Gorilla Trekking in Virunga National Park Vs Volcanoes National Park
Virunga National Park is a national park situated in the eastern province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which lies on the border with Rwanda and Uganda. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its remarkable landscape, and houses one of the remaining populations of mountain gorillas. Virunga is the oldest national park in Africa gazetted in 1922 and covers an area of about 7, 800 Square Kilometers. Virunga National Park is one of the best destinations in the world to see Mountain Gorillas. However, Virunga National Park faces ongoing insecurity threats, poaching, and deforestation. These challenges endanger the park’s mountain gorillas and other wildlife.
The park is home to three volcanoes – Mikeno, Nyamuragira, and Nyiragongo. The park is also known for wildlife species such as rare okapi, chimpanzees, forest elephants, African buffaloes, Ugandan Kobs, hippos, giant forest hogs, waterbucks, warthogs, topi, duikers, lions, colobus monkeys, and blue monkeys. There are 706 species of birds, 65 of amphibians, and 109 of reptiles.
Apart from gorillas trekking, tourists have a lot to see and do while in Virunga National Park for example birding, viewing waterfalls, small primate viewing, chimpanzee tracking, hiking active volcanos, and visiting the Batwa communities among others.
On the side of Volcanoes National Park, the park is famously known for its mountain gorilla. The parks are home to over 380 mountain gorillas and are the only national park where you can see these creatures in their natural habitat. Volcanoes National Park is situated in the northwestern region of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is part of the Virunga massif, which includes a chain of volcanic mountains along the border with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The park was founded in 1925, and officially gazetted as a reserve for mountain gorillas, making it one of the first protected areas for gorilla conservation. The national park is home to eight to five extinct volcanoes namely, Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Karisimbi, and Mountain Bisoke.
The park is home to incredible other wildlife, including golden monkeys, elephants, forest elephants, African buffalo spotted hyenas, bushbucks, buffaloes, smaller primates, and 178 species of birds, with at least 13 species and 16 subspecies endemics to the Virunga and Rwenzori mountains. Gorilla tracking is one of the major activities done in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla trekking experience in Virunga National Park Vs Volcanoes National Park
Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park is a must-do -activity while on a safari in Congo. This exciting activity starts in the morning at Bukima Park’s headquarters, with a briefing about the gorilla trekking procedures, expectations as well as dos and don’ts, and carry-on items as well as the expectations. After the briefing, you will be allocated with one experienced park guide and the habituated gorilla family to track. Note! Virunga National Park has only eight gorilla families which have been habituated and they are available for tourism activities. Gorilla trekking in this stunning allows a maximum of 8 visitors for a single gorilla family. During the gorilla trekking safari in Virunga National Park, you will get a chance to encounter other mammal species that live in the park’s forest, primates, and also other bird species. Once you have encountered these fascinating primates, you will get an opportunity to observe how these captivating primates live in the wild as well as see how they carry out their daily activities while comparing with the mountain gorilla’s behaviors.
On the side of Volcanoes National Park, Gorilla trekking in the national park is the main and popular attraction offered to visitors while on a Rwanda safari in the park. Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves a foot walk through the jungles of volcanic forests in search of habituated gorillas in their natural habitat, with the guidance of rangers, guides, and trackers. The park is home to over 11 habituated Rwanda gorilla families available for tracking under the guidance of experienced and motivated rangers. Mountain gorilla trekking safaris in the Volcanoes National Park begin in the morning with assembly at the park headquarters at Kinigi with a briefing about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations as well as expectations. After this educative briefing, you will be allocated an experience guide and the gorilla family to trek.
During your gorilla trekking tour here, you’ll also have the chance to see different wildlife species while on your way such as playful primates, attractive animals, colorful birds, stunning hills as well and flowering plant species among others. Once these fascinating primates are found you will be allowed in their presence for only one hour of interaction. You will have the chance to spot them as they do with their daily activities such as feeding, playing, and foraging for food among others.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in both Virunga National Park Vs Volcanoes National Park
For one to participate in this exhilarating activity should have a valid permit that allows she/he to trek to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. This is an illegal document that authorizes one to search or trek for a gorilla family. If you opt to visit the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, the gorilla permits here USD 400 per person.
On the other hand, the cost of Rwanda gorilla permits is USD 1,500 per person. This gorilla permit covers park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, one hour with the lowland gorillas, and others.
Best time for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park
The best time to embark on a gorilla trekking safari in Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park is during the dry season. This dry season occurs from mid-December to early February and from June to September. During this, the Virunga conservation area’s weather is more favorable, with less rainfall and clearer skies, making trekking and wildlife viewing activities more enjoyable. Dry seasons also enhance the trail’s accessibility, allowing for easier hiking and better chances of spotting mountain gorillas and the endangered golden monkeys. More so, the pleasant temperatures create an ideal environment for exploring the park’s beautiful scenery and embarking in various outdoor activities.
Accommodation in the Gorilla Trekking Virunga National Park Vs Volcanoes National Park comparison
Both Kahuzi Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park have the best accommodation facilities that are near and within the park and all range from luxury, midrange, and basic or budget facilities. Depending on where you go for gorilla trekking you will be served right. In Virunga National Park you will have some of the following accommodation facilities to pick from;
Virunga National Park– accommodation facilities include Bukima Tented Camp, Kibumba Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Island Camp, and Lulimbi Tented Camp among others.
Volcanoes National Park –Accommodation Facilities include Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, The Virunga Hotel, La Palm Hotel, Five Volcanoes Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Hotel, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, Kinigi Guest House, Jack Hanna Cottages and Villa Gorilla Lodge among others.
