Top Congo Gorilla Trekking Rules in Virunga National Park

Travelers on Congo gorilla safari tours must follow all the rules for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park! The gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Virunga park of DR Congo are set to protect the lives of Mountain gorillas and even guests.

Before the gorilla hike begins in the park, visitors will first be briefed about Virunga National Park gorilla trekking rules and regulations to follow for a successful adventure. Some of the notable guidelines to follow while tracking Mountain gorillas in Congo Virunga National Park include; never to feed, or touch Mountain gorillas. Also, you must keep a 7m distance from the Mountain gorillas on encountering them.

Visitors are limited to one hour in the presence of these endangered primates- Mountain gorillas.

Note; Mountain gorillas- (the gentle giants living in montane misty forests in Albertine Rift Valley) are endangered species. Therefore, the gorilla tracking rules were majorly put in place to conserve them within their natural habitats while promoting sustainable tourism.

A list of gorilla tracking rules in Virunga National Park for travelers on Congo gorilla tours is discussed below;

Virunga Park Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations Before the Gorilla Trek

After the Mountain gorilla trekking briefing that takes place at the park headquarters, a maximum of eight individuals are permitted to visit each gorilla group. This limited number helps not to stress up Mountain gorillas!
Before going into the jungle, you must wash your hands. Doing so helps to lower the chances of passing infections to these giant human-like primates.
As visitors track gorillas, they must lower their voices. If you do, so you don’t stress up wildlife and even you are likely to see more (including colorful birds & mammals) along the gorilla trekking trail.
While tracking Mountain gorillas in Virunga park, never leave the garbage behind because wild animals in the park including the endangered Mountain gorillas could potentially consume it and die. Instead, you should always retain all of the garbage in bags and return them to park headquarters.
Only persons over 15 years old can go for gorilla tracking in Virunga park. Therefore, those persons below 15 years old are not allowed to undertake a gorilla hike in this park.
Travelers must present their gorilla permits before this adventure begins
Visitors with any communicable disease such as flu & cough must not track gorillas. Human airborne bacteria can be fatal to gorillas.

Virunga National Park Gorilla Trekking Rules in Presence of Mountain Gorillas

Travelers on the gorilla trek must follow the instructions given by the ranger guide. This person has great knowledge about the Mountain gorillas therefore, follow everything they say!
When you encounter gorillas, always ensure you keep a 7m distance and stay in a tight group. Such distance keeps you safe and protects the life of the Mountain gorillas as well. Remember, mountain gorillas remain with some wild extinct however much they might be habituated.
In case a gorilla charges, keep calm. You should avoid direct eye contact with gorillas and don’t run. When you run, it just makes the gorilla (the Silverback gorilla normally) charge more!
Keep a low voice in the presence of the gorillas. This shouldn’t limit you from asking any questions.
In the presence of the gorilla group, always keep in the group. Doing so will help not to stress the gorillas in their natural habitat.
Don’t be tempted to touch a Mountain gorilla! The fact remains that they are wild animals, it’s easy for them to misinterpret your touch. Likewise, it’s better to mind your body language as well.
Avoid eating, smoking, or drinking while in the presence of a Mountain gorilla family. This might potentially leave food wraps that the gorillas and other animals consume, which could result in the spread of human illnesses.
It’s illegal to feed a Mountain gorilla as this exposes the mountain gorilla population to danger.
While in the presence of Mountain gorillas, don’t use flash photography while taking pictures. The flashlight stresses them!
Strictly, visitors are limited to only one hour of watching gorillas. This duration limits stress.

Health Gorilla Trekking Rules and Regulations in Virunga National Park Congo to Follow

In case you want to ease yourself while on the gorilla hike, you must go off the track. The hole dug should be 30cm deep and properly covered.

Travelers with cough or any contagious disease are not permitted to track Mountain gorillas in Virunga park. These human diseases are contagious to the Mountain gorillas and can easily spread in the air. Therefore, if you have one, kindly stay behind and save these endangered primate species.

If you are to cough or sneeze in the presence of a Mountain gorilla, turn your head aside and cover your mouth in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

More important information about gorilla tours in Congo Virunga park;

Gorilla Trekking Packing List in Virunga National Park

After going through the above gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Virunga park, you know how to behave however, you should as well know what to pack for your gorilla trekking tour adventure.

Below is a list of all the items you need as you come for a gorilla tour in Congo Virunga park;

Gorilla trekking shoes. Light jungle boots are recommended
The rain jacket with wood
Insect repellent
Sunglasses, sunscreens, and a sunhat. These protect you from the sunlight
Warm jumper
Backpack
Packed lunch
A camera
Enough drinking water
First aid kit. This should at least have painkillers and even bandages

When Is the Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park Congo?

Visitors interested in Congo gorilla trekking safaris in Virunga park can come for it any time of the year but, the dry months are mostly recommended. The dry months in Congo Virunga park are December-February and even June-September. Gorilla tracking trails in this park are fairly dry and mud-free during these months.

Rainy months in Virunga NP are March-May as well as October-November. Tracking gorillas in wet months takes a shorter time because these giants don’t move into deep regions. Food is in plenty in the forest.

Brief About Virunga Park

Famous for Mountain gorilla safaris in Congo, Virunga park is one of the oldest and most diverse tropical rainforests in Africa. Visitors on Virunga park adventures may also go bird watching, enjoy nature walks, or hike Nyiragongo Volcano to eyewitness the boiling lava lake.

Note that mountain gorillas are only found in three countries on Earth!

A few examples of these nations are Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda. Volcanoes National Park- (managed by the Rwanda Development Board) is home to mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are good places to see gorillas in Uganda run by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The Virunga park is where you may see gorillas in the Congo. Virunga Massif is geographically close to all mentioned national parks above.

Tourist Attractions in Virunga National Park

Among the many things to see in Virunga park includes the park’s many mountains, lakes, dense montane forests, bird life, and animals. Among the popular physical attractions include; the two active volcanoes- Nyamuragira & Mount Nyirangongo all part of the Virunga Mountains.

This park also boasts over 3,000 species of plants and animals. The endangered mountain gorillas also call this area home.

A montane forest in the Albertine rift, lakes like Kivu and Edward, the Semuliki river basin, and mountains like the Rwenzori mountains are all within sight.

How to Get to Virunga National Park in Congo?

Virunga National Park is found in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. To get to this gorilla park, most travelers fly to Kigali International Airport and then connect to Gisenyi Town. From Gisenyi Town, you’ll drive, cross Rwanda Congo border, and continue to Goma Town of DRC. It takes about two hours to get to the park headquarters of Virunga park, which is where the gorilla hike begins.

As you come for Congo gorilla tours in Virunga park, have an open mind to follow the gorilla trekking rules and regulations. All these guidelines are set to protect the life of the Mountain gorillas.