Luxury Travel to Virunga National Park made for you
Gorilla trekking
Spend some time with the incredible mountain gorillas
Bird life
The park is home to a wide variety of bird species
Wildlife spotting
Look out for chimps and other animals on your trek
Gorilla trekking for the truly intrepid
Stretching along a vast swathe of the DRC’s borders with Uganda and Rwanda, Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park and one of the world’s most important.
Centred around Lake Edward, this vast UNESCO-protected region encompasses snow-capped mountains and still active volcanoes – none more dramatic than the broiling orange lava lake of Nyiragongo – and an incredibly biodiverse patchwork of forests, savannah and marshland.
Its most famous residents are its mountain gorillas, for whom the park was originally founded to protect, and trekking to see them here is a truly special experience. The park also contains more bird, mammal and reptile species than any protected area on the African continent, including chimpanzee, savannah and forest elephants, okapi, Congo lion, buffalo and even a small population of eastern lowland gorilla.
Virunga is a place for intrepid wildlife lovers who want to make a real impact with their travel. Without the relative crowds of neighbouring Rwanda, you can generally expect to see gorillas accompanied by your own personal guide and dedicated ranger team. Combined with a small selection of intimate lodges, some of the adventures include overnight hikes up volcanoes, chimp trekking and a chance to meet some of the most committed conservationists in Africa. With first-hand travel experience, we can arrange safe, privately guided luxury Virunga safaris for an African adventure like no other.
Highlights
Join your personal guide and a dedicated ranger team and trek to see a family of mountain gorillas out in the wild
Spend time with some of the most committed conservationists in Africa and learn about their work in this region
Embark on an epic adventure to conquer Mount Bisoke, an extinct volcano tucked away in the Virunga Mountains, its crown jewel a mesmerising crater lake at the summit
Luxury accommodation in Virunga National Park
There are many a few places to stay in Virunga National Park. Here is one of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Safari expertise
Our experts bring decades of first-hand expertise. They’ve lived and travelled across Africa and are regularly on the ground reviewing the most exclusive camps and experiences. You’ll also have the support of a personal concierge, based in region.
Unforgettable guides
We handpick the most knowledgeable guides, who bring each destination to life with care and passion. They’re chosen for their ability to provide unrivalled insight into the region’s wildlife and landscapes as well as a genuine, memorable experience.
Positive impact
By travelling with us, you directly support a range of initiatives spanning wildlife conservation to community engagement. Our luxury trips are designed to prioritise experiences that are positive for you and the places you visit.
Meet your Africa team
When to visit Virunga National Park
Adventure in Virunga National Park is most accessible during the dry windows of June to September and December to February. During these months, the trails are firm and the skies clear, making the trek to see the mountain gorillas or the climb up Nyiragongo significantly easier. If you don’t mind a bit of mud and heavy mist, visiting during the rainy seasons (March–May and October–November) offers a more solitary experience, though you should come prepared for a more rugged journey.
Gorilla trekking
June–September, December–February
Fewer peopele
March–May
Plan your trip to Virunga National Park
Whatever you want from your adventure in Virunga National Park, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
