congo Virunga National Park should target the dry months of June through September as well as December through February.
The trails for forest walks are mostly dry during the dry months since less rainfall is received in this gorilla park. Furthermore, the views of the park are wonderful durin
g this time and you can easily see distant features during the hike such as Lake Kivu and Rwenzori mountains.
Visiting Virunga National Park in the wet season- (March-May) can be challenging due to heavy rains, some trails might get slippery and muddy. If you want to take Congo safaris during this season, you must use a 4×4 car.
Safari Packing List for Walking Tours in Congo Virunga National Park
For successful walking safaris in Congo Virunga park, you should come for Congo safari tours with the following items.
- Jungle boots- Ideal during Nyiragongo hikes, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, and during chimpanzee habituation experience adventure.
- Rain jacket with a hood
- Camera
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- A pair of binoculars
- Energy giving snacks
- Bottled water; keeps your body hydrated during gorilla walks, chimpanzee trekking, and while on chimpanzee habituation experience.
- Long-sleeved shirts & trousers
- Warm clothing so ideal for visitors in the rainy season and even while in the humid forest vegetation of Congo
- Insect repellents so ideal as you visit gorillas in their natural habitat
- Headlamp
- Travel documents, for instance, medical insurance documents
Getting to Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Virunga National Park. Most people traveling to Congo Virunga National Park Congo first fly to Kigali International Airport and then cross to Congo Goma town in a tour vehicle. To get to Goma Town in the DRC, you’ll have to drive from Gisenyi Town across the border between Rwanda and Congo.
From Goma Town to Virunga park headquarters, it’s around 2 hours drive only.
Travelers from Uganda Entebbe International Airport have to use the Kisoro border and then connect to DR Congo.
Though it’s possible to use a chartered flight to Goma, it’s rarely used by tourists. Ethiopian Airways can be used.
FAQs About Walking
Safaris in Congo Virunga National Park
What Is Special About Virunga National Park?
Virunga National Park in the Democr
atic Republic of Congo is special for its wonderful tourist attractions; the Mountain gorillas and the Nyiragongo Volcano. Mountain Nyiragongo is among the most active volcanoes in the world and it’s summited with a lava lake on its summit.
Is It Safe to Go for Virunga National Park Walking Tours in Congo?
A number of tourist attractions in Congo including Virunga National Park in Eastern DR Congo are safe given the fact that DRC is considered unstable by most of the travelers and tour operators. Contact your local tour operator responsible for your vacation for more clarity.
What Is the Current Situation in Virunga National Park?
Virunga National Park welcomes all visitors on Congo tours. Most of the tourists who visit this gorilla park in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are interested in gorilla trekking, climbing Mount Nyiragongo, and other walking safaris in Congo.
How Many Gorillas Are Left in Virunga National Park?
Virunga National Park is home to a third of the Mountain gorillas living in the Virunga region which spans; Rwanda Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park Congo, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Is There An Active Volcano in Virunga National Park?
Yes, Virunga National Park holds Mt Nyiragongo- the most active mountain in Africa. Also, this park features another active mountain that is less popular, this is Nyamuragira volcano.
What to Expect During Nature Walks in Congo Virunga National Park?
Travelers on walking tours in Congo Virunga National Park should expect to encounter different wildlife species of Congo including Mountain gorillas, especially during gorilla trekking adventures. Visitors tracking Mountain gorillas will spend only one hour with a gorilla family being tracked!
The hike to Nyiragongo volcano summit takes you to explore the glowing lava-boiling lake- the world’s biggest lava lake. Walking safaris in Congo offers the best experience for walking safaris in Africa.
Book with us your Congo safari tour today and let the adventure begin. In Virunga National Park, there are various activities for travelers interested in walking tours. Among these thrills include; gorilla trekking & Nyiragongo hiking tours to explore the biggest lava-boiling lake in the world. Bird-watching hikes, hiking Mount Karisimbi, and visits to Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center await you as well.
Contact us for more details about Congo trips.
