Congo gorilla permits are a must have for all travelers visiting the DR Congo for this gorilla adventure. Like in other gorilla destinations, a Congo gorilla permit is a password that allows travelers to trek and visit the endangered mountain gorillas of Congo in Virunga National park.
Travelers intending to visit Congo for gorilla safaris are therefore advised to contact the responsible bodies and book their gorillas in time to avoid disappointments. Overtime, Congo has proved to offer the most affordable gorilla permits compared to Uganda and Rwanda making it a favorable gorilla destination for budget and shoestring travelers.
What’s the cost of a Congo gorilla permit?
Well, wide knowledge on the cost of a single gorilla permit to trek gorillas in Congo is very important before booking a trip. Each gorilla permit costs $450 for foreign nonresidents and $400 for foreign residents and citizens. This money collected from the sale of gorilla permits is used to facilitate mountain gorilla conservation in Virunga National park, support local communities adjacent to the park, facilitates park rangers, gorilla doctors and tourism police. A combined effort of these people have seen gorilla tourism in Congo a success despite the hindrances by rebel groups in the region.
How many gorilla permits are available in Congo?
Every day, 64 gorilla permits are available to trek Congo gorillas in the Virunga National Park. The number of gorilla permits available depend on the number of habituated gorilla families in Virunga National Park. There are 8 gorilla groups habituated in Congo, each visited by 8 people hence a guarantee of 64 gorilla permits altogether.
How to book a Congo gorilla permit?
Are you wondering how to book a Congo gorilla permit to Virunga National park? Gorilla permit booking can be done directly with Virunga Park management. Alternatively, you can book a Congo gorilla permit through any trusted travel operator offering gorilla safaris to Congo. Booking through a travel agent is time saving and the best way to book a Congo gorilla permit. Once you have contacted your desired travel agent, he/she will do the permit booking, reservation and picking for you.
When to book a gorilla permit?
Just like in other gorilla national parks, Gorilla permit booking in Congo is recommended at least 6 months in advance. Permits are issued on forest come first serve basis. Those who book in advance have high chances of getting permits limiting chances of last time bookers. Also, early permit bookings are required for timely preparations and planning.
Upon booking, travelers are asked to pay 30% of the total cost while the top up is required a least 90 days to the trekking date. Travelers who fail to pay balance lose both the deposit and the permit.
How are gorilla families in Congo Allocated?
Gorilla permit allocation in Congo is based on traveler’s fineness, age and hiking abilities. Aged travelers are normally given the easy to trek gorilla families while the young and physically fit are given the hard to trek gorilla families. If you have any hiking challenges, endeavor to inform your driver guide I time so he/she can request for you a simple gorilla family.
Are gorilla permits refundable?
NO, gorilla permits in Congo, Rwanda and Uganda are not refundable. However, in case a traveler cannot make it on the initial date, he/she has a chance to reschedule the permit to any desired future date at a small fee. Travelers are cautioned to avoid unnecessary cancellations to avoid making losses.
For how long is my Congo gorilla permit valid?
The permit is valid for strictly an hour. This one hour is counted from the time travelers set their eyes on the allocated gorilla family. Travelers are allowed to spend an hour with gorillas to take picture and enjoy this lifetime experience. However, despite an hour with gorillas, travelers can spend to over 8 hours trekking in the jungle before meeting the endangered species.
Do I own a gorilla permit?
NO, the gorilla permit remains a property of Virunga National park. Even after paying for it, a traveler never owns the permit. At the start of the trekking day, all travelers are asked to present and resubmit gorilla permits back to the officials of Virunga National park.
No one is allowed to hike into the jungle with the permit. However, travelers are given a receipt along which they keep with as a confirmation that they paid for the permit
What if I fail to see mountain gorillas?
If travelers hike for a whole day and fail to see the gorillas, they are given another chance to trek the next day without paying again. However, this is a rare incident since 99.99% of travelers always see the gorillas at the end of the trek. On the other hand, if a travel fails to see gorillas due to sickness or failure to hike, he/she will not be allowed to trek again unless he buys a new permit.
Conclusively therefore, a Congo gorilla permit is essential for any successful mountain gorilla trek in Virunga National park. Book for your Congo permit in time and wait to have this lifetime experience!
