Budget Safaris in DR Congo
Budget safaris in DR Congo take you to some of the best destinations Congo has to offer. Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest and most biodiverse country in Africa. It’s such a huge country that visiting every part of it (like it is with Uganda or Rwanda) is not possible.
Therefore, this post focuses on the eastern part of the country. Without question, it’s the country’s eco-tourism hub. Four tourism destinations in eastern DR Congo are super icons: Virunga national park where to track mountain gorillas, Kahuzi Biega National Park where to see lowland gorillas, Mt. Nyiragongo Volcano where to hike and sleep on the summit of an active volcano, Lake Kivu where to relax on the tropical beaches and Goma the largest town after the capital Kinshasa.
The security situation. One irritating aspect about travel to DR Congo is a commonly held belief that the country is not safe. That’s not true for Eastern DR Congo is currently safe for travelers of all genders. After many years of struggle for control, east DRC is safe. And tour operators work closely with the Virunga rangers who provide extra security for visitors upon reaching the border to their destination.
However, there were security issues in remote areas such as south and north Kivu which pose a threat causing the international community to advise their citizens not to travel.
6 Days Budget Safaris in DR Congo
Visit Virunga National Park for mountain gorilla trekking and Nyiragongo volcano hike.
With a gorilla permit at $400 per person, Virunga National Park may be the most budget friendly way destination to see the gorillas. However, the cost of accommodation inside the park is not less than $300 a night. For most budget travelers, affordable accommodation is in Goma town. staying in Goma town means you have to wake up early morning for a 45-minute drive to the park center by 7:00am.
Again there are two options- the gorillas and the volcano. Most visitors on budget will opt to do one and that can be a 3 day Virunga gorilla tour. But, if you can do both the gorillas and volcano hike, plan to spend four to five days on safari.
The key highlight is to see the gorillas and chances are 99% once with expert trackers taking you into the forest to spend 1 hour observing the gorillas.
After trekking the gorillas, the following day you will hike to the summit of Nyiragongo volcano 3,470 meters above sea level. The hike up takes four to six hours depending on fitness level of visitors. At the summit, there are huts to stay a night for an opportunity to see the lava lake at night and sunrise the next morning. Its recommended you bring sleeping bag and essential packing list items. Guides and porters are a requirement. On top of the Nyiragongo hike permit, you will pay extra to the guides for their effort to take up.
Go to Lake Kivu.
Definitely one of the things to do in DR Congo on budget is to explore Lake Kivu for a day or two. Lake Kivu is located on the border between Rwanda and DR Congo surrounded by towns like Gisenyi. You can go to Gisenyi town on your own by taxi or motorcycle either from Kigali or Goma town. Once in Gisenyi, you will find a lot of outdoor activities to enjoy, like boat trips to Tchegera and Idwiji islands and great cultural experience as the local fishermen on canoes cast their nets on the lake at sunset.
Getting around the town is safe with a motorcycle despite that many local people don’t speak English. You can go further to explore the Congo-Nile trails great for biking and hiking.
Gisenyi town has a great variety of budget accommodation with lodges under $70 for standard double room with a view of the lake side. There are restaurants too such as Wine Garage, Palm beach resort as well as art shop near one of the beach of El Classico with music, grilled food and much more. This ensures you get the best accommodation on your Budget Safaris in DR Congo.
Book in advance.
D.R. Congo has strict visa booking procedures that require visitors to pay first for either accommodation or any activity. Depending on what you are going to do, it can either be a fully booked gorilla permit or Nyiragongo trek permit. With proof of payment, you qualify to pay for visa.
Then, you can proceed to handle your safari with your tour operator.
Where to stay in eastern DR Congo?
Accommodations inside Virunga National Park are expensive than the ones in Goma town. depending on what you agree to pay with your tour operator, you may not spend too much and still get where to stay inside the park. however, that not the case always for budget travelers. Goma has affordable lodges and hotels with private bathrooms that works well for your comfort.
As a budget traveler, you will bear in mind that Goma town is 45-minite drive to Virunga, so get up early out of bed and make your way to the gorilla center by 7:00am.
Visit Kahuzi Biega National Park to see Lowland gorillas.
Kahuzi Biega National Park located in Bukavu region which can be reached by car from Goma or Gisenyi. The park is one of the least visited but well worth visiting for Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking. Just like mountain gorillas, the infamous lowland gorillas are larger in size. With help of expert rangers, you can track them and get to see the rainforest of Kahuzi-Biega home to chimpanzees and dormant volcanoes.
Getting there.
Interestingly, eastern DR Congo is located on the border with Rwanda. By far the majority of visitors choose to enter DR Congo from Rwanda. Because its more convenient to fly into Kigali and drive three hours across the border than it is would be from Kinshasa.
There are taxis from Kigali going to Gisenyi town on the shores of Lake Kivu as well as Goma town. This gives you access to eastern DR Congo even if you are not on safari, you can easily take day trip.
