Wildlife Tours To The Less Traveled Paths in DRC

Democratic Republic of Congo is one tourism giant but the least explored wildlife tours destination in East and Central Africa. The country has been affected by civil wars for a long time thereby discouraging many potential tourists.

DRC is huge with diverse wildlife and ecosystems making it one of the most attractive country in the region. While in East Africa, you can easily access the Eastern part of DRC uncovering all the hidden tourist attractions.

Let us uncover the country’s less traveled paths for unmatched wildlife tours in this beautiful safari destination.

Mount Nyiragongo Hiking Wildlife Tours

Mount Nyiragongo is one of the World’s most active Volcanic Mountains currently. The Mountain is part of the Virunga massif Volcanic Mountains located in Eastern DRC. Mount Nyiragongo has a 2 kilometer wide crater with a lava Lake that adventure tourists are very opportunistic to observe.

Nyiragongo’s lower slopes is covered with a forest that has various wildlife species like Chimpanzees, three-horned chameleon and birds. These are often seen while on the hike as you start the adventurous hike.

The Mountain Overlaps Baratu and Shaheru Volcanic mountains covered with green vegetation an awesome view to look out for. The Mount Nyiragongo hike is divided into 5 major sections each with a 15 minutes break. With these stopovers, hikers get a chance to see wildlife and take photos as they learn more about the area.

Wildlife tours to Nyiragongo are adventurous and rewarding though the mountain is among the less visited destinations in the region.

Mount Nyiragongo Lava Lake; DRC Wildlife Tours
Mount Nyiragongo Lava Lake - DRC. Courtesy Photo

Mountain Gorilla Wildlife Tours

DRC’s Virunga national park is one place in East and central Africa with habituated mountain gorillas. Mountain gorilla are rare apes that live in the forested mountains of sub Saharan Africa.

With about 95% DNA similar to humans, mountain gorillas are among Man’s closest primates. Just like humans, mountain gorillas live in families headed by a dominant male gorilla. Hiking the forested mountains of Virunga National park to meet gorillas is often referred to as once in a lifetime.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Virunga national park gives one an opportunity to meet other wildlife especially birds. This double experience thereby uncovers some of Congo’s tourism treasures whose safaris are very exclusive.

Mountain Gorilla in Democratic Republic of Congo
Mountain Gorilla in Virunga National Park. Photo by Blue Skye Photos

Lowland Gorilla tours of Kahuzi Biega

A part from Mountain gorillas, DRC has another gorilla sub species; the Eastern Lowland gorillas. Lowland gorillas inhabit the forested mountains of Mount Kahuzi and Biega in Eastern DRC.

Eastern lowland gorillas differ from other gorillas as they are larger in size with a stocky body and short muzzle. They are the least explored gorilla species and yet offer exclusive primate tracking experiences.

Kahuzi Biega national park is a true definition of less traveled wildlife paths and we encourage tourists to explore it. While on the lowland gorilla tour you also get to meet other wildlife species in the park.

While on wildlife tours in East Africa, ensure to add DRC to your itinerary. The country though less explored will leave you very astonished yearning for more wildlife experiences.

Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Beiga NP DRC
Eastern Lowland Gorilla in Kahuzi Beiga NP. Photo by Shannon

Uganda National Parks Now Fully Open For Tourism Amidst COVID 19 Crisis

Chimpanzee in Kibale Forest National Park Uganda
Chimpanzee in Kibale Forest NP Uganda. Photo by Alex Mushabe

Uganda just like any other country in the world was hit by the Corona Virus disease outbreak which prompted the closure of tourism and national parks. Many COVID 19 cases have been reported daily with the total cases currently standing at 3667 with 1608 recoveries and 41 deaths.

It should be remembered that Uganda lock down its economy in March this year to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

In June the Uganda Wildlife Authority started opening up slowly for tourism as domestic tourists were allowed to visit the savanna national parks. For the primates in Uganda given that the major primates (Chimpanzees and mountain gorillas) have over 95% DNA similar to humans, the primates national parks remained closed

The continued closure of the primate parks was done to ensure better standard operating procedures are put in place to ensure the safety of primates as they could easily contract the disease from humans.

After several engagements with the various stakeholders and the Ministry, all national parks in Uganda including the primates parks have been officially fully opened for tourist visitation.

Guidelines to be Followed

All national parks are mandated to do temperature screening using non-contact infra red thermometers at key tourism entry points

Its mandatory to have hand washing and sanitizing points and major park entries

All tourists are mandated to wear a face mask while inside the national parks

Social distancing will continue to be observed especially in tourist vehicles and boats in national parks as they will only be allowed to carry half capacity of the usual numbers.

With all national parks now fully open, Uganda now joins the other three East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda that opened their economies for business and tourism.

There is hope that Entebbe international airport will open up for international commercial flights on 1st October 2020 which will great improve tourism as many people having been waiting to travel and explore again.

Uganda is one of the leading wildlife destinations in East Africa with a number of wildlife attractions and a unique culture of the people. Wildlife tours in Uganda feature tourist activities like game drives, nature walks, boat cruises, balloon safaris and primate trekking. These offer great wildlife encounters and its what travel enthusiast need after several months of lock down.