Combining Congo gorilla trekking safari with a cultural tour in Virunga National Park
Combining Congo gorilla trekking safari with a cultural tour in Virunga National Park : Gorilla trekking is the famous activities visitors on a Congo safari normally carry out, gorilla trekking safaris in the Congo is popular conducted in Virunga National Park located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is one of the oldest National Park in the world still holding a third of the remaining large population of the mountain gorillas. Trekking this fascinating primates in Virunga National Park is an adventurous activity which offers visitors with an opportunity to explore the hidden gems of the tropical rainforest on foot in search for the habituated mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking safari in Virunga National Park starts early in the morning in the park’s headquarters with the briefing about the gorilla trekking rules and regulations, expectations and many more. After the briefing, you will be allocated a gorilla habituated family and the experienced guide who will lead to the jungles of the forest to search for this captivating primates. During the trekking, you will also meet with other species that dwell in the forest such as chimpanzees, birds, mammals, and in a lucky chance the Batwa community. Upon encountering with them, you will be allowed to have a close interaction while learning how they behave in the wild like glowing their young ones, breastfeeding, playing, take pictures and videos to show home people among others. Combining gorilla trekking safaris with the cultural experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo will give you a complete tour safaris in the country
Congo cultural tours offers visitors with a great opportunity to learn more about their different unique culture that exits in the country. Additionally it is a way to get a chance to interact freely with various indigenous communities, watch their folk dances and taste their traditional foods prepared by the local people you will visit during the Congo cultural tours
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a vast and diverse country with a rich history and unique features and it is the second largest country in the continent covering an area of approximately 900,000 square miles. The country is exceptionally rich with natural resources such as gold, oil, copper, diamond among others. Congo is a home to the most biodiverse ecosystem on the earth. The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to over 200 ethnic groups, each with its own languages, traditions, and customs. This cultural richness showcases various aspects of daily life, including music, dance, art, and cuisine. Though the country is still experiencing political instabilities, the country is still standing up for its exceptional mountain gorillas and excellent cultures.
Visiting the Batwa cultural group
This would be a good option to combine with the gorilla trekking tours, the Batwa cultural group are located inside the national park. The Batwa are indigenous group of hunter-gatherers known as the Pygmy primarily survived in the jungles of the tropical rainforest for years. visiting the Batwa cultural group in Virunga National Park offers a unique and rich cultural experiences, visitors on a Congo guided cultural tours to Batwa cultural village will get an opportunity to immerse yourself in their daily life and tradition of the Batwa people, you will also get to participate in different traditional local activities such hunting, gathering, storytelling, music, dance and crafts. You will also get a chance to take part in the guided forest walk since the Batwa have a great connection with the forest where you will be offers with firsthand glimpse in to their traditional hunting and gathering practices as well as getting information about different plants and wildlife.
Visiting the Bambuti cultural village
A visit to Bambuti cultural village is also another option to combine with the mountain gorilla trekking safaris in the democratic republic of Congo. The Bambuti cultural community known as Mbuti Pygmies are the indigenous people who have inhabited the Ituri rainforest in the northeastern park of the country. A guided cultural tour to Bambuti cultural village offers you an insight in to the traditional way of life and the heritage of the Bambuti people. While on a Congo cultural excursions in here, you will get an opportunity to interact with the local indigenous people, learning about their life style as well as participating in many traditional activities such as craft making, storytelling, dancing, resting in their huts, fruit gathering, hunting, and farming among others
Visiting Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center
Senkwekwe orphanage center is situated within the Virunga national park of the Democratic Republic of Congo near the parks’ headquarters in Rumangabo. The center was introduced in 2010 to take care of orphaned gorillas that were rescued from poachers in Virunga region. This center derived its name from the dominant silverback that was killed in 2007. This is the only gorilla orphanage center in the whole world and it is favored to have the best professional veterinary doctors, chefs and more staff to give necessary care to these gorillas. This center started with 2 orphan gorillas for instance Ndakasi and Ndeze. Later, the number of gorillas increased with addition of four gorillas such as Kaboko, Mazuka, Yalala, and Matabishi. Visiting the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center provides a unique opportunity to observe and learn about the conservation efforts aimed at protecting the endangered mountain gorillas of the region
Best time for Congo safaris in Virunga national park
Ultimately, the best time to combine gorilla trekking safaris with a cultural tour in Virunga National Park is during the dry season which runs from June to September, during this seasons, the climatic conditions of the region is characterized by little or no rainfall making it easy to walk in the jungles of the tropical rainforest in search for the mountain gorillas as well as forest walks. Additionally the dry seasons are the best time for cultural excursions, the weather is general favorable to carry out outdoor activities.
