Chimpanzee trekking in DR Congo Virunga national park
Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga national park takes you to visit one of the most visited places in DR Congo. Virunga national park is located in the eastern part of DR Congo covering a total area of 7,769 sq. km. The national park was gazetted in 1952 making it one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It was gazetted to protect the forest and animals that were living in the park.
The tropical rainforests in Virunga national park are home to 3 apes; mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and lowland gorillas. Chimpanzees are one of the main attractions in this park although the park host other primates such as golden monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, and olive baboons among others. Chimpanzees are omnivorous animals that feed on leaves, fruits, insects, and sometimes small animals, and much more you will learn about these apes from the guides while trekking.
Not all chimpanzees in Virunga national park are open for tourism activities but there are a few that have been habituated and open for trekking at all times of the year. The chimpanzee trekking activity in Virunga national park gives travelers an opportunity to spend some good time with apes that share 98% human DNA. Chimpanzee trekking in this park requires one to be aged 15 years and above and must have a valid chimpanzee trekking permit.
Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga national park can be done at all times of the year for the park is always open. Getting to Virunga national park for chimpanzee trekking takes only 1 day from Rwanda using Goma border. Other activities done in Virunga national park other than chimpanzee trekking include mountain gorilla trekking, hiking, birding, and nature walks.
Booking chimpanzee trekking permits for Virunga national park in DR Congo
Travelers interested in being part of the chimpanzee trekking permits in Virunga national park need to know one requires a chimpanzee trekking permit to be able to take part in the activity. Chimpanzee trekking permits for Virunga national park can be booked using Africa Adventure Vacations by simply sending us an email containing the dates you want to trek or travel.
Using these dates, we shall check for the availability of the permits with the Virunga national park authorities. Once the permits are available on the days you want to trek or travel, we shall send you an email containing the different ways you can send money for the permit and once we have received the money, we shall book a permit for you. Finally, we shall send you a scanned copy of the permit for confirmation. You need to book your permits in advance to avoid last-minute booking disappointments.
Chimpanzee trekking activity in Virunga national park DR Congo
On the day of chimpanzee trekking, the trekkers must wake up early in the morning and have breakfast before joining the driver to transfer them to the park offices. At the park headquarters, the trekkers meet the park wardens who take them through briefing to learn about the rules and regulations of the activity. Grouping is done and each group is given armed ranger guides to lead them into the jungle.
While going through different trekking trails looking for chimpanzees, the trekkers are able to meet different park animals such as buffaloes, duikers, lions, elephants, waterbucks, warthogs, topis, birds such as regal sunbird, yellow-billed barbet, Rwenzori batis, stripe breasted tit, and different vegetation types among others. When the chimpanzee family is allocated, trekkers do keep a distance of 7 meters take photos, learn about their habits, and watch them do daily activities for a period of 1 hour.
What to pack for chimpanzee trekking in DR Congo?
Things to pack fi a chimpanzee trekking safari in Virunga national park include waterproof hiking shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, a rain jacket, insect repellents, a pair of gaiters, a pair of binoculars, a camera, sunscreen, backpack, energy-giving snacks, drinking water bottle, first aid kit, face mask, and sanitizer.
What is the best time to visit Virunga national park for chimpanzee trekking?
Chimpanzee trekking in Virunga national park can be done at any time of the year since the park is always open. However, there are months that are considered to be the best to visit this park for trekking activities. The drier months of June to September and December to February are the best for chimpanzee trekking activities because they are characterized by little or no rainfall, the trekking trails are less slippery, the vegetation is short giving clear views of park animals and good photography, and lastly, the roads leading to the park are passable.
Tourists can still visit Virunga national park in the rainy season of March to May and October to November to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation and trekking permits however during these months, there is plenty of rainfall which makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall with unclear views of animals and the roads leading to the park are impassable.
Where to stay on a chimpanzee trekking safari in Virunga national park DR Congo?
Tourists intending to visit Virunga national park for chimpanzee trekking activities and want to stay a night or more in the park have a lot of accommodation facilities where they can stay. These accommodation facilities range from budget to mid-range to luxury options and they do include Lulimbi Tented Camp, Nyiragongo Volcano Summit Shelters, Bukima Tented Camp, Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Island, Kikumba Tented Camp, and much more.
