All over the world, it is only in the Virunga conservation area that stretches to Rwanda (volcanoes National Park), Uganda (Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park) and in Democratic republic of Congo in the Virunga national park where mountain gorilla tracking is done. Tracking is done in the deep tropical rain forests in these countries and only 880 mountain gorillas are remaining shared among these countries Uganda and Rwanda taking the majority of the gorillas compared to DRC. Mountain gorillas can be tracked throughout the year however travelers should know the following concerning climate in these countries:
In all countries where mountain gorilla trekking safaris can take place that is Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, there are two rainy seasons during which the trails get muddy and become slippery though sometimes it does not rain the whole day. The rainy season is from March to May and October to November. During this period, tracking is really difficult but adventurous trackers off course come during this period. On the other hand, it is sunny between June and September, and December to February. Tracking during this period is easy and can be done without hassling.
Gorilla trekking in the DRC involves hiking deep into the mountain jungles to observe a gorilla family in the wild. Visitors will be led by guides and national park rangers who keep records of the gorillas for conservation purposes and help protect them from poachers. They can determine the general area where a gorilla family will be and are skilled in tracking them.
Your gorilla trekking adventure in the DRC will begin early in the morning and you will be driven up to the gorilla trekking starting point at Bukima, a ranger’s station in the mountains of the Virunga National Park, outside the city of Goma. The small agrarian villages you’ll pass, and the people who run to the road to wave at you, will give you a glimpse of a different way of life.
The length of the trek is entirely dependent on the gorillas; sometimes the guides can track them down in less than two hours, other times it takes much longer. Mountain gorillas are nomadic, travelling the jungle in families and staying in an area just long enough to clear it of food. They also don’t follow a clear path, and you’ll realize when tracking them that they like to meander.
Often travelers prefer going on a gorilla safari in low season as the prices for gorilla trekking permits are lowered in Congo from $400 to $350 for non-residents. Visiting in this season also means that you can enjoy the jungle with relatively few people. It’s also said that February and September are good months for a holiday in Congo as there are less tourists visiting so the lodges are not as full as they are in high season. It also means you can also often get discounted lodge and hotel prices.
While the rainy season can have an effect on travels in Congo, a day is almost never lost to the rain. Most days will have both rain and sunshine, meaning that despite some wetness, it is usually not long before you can continue with your activities as planned. Whether it rains or not, gorilla tracking is conducted every day and is almost never cancelled because of bad weather. No matter what time of year you decide to go gorilla trekking in the region, a visit with the gorillas will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable experiences of any tourist’s travels.
