Congo and Rwanda are both gorilla tracking destinations that share the same volcano ranges that stretches from Congo long way to Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla tracking in Congo takes place in Virunga and Kahuzi Biega National Park whereas in Rwanda-Volcanoes National Park.
Both countries offer gorilla tracking all year round with different experiences since are different countries expect everything different but the same rules and regulations during gorilla tracking. The reason for tracking gorillas in Congo versus Rwanda is stated below as you can read through and decide where to do such a lifetime experience.
Gorilla Tracking in Congo Vs Rwanda
Congo has two gorilla tracking destinations (Virunga and Kahuzi Biega National Park) meaning that you have an option to where to track from and both are safe and accessible all year round than Rwanda which has only Virunga National Park.
Congo is where the cheapest gorilla tracking experience takes place which explains that the gorilla permit in Congo cost $ 400 per person per trek which can be done in either Virunga or Kahuzi Biega National Park. Purchasing a gorilla permit and participating in gorilla tracking in either of the two National Parks rewards and promote the conservation efforts that make a more significant impact in conserving Congo gorillas.
The hiking terrain in Congo Gorilla National Parks is favorable and a bit more open and less difficult than easier the experience and offers a clear view compare to Rwanda. In addition, hiking time is less than 3 hours reaching to gorilla family depending on which group you’re tracking.
More interesting in Congo, it has both mountain and low land gorillas that situated in different National Parks. This still gives you the option which gorilla National Park you go in, mountain gorillas are located in Virunga National Park and low land gorillas are found in Kahuzi Biega National Park not far from each other than in Rwanda where you found only mountain gorillas in Volcano National Park.
It’s only found here in Congo-Virunga National Park where you can do both activities mountain gorilla tracking and chimpanzee trekking other than in Rwanda where mountain gorilla tracking and chimpanzee trekking takes place in different National Parks. For example, chimpanzee trekking takes place in Nyungwe National Park whereas mountain gorilla in Volcano National Park
Visiting Congo for gorilla tracking offers you a real opportunity to see the gorilla the orphanage which you can’t find elsewhere in the world. Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center is home to gorilla orphanage located at Virunga National Park headquarters in Rumangabo which is a walkable distance from the Park to the Orphanage center.
Virunga National Park-Congo has a habituation experience where visitors can see gorillas in about 4 hours which you can find in Volcano National Park-Rwanda. This is a good opportunity to experience such activity in Congo at a cost of $600 per person per trek.
Visitors who visit Congo for gorilla tracking have a golden opportunity to hike the most active Volcano in Africa ‘’ Mount Nyiragongo’’ and it harbors the World’s largest Lava Lake. The mountain found within the Virunga National Park, this gives you second chance to enrich your adventurous experience
Tracking gorillas in Virunga National Park in Congo adds credit to your tracking experience due to the oldest Park in Africa and a UNESCO world heritage site.
Gorilla tracking in Rwanda Vs Congo
The travel distance from Kigali city the capital of Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park Rwanda where gorilla trekking is taking place are relatively few hour drives (about 2-hour drive), and the roads, in general, are good compared to Virunga National Park.
The tracking gorilla safari days in Rwanda can be shorter meaning that you can opt to do one-day gorilla tracking safari or two days begins and ends in Kigali city. More interesting in Rwanda, you still have such a rear opportunity to hike the Dian Fossey grave yard how was an American primatologist lady who sacrificed her life to save the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda and Congo. Hiking the Dian Fossey graveyard is a learning experience for visitors providing them with an in-depth understanding of the origin of Mountain Gorilla tourism in Rwanda and how an American primatologist sacrificed her life to save the rare mountain gorillas that were on the verge of extinction by then.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with its golden monkey trekking adds an additional experience to gorilla trekking making it the first-ever National Park with over 12 gorilla families in the same environment with golden monkey making it a land of extreme beauty.
The growing number of guests has also been attracted by the new luxury lodges opening around the Volcano National Park, such as Bisate Lodge, One & Only Nyungwe, Gorilla’s Nest, and Singita Kwitonda and among others compared to Congo.
Gorilla trekking is a sustainable operation that benefits local communities tremendously in Rwanda, this explains that with gorilla permit prices going up, the communal revenue-sharing rate has also gone up from the previous 5% to 10%, which is a very good income for the communities. The communities surrounding the Volcanoes National Park have seen substantial funding in community projects like building schools, hospitals, local business development, clean water, and sanitation, which is directly benefiting and improving the condition of living compared to Congo.
Volcano National Park-Rwanda hosts over 160 habituated mountain gorillas which divided into 12 gorilla families meaning that 96 gorilla permit is available per day. This is a high number of permits and gorilla families compared to Congo which has 8 habituated gorilla families.
Rwanda is safe, peaceful and clean and there is no corruption or bribery going on. Things always work how they are supposed to and they are very well organized, running smoothly like clockwork. The prices are higher but they come with higher overall standards compared to Congo.