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Aerial view of a luxury lodge on a lush green hilltop with large volcanoes in the background of Virunga National Park.

Luxury Travel to Virunga National Park made for you

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Africa's oldest national park

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.

  • A wide crater lake tucked into green mountains with thick white mist rolling over the water in Virunga National Park.
  • Close-up of a golden monkey with orange eyes and dark fur holding a piece of bamboo in its mouth in Virunga National Park.
  • A scenic landscape of green hills and agricultural plots with two massive volcanoes in the background of Virunga National Park.
  • A mountain gorilla with dark fur and thoughtful eyes chews on a light-colored plant stalk in Virunga National Park.
  • An outdoor dining table with orange placemats facing a large blue volcano shrouded in low clouds in Virunga National Park.
  • Four people with backpacks walk away from the camera down a path surrounded by thick green foliage in Virunga National Park.
  • Several dark-furred mountain gorillas sitting among tall, thin bamboo stalks in the lush Virunga National Park forest.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our Virunga National Park specialists

Trek with mountain gorillas

Join your personal guide and a dedicated ranger team and trek to see a family of mountain gorillas out in the wild

Meet the conservationists protecting Virunga

Spend time with some of the most committed conservationists in Africa and learn about their work in this region

Climb Mount Bisoke to its crater lake

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.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Virunga National Park adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

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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

Masking up for Gorillas

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.

Start planning

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“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”

We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…

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“heavenly honeymoon”

My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…

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“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”

We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…

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“Communication and organization were…”

Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!

Andrew Woodcock Trustpilot ★★★★★

“Iceland 8 Days”

We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.

The Reynolds Trustpilot ★★★★★

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.

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