Before traveling to Virunga National Park it is important to first confirm that all requirements to enter into the DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda have been secured. It is also important to make sure that all immunizations are up-to-date and all applicable visas have been processed and printed
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required to enter the DRC, Uganda, and Rwanda. After receiving the vaccine, you will receive a signed and stamped Yellow Fever Card, which you must bring with you on your trip.
The certificate should show your full name, date of birth and gender as written in your passport. Please note that you must receive your vaccine at least 10 days before departing on your trip.
Aside from East African passport holders, it is required to apply for a tourist visa in advance in order to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo. Please read through the information below carefully to find out how to do so.
Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), the Congolese wildlife authority, has an agreement with Direction Générale de Migration (DGM), the Congolese immigration service, to facilitate obtaining 2-week, single entry tourist visas for people visiting Virunga National Park. The cost of the visa is USD 105.
To qualify for a tourist visa, you must first purchase a package. Tourist visas purchased online through Virunga National Park are non-refundable.
Once you have booked a package and have received confirmation of your payment, you will receive an order number immediately. Please proceed to the online visa application, enter your order number at the top of the form, fill in the remaining fields, and click submit. As Congolese visas can take some time to process, it is advisable to apply as soon as you make your package booking. Tourists visas obtained through the Park will be sent electronically two weeks prior to your travel date via the e-mail address you provide at the time of your booking.
Finally, please make sure to secure any other visas that you will need as you make your way to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Countries such as Rwanda and Uganda allow some nationalities to obtain visas upon arrival to their main airports, however, it is up to the individual traveler to verify visa requirements in advance of arrival.
