Is it Safe to Travel to Congo DRC

Is it Safe to Travel to Congo DRC?

Many Western government warnings advise against tourists visiting Congo, painting the entire country as unsafe. However, the reality is more nuanced. While some parts of Congo are indeed risky, others are relatively safe. The Eastern Parts, home to Kahuzi Biega National Park, offer opportunities for trekking the Eastern Lowland Gorillas and exploring Bukavu town, which are considered safe. Additionally, Kinshasa in the north is also deemed safe for visitors. The area most affected by conflict is the Goma area, where Virunga National Park is located, famous for Nyirangongo Volcano Hiking and Mountain Gorilla Trekking.

The Current Situation in DR Congo

DR Congo has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including civil and rebel wars, Ebola outbreaks, among others, deterring tourists from gorilla trekking in its national parks. These same areas have been known to harbor dangerous rebel groups and diseases. However, the situation is improving, with most areas and national parks now open for tourism. Cooperation between the DR Congo government, local authorities, and national and international security and health bodies has led to a restoration of peace. As a result, DR Congo is becoming a viable option for gorilla trekking, with tourists increasingly choosing it over Uganda and Rwanda due to cheaper permit prices.

Planning Your Safari to DR Congo

When planning a safari to DR Congo for gorilla trekking, Trek Africa Expeditions is your ideal partner. With offices in Uganda, Trek Africa Expeditions handles all aspects of your trip, from checking availability of gorilla permits for Virunga National Park to arranging accommodations and transportation. Their fleet of 4×4 vans and jeeps, driven by experienced safari guides, ensures a safe and comfortable journey to and from Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Beiga National Park. Whether you opt for a budget, mid-range, or luxury package, Trek Africa Expeditions can customize your experience to suit your preferences.

DR Congo Visa and Work Permits

All travelers to DR Congo require a visa, which must be obtained in advance from the closest Consulate or Embassy. Unlike some neighboring countries, visas cannot be obtained upon arrival. The cost of a single-entry visa varies depending on the validity period. It’s essential to apply for the visa at least 2 to 3 weeks before your travel date, as it cannot be obtained on arrival. Additionally, you’ll need an invitation letter and a yellow fever card for entry into DR Congo. For more information on securing your visa, please contact Trek Africa Expeditions.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Congo

Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, Congo, is an exhilarating daily activity. The trek typically commences with a briefing at 7:45 am, followed by the allocation of a gorilla group for your trek. As you venture into the Virunga forest, guided by experienced rangers, you’ll embark on an immersive journey to encounter these magnificent creatures. Spending an hour in their presence allows for remarkable experiences, including photography opportunities, observing other wildlife such as birds and primates, and learning about the gorillas’ habitat and survival in Virunga National Park. Trek Africa Expeditions offers all-inclusive gorilla tour packages, ensuring transparency with no hidden costs. The primary expense is the gorilla permit, which secures your trek in Virunga National Park. Our tour packages cater to various preferences, ranging from budget to luxury options, and include transportation, accommodation, meals, and guide services. For those starting their journey from Kigali, we offer 2-day trips costing USD 1100 per person in a group of two, inclusive of gorilla permits, transportation, accommodation, meals, and guide services.

Securing Gorilla Trekking Permits for Virunga National Park

Once you confirm your trip with us and make payment for the permits, we promptly secure your permits at Virunga National Park Congo headquarters. After confirming your permits, you can proceed to book your international flights, and then settle the balance for all your services.

Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Beiga National Park

Kahuzi Beiga National Park offers an opportunity for lowland gorilla trekking, a guaranteed activity with the acquisition of a permit. However, due to the limited availability of permits, especially during peak seasons, we advise travelers to book their permits 3-4 months in advance. With only two families open for trekking, permits can become scarce, particularly from June to September and December to February.

Best Time to Travel to Congo for a Gorilla Safari

The ideal time for gorilla trekking in Congo is during the dry season, which occurs from December to February and June to September. During these months, the trails are drier and easier to navigate, with vegetation less dense, facilitating clearer sightings of gorillas. Travelers often avoid visiting during the wetter months of March to May and October to November, when trails become slippery and trekking becomes more challenging due to dense vegetation.

Accessing Virunga National Park, Congo for Gorilla Trekking

Virunga National Park is situated in the Eastern Part of Congo. Travelers typically fly into Kigali International Airport and then connect to Gisenyi town. From Gisenyi town, a cross-border journey into Goma town, DR Congo, is undertaken, followed by a drive to the park headquarters of Kahuzi Beiga National Park or Virunga National Park. This journey takes approximately 2 hours from Gisenyi town.

Why Choose Trek Africa Expeditions for Your Gorilla Safari in Congo?

Trek Africa Expeditions offers unparalleled and professional tour and travel services in Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, and Rwanda. As a leading tour operator for Congo Tours, we boast a dedicated office and field team committed to addressing all your requests and inquiries. With full membership in AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators) and close collaboration with Uganda Wildlife Authority, we ensure quality and reliability in our services. Highly recommended on TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings, our website provides comprehensive and up-to-date information to assist you in preparing for your DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali. Contact us for inquiries about the safety of traveling to Congo DRC.

Unless you have pressing reasons to get on a plane (such as a family emergency) you should not be visiting. Africa is a wonderful continent. There are plenty of other beautiful countries which will not put your safety at such risk.