Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and the Virunga Mountains offers the best viewing opportunity in the world for these rare primates and is the highlight of any visitor touring Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.  A face to face encounter with chimpanzees in tranquil forests, the unique setting of the Rwenzori’s, rafting on the mighty River Nile, the wild game, hospitable people with varying cultures and traditions, favorable weather conditions, a variety of animals, and bird species are just spectacular. We take you through beautiful parks in total comfort and expertise with skilled staff and tour guides subscribing to the highest standards of moral ethics in the tourism industry. Getting to see gorillas is not easy, nor are you guaranteed to see Gorillas or Chimps. The trek to where the gorilla groups live takes you through very dense vegetation, up steep slopes and can last several hours. Gorillas move around so they aren't all that easy to track. The gorillas you'll be meeting are habituated to humans who are why you are able to get quite close to them. Some

basic rules of tracking gorillas include:
You have to be over 15 years of age
You can not be sick or have any infectious disease
Only one hour is allowed with the gorillas and you have to keep a distance of at least 5 meters
Maximum number of visitors per day is 6-12 people per group
No flash photography is allowed
Trekkers must be fit and well equipped, which includes warm clothing for the wet cool climate high in the mountains.
No eating or drinking in the vicinity of the gorillas
No touching the gorillas (although they may decide to touch you)

Democratic Republic of Congo - The DRC also has a section of the Virunga Mountains Park called the Parc National des Virunga. The DRC gorilla population suffered a major setback because several gorillas were brutally hacked to death in 2007.

Information
Gorillas move around the Virunga National Park. In March 2005 it was reported that the gorilla group that is usually resident on the Ugandan side of the park had moved to Rwanda (tastier bamboo shoots perhaps). By 2008 they were still not back in the area. When this happens gorilla

tracking on the Ugandan side is suspended. Volcanoes Safaris keeps good track of gorilla movements.
Rwanda - Rwanda has one park in the North of the country encompassing its share of the mountain gorilla population: the Virunga National Park or Parc National des Volcans (PNV). The park covers an area of about 46 square miles and encompasses six volcanoes. Despite the terrible genocide in the early 1990's the country is fairly stable and the park permit system is running smoothly. The PNV was where Dian Fossey set up her base and research center. Tracking gorillas in the PNV is slightly less strenuous than at Bwindi since the gorillas move around a little less.

The more open terrain also allows more light for better photo
Uganda - There are two parks in Uganda, the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where you are able to go gorilla tracking. Mgahinga is situated on the extreme southwest corner of Uganda on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains. It borders the DRC and Rwanda. The park only covers 28 square miles so it's quite small, but besides gorillas you can also see leopard, buffalo, bushbuck and golden monkeys. Bwindi is in south-western Uganda and is home to about half of all mountain gorillas. The park covers about 200 square miles of extremely dense rainforest and is a proclaimed World Heritage site. Part of the fun of tracking gorillas here is trying to follow them through the dense foliage. You can also get to see chimpanzees as well as some spectacular bird life.

Gorilla Permits - You need an official permit handled by each of the national parks to see the gorillas. Usually you have to obtain these several months in advance. If you are going with a tour it will be arranged for you. In Uganda it costs Usd 500 per day per person for a gorilla permit.
In Rwanda you can get permits through the African Safaris and Adventures offices .The permits cost USD 500 per person per day
CONGO GORILLA SAFARI TOUR  
A 3 days safari to Virunga Park, Congo Gorilla tour takes you to Virunga national park which is located on the Eastern side of Congo from Kisoro district famous for the mountain gorilla tracking living in the tropical rainforest. This park borders Uganda and Congo with two active volcanoes namely Nyiragongo and Nyamurangira. 

Day 1: Kampala to Kisoro
After breakfast, leave in the morning while driving southwards from Kampala to Kisoro stop over at the equator for photography with lunch enroute. On your way will see the typical Ankole cows, varying vegetation to the terraced region of Kigezi arriving in Kisoro late evening. Dinner and overnight at Kisoro Tourist Hotel 

Day 2: Gorilla trek in the Virungas
After an early breakfast, drive to the Uganda-Congo border ready for mountain gorilla tracking in the Virunga Park, Congo. You will have a briefing from the park authorities before embarking on your search in the tropical rainforest. It is a great experience and adventure observing and photographing of these great apes. Do not forget to take with packed lunch and drinking water. After tracking, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at Kisoro Tourist Hotel 

Day 3: Kisoro to Kampala
Drive back to Kampala after breakfast with lunch enroute arriving late evening. 
  
 END OF THE SAFARI IN CONGO
TAILOR MADE CONGO SAFARIS
Interested in a Private Safari to Congo to track the endangered mountain gorillas or the low land gorillas, we can tailor make your tour to suit your individual needs and interests