If you are tracking the big animal in DRC (Rwanda and Uganda are the other options), remember that the country is located along the Equator, which means the daily temperature average is about 24 degree centigrade (75 °F) and climate is generally humid. Temperatures tend to fall sharply in the nighttime. The dry season usually lasts from June to September. The rainy season begins in October and ends in May with a short dry season in January-February.
Arrival and visa
Unless you are keen to come in from Kinshasa (or fly into Goma, DRC), your trip would begin in Rwanda (the entry point). Your trip organiser will arrange your pick up at Kigali International Airport and bring you into DRC (Goma) across the border three hours away.
No visa will be issued at any border controls.A valid passport to enter the Republic of Congo is required. The visitor’s passport should be valid at least for six months.
On the safari
- You must strictly follow a dress code – light clothing during dry seasons but if you are arriving in the rainy season, make sure you bring rain coats, umbrellas and rain boots.
- Sunglasses, sun hat, long pants, long sleeve shirts/t-shirts, sun cream, a small torch, and a pair of binoculars etc will go a long way in ensuring you have a better tracking experience.
- Remember that tracking the gorilla can take anywhere between 2-4 hours, but in the end your patience and struggle will be rewarded. To make your hiking easy, wear sensible, sturdy, flat shoes.
- A maximum number of 8 visitors may be allowed to visit a group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day. This minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.
- Your guide will warn you about the distance you must maintain from a gorilla – usually 7 m so as not to alarm the gorilla. Keep your voices down.
- Wear sunscreen at all times and carry insect repellants with you.
- Flash photography is not allowed.
Vaccination
The Yellow fever card is compulsory when entering Congo. Ensure that you are properly vaccinated before you travel.
Children under the age of 15 are NOT allowed into the park.
Hey Anjali,
Thank you for this comprehensive guide to gorilla tracking! I had a chance to go on tour but unfortunately had little time. Your guide made me want to return and see these beautiful animals!