Virunga National Park

From traveller-now

Virunga National Park is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Understand

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Get in

Fees/Permits

The permit to see the mountain gorillas is $400 US (2010). That is $100 less than the cost in Uganda and Rwanda

The permit to climb the active Nyiragongo volcano is $200. You can stay overnight and sleep on the summit with a view over the largest lava lake in the world

Get around

See

Do

• Climb Nyiragongo Volcano — This volcano, famous for its lava lake, is a technically easy climb from the direction of Goma. A trip to the top should take ~6 hours, so most climbers spend the night at the top. This also makes it possible to see the boiling lava by night, when it becomes even brighter.
  • Hakuna Matata Tours, [1]. Offers a 2-day climb and tour of Goma. Owner is a native of the region and very friendly, but it can take time to track him down. It's better bring your own equipment when trekking the volcano as the stuff Hakunamatata tours provide is of low quality (e.g. leaking tents) ~$320.  
• Visit the Mountain Gorillas — The Mountain Gorillas are located in the Mikeno Sector, about a two and half our drive from Goma. They can also be approached from Bunagana (border of Uganda). The permit is $400, so slightly cheaper than in Uganda or Rwanda. The visits are also a bit more authentic and in smaller groups. There are several operators who can organise this, but all book via the ICCN (Congolse Wildlife Authority)sales office in Goma. You can also book directly with ICCN (tourism@gorilla.cd). They can also organise transport.

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Lodging

Camping

Backcountry

Stay safe

D.R. Congo is renowned as the African country that never seems to experience peace. If you intend to visit Virunga to track gorillas, you would wiser to book early and go to Rwanda or Uganda. Guerilla fractions hide out in the border region between D.R. Congo and Rwanda, and violence is common. Furthermore the authorities in D.R. Congo are renowned for corruption, and it is not uncommon to be detained by border controls until you pay a "special fee" for your release. If you have to go to Virunga, flying into Goma would the safest way (although more expensive), and it would be desirable to leave soon after your trek (although Goma is a very interesting place to visit).

Get out