Congo gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, and the overnight climb of Mount Nyiragongo above Goma, were once easy add-ons to a trip from Kigali. As of 17 October 2026 they are not available. This page explains what is closed, what official travel advice says, and where you can trek gorillas instead. We check the parks' own notices and will update this page when anything changes.
Kigali Safaris is not a tour operator, and we do not arrange travel to eastern Congo while these closures and travel warnings are in place. We help you plan treks in Rwanda and Uganda and connect you with licensed operators there.
What is closed
| Activity | Status as of 17 October 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain gorilla treks, Virunga National Park | Closed until further notice | Virunga National Park's official booking site |
| Mount Nyiragongo volcano treks, Virunga National Park | Closed until further notice | Virunga National Park's official booking site |
| Eastern lowland gorilla visits, Kahuzi-Biega National Park | Closed to the public and to tourism until further notice (notice dated 1 January 2026) | Kahuzi-Biega visitor website, run with the Wildlife Conservation Society |
Be careful with travel sites that still show Virunga or Kahuzi-Biega packages or "available slots". Some pages have simply not been updated. If anyone offers to sell you a Virunga gorilla permit or a Nyiragongo climb while the park's own notice says closed, do not pay.
Official travel advice for eastern Congo
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to:
- North Kivu, including the city of Goma, the gateway to Virunga and Nyiragongo;
- South Kivu, including the city of Bukavu, the gateway to Kahuzi-Biega.
The FCDO also warns that the border crossings between Rwanda and the DRC at Gisenyi and Goma and at Rusizi and Bukavu could close at short notice, and that routes out of Goma and Bukavu are limited. Check your own government's advice before planning any travel in the region, and check it again close to departure.
Rwanda's side of the border is a separate matter. Rubavu (Gisenyi) and the rest of the Lake Kivu shore are in Rwanda, and our pages on them follow Rwandan sources.
Where to see mountain gorillas instead
Mountain gorillas live in two places: the Virunga volcanoes, shared by Rwanda, Uganda and Congo, and Bwindi in Uganda. With Congo's side closed, these parks remain open:
| Park | Country | From Kigali | Gorilla permit, international visitors (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes National Park | Rwanda | About three hours by road | US$1,500 |
| Mgahinga Gorilla National Park | Uganda, in the Virunga volcanoes | Five hours or more, via the Cyanika border and Kisoro | US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November) |
| Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Uganda | Five to six hours to the southern sectors | US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November) |
Sources: Visit Rwanda for Volcanoes National Park; the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) tariff for Mgahinga and Bwindi.
- Gorilla trekking in Rwanda: the closest to Kigali, on the Rwandan slopes of the same volcanoes. Rwanda's park also has golden monkeys and volcano hikes.
- Bwindi gorilla trekking from Kigali: across the border in Uganda, with about 459 gorillas according to UWA, almost half of the world's population.
- Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking: how the two compare on price, access and the hike.
If you wanted Nyiragongo
Nyiragongo's lava lake has no equivalent nearby. If what you wanted was a volcano hike, Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park has hikes on the Rwandan side of the Virunga chain, such as Mount Bisoke, known for its crater lake, and the walk to Dian Fossey's grave. Fees for these are not published on the official pages we use, so contact us for a current quote. See our Rwanda safari cost guide for the fees that are published.
If you wanted eastern lowland gorillas
Eastern lowland gorillas, also called Grauer's gorillas, are found only in eastern Congo, and Kahuzi-Biega was the main place where visitors could see them. There is no open alternative for this subspecies while the park is closed. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda are the closest experience.
When will Virunga reopen?
The park has not announced a date. Virunga's booking site says to contact the park by email for bookings, and its notice reads "closed until further notice". We check the official Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega notices regularly and will update this page when either park announces a reopening, together with the travel advice at that time.
Plan a gorilla trek that is open
Tell us your dates, group size and budget through the form. We will suggest the best open option for your trip, Rwanda, Uganda or both, and connect you with licensed operators who can book the permits and transport from Kigali.
Frequently asked questions
Is Virunga National Park open for gorilla trekking?
No. As of 17 October 2026, Virunga National Park's official booking site says gorilla and Nyiragongo treks are closed until further notice. We will update this page when the park announces a reopening. Mountain gorillas of the same Virunga population can be visited in Rwanda and Uganda.
Can I climb Mount Nyiragongo in 2026?
No. Virunga National Park lists Nyiragongo treks as closed until further notice, alongside gorilla treks. If you want a volcano hike, Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park offers hikes on the Virunga volcanoes on the Rwandan side, such as Mount Bisoke and its crater lake.
Is Kahuzi-Biega National Park open?
No. The park's visitor website, run with the Wildlife Conservation Society, published a notice dated 1 January 2026 saying the park remains closed to the public and to tourism until further notice because of the security situation in South Kivu.
Is it safe to travel to Goma or Bukavu?
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to North Kivu, including Goma, and South Kivu, including Bukavu. It also warns that the border crossings between Rwanda and the DRC at Gisenyi and Goma and at Rusizi and Bukavu could close at short notice.
Where can I see mountain gorillas instead?
In Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, about three hours from Kigali, and in Uganda's Mgahinga and Bwindi national parks, a five to six hour drive from Kigali across the Cyanika border. Mgahinga is in the same Virunga volcanoes as Congo's gorilla sector.
Can I see eastern lowland gorillas anywhere else?
Eastern lowland gorillas, also called Grauer's gorillas, live only in eastern Congo, and Kahuzi-Biega was the main place to visit them. While it is closed, there is no alternative for this subspecies. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda are the closest experience.