Best Congo National Parks to Visit on Your birthday

Top Congo National Parks to Visit on Your Birthday

If you’re planning to spend your birthday in Congo, there are two exceptional national parks that you should consider visiting to make your celebration truly unforgettable: Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Beiga National Park. Both of these parks offer unique opportunities to see gorillas during your birthday adventure, with the chance to encounter both Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas.

Virunga National Park:

Virunga National Park is a true gem of Africa, boasting one of the most diverse tropical rainforests and holding the distinction of being the continent’s oldest national park. While it is renowned for its mountain gorilla trekking in Congo, the park offers a wide array of other activities to make your birthday celebration truly special. These activities include the Nyirangongo volcano hike, bird watching, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, and habituation experiences. When planning your visit, you can easily book any of these exciting activities in advance, ensuring you have a fantastic and memorable birthday in the heart of nature.

Kahuzi Beiga National Park:

Famed for lowland gorilla trekking, Kahuzi Beiga National Park is a precious reserve that was gazetted in 1970. The park conducted its first-ever lowland gorilla trekking experience in 1973, making it a pioneer in this regard. Among the 12 gorilla families that inhabit the park, only two are habituated and available for visitors to trek. The Chimanuka and Mugaruka families are named after dominant silverbacks and present a remarkable opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures up close. Chimanuka, in particular, stands out as one of the largest gorilla families in the world, with over 36 gorilla individuals. Your birthday visit to this park will undoubtedly be filled with awe-inspiring encounters with these gentle giants.

Popular DR Congo Packages for Your Birthday:

To make the most of your birthday adventure in Congo, Trek Africa Tours offers various packages to suit your preferences. Some of the top options include:

• 2 Days Nyirangongo Volcano Hike
• 3 Days Gorilla Trekking in Congo
• 3 Days Nyirangongo Volcano Hike
• 4 Days Nyirangongo & Gorilla Trekking
• 5 Days Nyirangongo Volcano Hike
• 5 Days Gorillas & Nyirangongo Hike
• 6 Days Gorillas & Nyirangongo Hike (Experience both Lowland and Mountain Gorillas)

Cost to See Gorillas in Congo on Your Birthday:

The cost of seeing gorillas in Congo on your birthday varies depending on the style of travel you prefer: budget, standard, or luxury. Gorilla permits are essential for gorilla trekking in DR Congo, and compared to other national parks in Uganda and Rwanda, such as Bwindi and Mgahinga, and Volcanoes National Parks, respectively, gorilla trekking in Congo is more affordable. Virunga National Park offers both normal and discounted gorilla permits for trekking mountain gorillas. During the high season (December, January, February, June, July, August, September, and early October), the gorilla permit costs 400 USD per person per trek. Booking your trek at least 3 months in advance is advised to secure your spot. For the discounted permits, which are available during the off-season months (early March, April, May, early October, November, and early December), the cost is 200 USD per person per trek, and the booking process is the same as for normal permits.

Top Things to Do and See on Your Birthday Tour in Congo:

1. Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park, Congo: A must-do activity in Virunga National Park, mountain gorilla trekking provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With only six gorilla families available for trekking, including the famous Kabirizi gorilla group with over 30 individuals, it’s essential to book your permit at least three months in advance to secure your chance to encounter these magnificent creatures.
2. Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Beiga National Park, Congo: Kahuzi Beiga National Park offers lowland gorilla trekking, and though the park has only two habituated families open for trekking, the experience is guaranteed with the acquisition of a permit. Due to the popularity and limited availability of permits, it’s advisable to book them 3-4 months in advance, especially during peak seasons.
3. Chimpanzee Tracking and Habituation in Virunga National Park: Another highlight of your birthday tour is chimpanzee tracking and habituation experiences in Virunga National Park. Both activities offer a unique opportunity to observe and learn about these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. Advanced booking, at least 3 months prior, is recommended to secure your spot.
4. Nature Walks through the Virunga Forest: The ancient Virunga Forest is a treasure trove of biodiversity, and a nature walk through its dense vegetation provides a chance to witness its breathtaking beauty. Spot various tree species, birds, and even mammals and reptiles if you’re lucky.
5. Nyirangongo Volcano Hike: For adventure enthusiasts, a hike up the Nyirangongo Volcano is a thrilling way to spend your birthday. With its status as one of the world’s most active volcanoes, reaching an elevation of 3,470 meters (11,380 feet), this hike promises a breathtaking experience that you’ll cherish forever.
6. Bird Watching: Virunga Forest’s diverse habitats, from forests and swamps to grasslands, attract a rich variety of bird species. Engaging in a birding safari allows you to spot over 706 recorded bird species, making it a fantastic addition to your birthday tour.

Best Time to Visit Congo:

To make the most of your Congo adventure, it’s advisable to plan your trip during the dry season, which occurs in the months of December, January, February, June, July, August, and September. During this period, the trails are drier, the vegetation is not as thick, and the chances of spotting gorillas and other wildlife are higher. On the other hand, the wet season, from March to May and October to November, can make trekking more challenging due to slippery trails and thicker vegetation.

How to Easily Get to Congo:

Your journey to Congo will typically start with a flight to Kigali International Airport. From there, you’ll connect to Gisenyi town and then cross the Rwanda-Congo border to Goma town in DR Congo. Finally, you’ll drive to Bukima, the park headquarters of Virunga National Park, where your gorilla trekking adventure begins. The drive from Gisenyi town to the park headquarters takes approximately 2 hours. Additionally, you’ll drive from Virunga National Park to Kahuzi Beiga National Park for your lowland gorilla trekking experience.

Why Book Your Birthday Safari to Congo with Trek Africa Tours:

Trek Africa Tours is your reliable partner for an unforgettable birthday safari in Congo. As a company owned and run by experienced Ugandans who have extensively explored Congo, they offer in-depth knowledge and expertise in organizing outstanding tours to the region. With a highly recommended reputation on platforms like TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings, you can trust Trek Africa Tours to take care of all your requests and inquiries professionally. Their website provides the best and most up-to-date information to help you plan and prepare for your dream birthday tour in Congo, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience throughout your journey.