Gorilla Trekking is one of the activities done in tourism sector in Democratic Republic of Congo. DRC is located in the Central part of Africa the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, second largest after Algeria and 11 largest in the world. It is also referred to as Zaire, DRC, DROC, and Congo- Kisansha. It is originally a French colony, French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba are the common languages used. Congo is known for it is a vast country with immense economic resources ranging subsistence hunting and fertile soils, forestry and mining industry with large deposits of minerals including diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, cassiterite (tin ore) and coltan – to timber and oil
The tourism industry is also promising in Congo however the insecurity has slowed down the number of tourist’s entry in Congo. The DRC has experienced frequent unrest in the eastern part of the country. It is noted that not all national parks in Congo are safe for tourism activities.
Congo is the only Country that has both, Mountain Gorillas and Low Land Gorillas
Tourists that chose Congo as their tourism/safari destination are mostly interested in trekking the Gorillas. There are 2 parks where this activity can be done namely: Virunga National Park a home for the mountain gorillas and Kahunzi Biega habitat to the eastern low land gorillas. These have been identified as some of the safe national parks for tourists in Congo.
Tourists can trek to see the mountain and lowland gorillas in wild, meet pygmies still practicing their traditional way of life in the forests, spot bonobos and okapi two rare species not found anywhere else on earth, and climb to the summits of active volcanoes and see a boiling lava lake in the crater of Mount Nyiragongo.
The Gorilla trekking activity starts with a morning briefing from the guides. Hiking starts at the center for the park and may last 1 to 6 hours depending on the movements of the group that will be allocated for you to trek and which family to spend time with.
The trekkers are expected to carry the following with them: to put on clothes that brand with nature, good hiking gears like boots, rain jackets, camera gargets and packed food. On encountering the magnificent creatures, the trekkers are allowed to strictly spend one hour with the gorillas.
Gorilla trekking is done in the wilderness and not in the zoo. This means that you have to hike through the jungles, the steep slopes to look for these impressive primates and all these require you to be physically fit and stable. Be aware that the rainforest terrain can be muddy and steep, and the hike may take from 30 min to 3 hours before the group encounters a gorilla family.
Though the hike can be strenuous, travelers report that the overall experience is easy to tackle. Ultimately endurance training will help trekkers be physically capable.
Which Other Attractions Does Congo Have?
Congo has quite a number tourism attractions such as: Virunga National Park, Garamba National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Kundelungu National Park, Maiko National Park, Mangroves National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Salonga National Park, , Upemba National Park. 21 Roman Catholic cathedrals, 7 museums, sports venues, Lake kivu, Lake Tanganyika the deepest lake in world shared with Tanzania Lake Albert and Edward shared with Uganda. The famous second largest river in the world, River Congo second to Amazon, river Ruvuma, River Rufigi , Boyoma Falls, Inga Falls, Livingstone Falls, Lofoi Falls, Mambatuta Falls, Mambilima Falls, Petites Chutes de la Lukaya, Yellala Falls. Maringa-Lopori-Wamba Landscape, Massif D’itombwe, Ngiri Reserve, Réserve Abumonbazi, Réserve Naturelle Lomako Yokokala, Rubi Tele Hunting Reserve, Sankuru natural reserve, Tshuapa–Lomami–Lualaba Conservation Landscape and the culture.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking In Congo
Mount Gorilla trekking can only be done in the three neighboring countries namely; Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Congo in Virunga National Park and Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park which make up the Virunga Conservation Area.
Gorilla trekking is quite a spectacular interesting experience recommended to tourists who plan to visit any of the 3 above mentioned countries.
