National park · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Virunga National Park
Skip a leisure visit to Virunga National Park in 2026; US/Canada advise against travel. If essential, only a guided gorilla trek (permit $465) after securing a visa and escort.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
7,800 km² (3,012 sq mi)3,012 sq mi (7,800 km²)
approximate
Established
1925
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the DRC authorities or embassy before booking; a visa is usually needed in advance.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Check your government's advice province by province: most governments advise against all travel to the eastern provinces and several other areas, and the US and Canada advise against all travel to the DRC in 2026.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention, and carry the yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is strictly checked at DRC entry.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Photography in public places can lead to detention; do not photograph government buildings, soldiers, police, airports or bridges.
At a glance
- Country
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Area
- 7,800 km² (3,012 sq mi)3,012 sq mi (7,800 km²)
- Approximate total area of 7,800 km² covering savannah, forest, alpine and volcanic zones.
- Established
- 1925
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Virunga is Africa's oldest national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site with active volcanoes, mountain gorillas and the rare okapi, but security risks make travel possible only with escorted transport and permits.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1979Listed as a World Heritage site, in danger since 1994.
Size and age
7,800 km² (3,012 sq mi)3,012 sq mi (7,800 km²) · national park since 1925
Approximate total area of 7,800 km² covering savannah, forest, alpine and volcanic zones.
Why go
- Rare chance to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
- Climb Nyiragongo volcano and view the active lava lake.
- Explore diverse ecosystems from savannah to alpine forest.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain gorillaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Chimpanzee (Tongo)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| OkapiAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephant, lion, leopard, buffaloAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Goma (DRC)
Fly into Goma International Airport; arrange escorted transport with park office.
30–60 min flight from Kigali; plus 1 h to park gate.
From Bunagana (Uganda border)
Cross border on foot; obtain local visa (US$50) and meet park escort.
≈1 h to park gate.
Open the page →
From Gisenyi/Goma (Rwanda border)
Cross border; pre‑arranged visa (US$280) required.
≈1 h to gate.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Rumangabo headquarters | Visitor centre, permit office, base for Nyiragongo and gorilla treks. | Open with permit and escorted transport. |
| Nyiragongo sector | Volcano climb, lava lake viewpoint. | Guided trek only. |
| Mikeno sector | Gorilla habituation area, Mikeno Lodge. | Guided gorilla trek required. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate centre of the park.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist visa (2‑week) | US$105 | person | — |
| Nyiragongo trek permit | US$255 | person | — |
| Mountain gorilla permit | US$465 | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Tourist visa permit or guide
Nyiragongo trek permit permit or guide
Gorilla trekking permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$105
- US$255
- US$465
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- All treks (Nyiragongo, gorilla, Rwenzori) require a licensed ICCN guide.
- Transport
- Self‑driving is prohibited; use escorted park transport.
- Permits
- Entry without a valid permit is not allowed.
- Security
- Follow park security briefings; avoid travel after dark in unrest zones.
- Camping
- Only authorized camps (Bukima Patrol Post) allowed; fee US$15 per person.
Where to stay
In the park
Mikeno Lodge
High‑end lodge near gorilla sector, full board.
In the park
Bukima Patrol Post
Basic tented camp, optional self‑camping for US$15.
Near the park
Goma town
Budget hotels and guesthouses, 1 h drive to gate.
Safety
Armed conflict high
Volcano activity medium
Health (Ebola, malaria) medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Headquarters and lodge areas reachable by vehicle; trails are steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- All park fees support conservation and community projects.
- Avoid souvenir trade that harms wildlife.
- Use park‑approved transport to limit environmental impact.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Virunga National Park?
A 2‑week tourist visa is US$105; a Nyiragongo trek permit US$255; a gorilla trekking permit US$465. All require a guide and escorted transport.
What are the best hikes in Virunga National Park?
Nyiragongo volcano climb (2 days), mountain gorilla trek in Mikeno sector (1 day), and the multi‑day Rwenzori mountain trek.
When is the best time to visit Virunga National Park?
Security conditions are the limiting factor; the park remains high‑risk year‑round. Travel only when escorted and after checking the latest safety alerts.
Do I need a guide for all activities?
Yes. All treks, including volcano and gorilla walks, require a licensed ICCN guide.
Can I drive my own vehicle in the park?
No. Self‑driving is prohibited; use park‑arranged escorted transport.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Virunga National Park
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