This is the ultimate adventure chosen on a long African Safari vacation which lets you meet and get exposed to both species of Gorillas in the Jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo, among the three Gorilla hosting countries in Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo in the Central part of Africa is the only destination which offers this unique experience to encounter
About the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ranked to be among the largest countries in the African Continent, the Democratic Republic of Congo is located in the central part of Africa sharing borders with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania in the East, South Sudan in the Northeast, Central African Republic in the North, Congo Brazzaville and Angola in the West and Zambia in the South.
This country had some insecurity issues in the past brought about by rebel attacks but due to the efforts made by the government, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s security is currently stable, it’s popularly known by tourists from different countries of the World because of its wide range and fascinating Wildlife offered including the mostly wanted shy endangered species of Gorillas.
About Gorillas. These are shy endangered ground-dwelling herbivorous apes which mostly feed on the young bamboo shoot and stem, tree leaves, flowers, insects, and fruits like mangoes, oranges, grapes, pineapples and more. Gorillas usually live in groups known as Gorilla families comprising male and female adults, juveniles and infants, a Gorilla family is usually led by the old male dominant silverback which is responsible for protecting its group members, looking for what to eat and constructing temporary grass thatched huts for shelter.
Gorilla species are divided into two species including Eastern Gorilla species and Lowland Gorilla species which are further divided into subspecies, Mountain Gorillas are a subspecies of Eastern Gorilla species and Lowland Gorilla species are further divided into Eastern and Western Lowland Gorilla species.
When you compare these species, Mountain Gorillas are black in colour and Lowland Gorillas are distinguished by a Silver colouring appearance, Mountain Gorillas are bigger than Lowland Gorillas when compared. Both of these species appear in the Jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo with Mountain Gorillas being found in Virunga National Park and Lowland Gorillas being found in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Mountain Gorilla trekking in Virunga. This amazing activity involves meeting with species of Mountain Gorillas in the Jungles of Virunga National Park, it’s usually started in the morning after a briefing conducted at the Park offices or starting point highlighting about how to behave while in the presence of these apes. After the short briefing, a park ranger guide and armed officers are assigned to a group of eight people for the amazing journey heading to the Jungle in search of these apes. Park rangers usually communicate with the Gorilla trackers via radio calls about the exact location of these apes in the Jungles.
After discovering these apes in the Jungles you are allowed to stay in their presence for only one hour while seeing them playing with their young ones, feeding, laughing, dwelling plus taking photos and videos of them provided that you are not using a flush camera.
Lowland Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega. This amazing activity in the Democratic Republic of Congo involves meeting with the species of Lowland Gorillas in the Jungles of Kahuzi Biega National Park, the process of meeting with these apes is the same as listed above for Mountain Gorillas.
What’s required? To be issued with entry permission to the Democratic Republic of Congo, you must present a tourist Visa which costs $100 USD per person, a valid passport and a valid yellow fever vaccination card. Gorilla trekking also requires a permit and this permit in the Democratic Republic of Congo costs $400 USD per person.
What to Pack. Some of the essentials to include when packing for a double Gorilla trek in the Democratic Republic of Congo include strong hiking shoes, gloves, head shocks, long-sleeved shirts and trousers, shocking, light clothing, insect repellents, nose capes, sunglasses and capes, waterproof jackets and bags to protect yourself from mud, thorns and hooks, skin scratches, biting insects like mosquitoes, bees, tsetse flies and more, heavy dust and sunshine plus rainfall water respectively. Cameras are also essential for taking of different good and nice looking photos of Gorillas, scenic views and other Wildlife species sighted in the due course.
