For years, eastern DR Congo offered some of the most memorable and affordable gorilla treks in Africa. Virunga National Park, on the Congolese side of the Virunga volcanoes, and Kahuzi-Biega National Park, near Lake Kivu, both had habituated gorilla families and a loyal following among travellers. We still get asked about them every week. So here is where things stand in September 2026, as plainly as we can put it.
The short answer: not right now
Gorilla trekking in eastern DR Congo is not operating normally, and we are not selling Congo gorilla treks at the moment. Three things drive that decision:
- Virunga’s own notice. The park’s official visitor website says that gorilla and Nyiragongo treks are closed until further notice. No reopening date has been announced.
- Security. M23 rebels took control of Goma in January 2025 and Bukavu in February 2025. These are the two gateway towns for Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega. The UK government (in advice updated on 16 September 2026) advises against all travel to North and South Kivu, and the US State Department’s advisory for DR Congo is at its highest level, “Do Not Travel”.
- Health. In May 2026 the World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. It has affected Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, and transmission in DR Congo was still being reported in September 2026.
We know some websites still advertise Congo gorilla packages. We would rather tell you honestly that we can’t recommend it, than take a booking we don’t believe in.
Virunga National Park
Virunga was founded in 1925 as Africa’s first national park and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Its gorilla families live on the slopes of Mikeno, in the same Virunga massif that Rwanda and Uganda share. Many of its rangers have lost their lives protecting the park, and conservation work continues in very difficult conditions. When the park does reopen, it will again be one of the great gorilla experiences. We’ll share the news as soon as it’s official.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Kahuzi-Biega protects Grauer’s gorillas, also called eastern lowland gorillas: the largest gorillas of all, found only in DR Congo. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 1997. It’s normally reached through Bukavu, which is why access has been cut off in practice since early 2025. We can’t confirm that regular tourist visits are running, and we won’t send guests there until we can.
The alternatives: the same mountain gorillas
If mountain gorillas are what you’re after, you lose nothing by trekking on the Uganda or Rwanda side of the border. The gorillas are the same species, and some families move freely across the volcanoes.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Home to around half of the world’s mountain gorillas, with four trekking sectors. The permit is US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. Read our Bwindi guide.
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda. On the Virunga volcanoes themselves, with gorillas and golden monkeys. The same US$800 gorilla permit, and golden monkey tracking for US$60.
- Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. About two and a half hours from Kigali airport. The permit is US$1,500, but the short transfer makes it ideal if time is tight.
The one thing we can’t replace is Grauer’s gorillas, which live nowhere else. If they’re on your wish list, tell us and we’ll let you know when we’re confident it’s possible again.
Not sure which country to choose? Our guide to Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking compares cost, travel time and the trek itself, and our permit price guide has the latest fees.
What would need to change
Before we offer Congo treks again, we want to see all of the following:
- The park authority officially reopens gorilla trekking and is taking bookings.
- Major governments, including the UK and US, no longer advise against all travel to the area.
- The Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo is declared over.
- Travel insurers will cover the trip, including medical evacuation.
- Our own partners on the ground confirm that roads and border crossings are safe.
Good to know
- If you travel against your government’s advice, your travel insurance may not be valid.
- Gorilla permits in every country are non-refundable, so don’t book one for Congo on the hope that things change by your travel date.
- Our DR Congo page carries our current travel status for every Congolese park we list.
If you had your heart set on Congo, we understand. Tell us your dates and budget, and we’ll build you a gorilla trip in Uganda or Rwanda that’s just as special, and safe to book today.
Found this useful? Send it to someone planning a trip.
