Congo national parks offer some of the wildest and most memorable adventures in Africa. In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, you can track mountain gorillas on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Then, you can climb an active volcano and look down into a glowing lava lake at night. Nearby, you can also meet the eastern lowland gorilla, the largest gorilla in the world.
The parks we visit lie close to the borders with Rwanda and Uganda. As a result, most trips start in Kigali and cross into Congo at Gisenyi or near Bukavu. Two of these parks, Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Virunga is also Africa’s oldest national park. For the latest park news, see the official Virunga National Park website.
At Roots Tours & Travel, we plan tailor-made Congo trips from our base in Kampala. Below, you will find our guide to each park. That way, you can compare them and choose the adventure that suits you best.
Virunga National Park is Africa’s oldest national park and one of its most varied. It lies in the Albertine Rift Valley in eastern DR Congo, along the borders with Uganda and Rwanda. Within one park you can trek mountain gorillas, climb an active volcano and look out over savannah, lakes
Mount Nyiragongo is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and one of Africa’s great adventures. It rises to about 3,470 m in Virunga National Park, eastern DR Congo, roughly 20 km north of Goma and close to the Rwandan border. Climbers come here for one reason above
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is the best place in the world to meet eastern lowland gorillas, the largest of all gorilla subspecies. It lies in eastern DR Congo, west of Bukavu town and the southern tip of Lake Kivu. Although it is less well known than the mountain gorilla parks, it
Each of the Congo national parks we visit has its own highlights. Therefore, it helps to know what makes each one special before you plan your route. Here is a short guide.
Virunga National Park is the oldest national park in Africa. It stretches along Congo’s eastern border and includes volcanoes, rainforest, savannah and lakes. Most visitors come for the mountain gorillas, which live in the southern part of the park on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. You trek with ranger guides through the forest until you find a gorilla family. Then, you spend a quiet hour watching them at close range.
In addition, Virunga is a strong choice if you want gorilla trekking with fewer visitors. The treks feel remote and personal. Moreover, you can often combine your gorilla trek with the famous hike up Mount Nyiragongo.
Mount Nyiragongo is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. It sits inside Virunga National Park, north of the city of Goma. Its crater holds one of the largest lava lakes in the world. The hike to the summit is steep and takes most of the day. However, the reward is extraordinary. You spend the night in simple shelters on the crater rim, watching the red glow of the lava below.
You need a good level of fitness for this hike. So, we recommend some training before you travel. Porters are usually available to carry your bags, and your guide will set a steady pace.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park lies west of Bukavu, near the southern tip of Lake Kivu. It is the best place in the world to see the eastern lowland gorilla, also known as Grauer’s gorilla. These gorillas are larger than mountain gorillas, and the silverbacks are truly impressive. The park protects both highland and lowland forest, and it is named after its two extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi and Biega.
Besides gorillas, the forest shelters chimpanzees, many monkeys and a rich variety of birds. Because few travellers come here, a trek in Kahuzi-Biega feels like a real expedition.
You can trek gorillas in Congo all year round. However, most travellers prefer the drier months, roughly from June to September and from December to February. During these months, forest trails are less slippery. In addition, the views from Mount Nyiragongo are often clearer.
The rainy seasons usually fall from March to May and from about October to November. Even so, gorillas live in the forest all year. So, you can still have a great trek if you bring good rain gear and sturdy boots.
Eastern Congo is a remote region, and conditions can change quickly. For this reason, parks sometimes close to visitors for a while. Before we confirm any trip, we check the latest situation with the park authorities and our partners on the ground. If a park is closed, we will suggest a safe alternative. For example, you can track gorillas in Rwanda’s national parks or in Uganda instead.
You will also need a valid Congo visa and the right permits for gorilla treks and the Nyiragongo hike. Permit prices are set by the park authorities and change from time to time. Therefore, we will confirm the current rate when you enquire.
Congo works best as part of a wider trip. Most visitors fly into Kigali, then drive to the border at Gisenyi for Virunga and Nyiragongo. For Kahuzi-Biega, you cross further south near Bukavu, often after a visit to Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda. Afterwards, you can return to Rwanda or continue into Uganda for Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi. Read more in our guide to tracking gorillas in Uganda.
To make planning easier, we have created sample itineraries. You can book them as they are, or we can adjust them to your pace and budget.
Roots Tours & Travel is a Kampala-based safari company and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). We specialise in tailor-made trips across East Africa. First, tell us when you want to travel and what you hope to see. Then, we will send you a clear, personal itinerary for free. Get in touch today and start planning your visit to the national parks of Congo.
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