Kahuzi Biega National Park

Kahuzi Biega national park is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo near Bukavu in the eastern side of Congo. This national park is known for its exceptional biodiversity and eastern lowland gorillas and is managed by Congolais pour la conservation de la Nature. Kahuzi Biega park offers chances to experience and admire the world’s largest primate species which are the lowland gorillas. It happens to be one of the famous national parks in Congo.

Kahuzi Biega National Park was named after the extinct Volcanoes Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega. Mount Kahuzi is higher compared to mount Biega situated in the southern Kivu region. This national park is characterized by both low altitude and high altitude in different sections of the park.

The eastern part of Kahuzi Biega is hilly in nature and also consists of lowland stretching from Bukavu to Kisangani with rivers such as Luka and Lugulu rivers flowing through it and draining into the Lualaba River.

Kahuzi Biega is also characterized by swamps, marshlands, and forests. The equatorial rainforest occupies the western parts of the national park.

Despite the concerns about security in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is important to be aware of the current situations within the region and Kahuzi Biega is one of the safe destinations where tourists can experience the lowland gorillas and enjoy the beauty of the forests and nature around them.

The park officials have put in place different security measures to ensure that tourists are safe and they enjoy their experiences in Kahuzi Biega and the officials are also optimistic about tourism. Some of the security measures which have been put in place include training and deploying more rangers in the national park.

Gorilla trekking has greatly impacted the communities around the park which earn income as a result of tourism activities in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

The best time to visit Kahuzi Biega

The dry season is experienced in the months of June to September and December to February in Kahuzi Biega national park while the rainy season is experienced in the months of April to May and in October and January. The dry season is more favorable for tourists who wish to explore this national park.

How to get to Kahuzi Biega national park;

Kahuzi Biega national park can be accessed by road and by means of flight as follows;

By road, Kahuzi Biega national park can be accessed from Kigali through Bukavu.
By air, the national park can be accessed through domestic charter flights from Kigali. Flights can be made to Kavumu airport.

Attractions in Kahuzi Biega national park include;

Lowland gorillas are the main attraction in this national park and there are about three gorilla groups habituated for tourists. Other wildlife species can also be seen in Kahuzi Biega such as giant forest hogs, forest elephants, antelopes, bush duikers, lowland bongo, African forest buffalo, olive baboon, aquatic civet, eastern needle clawed galago, Maclaud’s horseshoe bat bush squirrels and many others. Primate species that can be seen along with the lowland gorillas and other wildlife species include the eastern chimpanzee, the colobine and owl-faced monkeys. These gorilla species inhabit Africa’s densest and remote rainforests and occur in high densities in areas with dense leaf growth. The lowland gorillas are differentiated from the mountain gorillas by a broader chest and a longer face with large hands and a short muzzle. The meals of this species of gorillas depend on leaves and pith as well as insects specifically ants.
Bird species that can be sighted in Kahuzi Biega include the yellow-crested shrike, Congo peafowl, African green broadbill, Rockefeller’s sunbird, hornbills, Rwenzori turaco, trogons.

Activities in Kahuzi Biega national park include the following;

Gorilla trekking is a key activity carried out in Kahuzi Biega national park. The rules and regulations of lowland gorilla trekking is similar to those of mountain gorilla trekking in any other destination. Congo Gorilla permits cost USD 400 per person and this amount is cheaper compared to prices of gorilla trekking permits in other destinations. The gorillas can be seen as they feed and groom each other with the male gorillas watching over their families. Gorilla habituation engages tourists in a close encounter with the lowland gorillas in this national park.
Hiking mount Kahuzi and mount Biega provides an excellent view of the rest of the national park and views of the tree canopies. These hikes also involve passing through bamboo forest and sub-alpine vegetation where the trekkers will be able to see some wildlife species. Some of the trails within the national park include the waterfalls trail which offers views of three magnificent waterfalls.
Birding is another activity which is carried out in Kahuzi Biega and a variety of bird species can be seen in the trees within the national park such as yellow-crested shrike, Congo peafowl, African green broadbill, Rockefeller’s sunbird, hornbills, Rwenzori turaco, trogons. Birding is favorable during the morning and the evening hours and the day during forest walks where many species of birds can be seen including the endemic bird species.
Nature walks involve walking along various trails within the tropical rainforest as tourists enjoy the scenery around Kahuzi Biega and special attention is given to different aspects of within the national park such as the vegetation types. The Tshibiti waterfall trails is among the trails within the national park which provide the tourists with experiences within the African forest as they view different attractions.
Visiting the Lwiro sanctuary which is a rehabilitation center for primates to ensure their survival in the wild. A visit to this sanctuary can be combined with a gorilla trekking experience in Kahuzi Biega. Some of the orphaned primates at this sanctuary include chimpanzees and different monkey species.

Accommodations in Kahuzi Biega can be found in the nearby towns of Bukavu and can be accessed by road and they range from luxury accommodation, mid-range accommodation, and budget accommodation. Some of the accommodation facilities include Orchids Safari Club Hotel, coco lodge, hotel Begonias, Exodus Bukavu, Lake Side Hotel Bukavu, Mount Kahuzi Hotel Bukavu.

Visit Kahuzi Biega for an experience with the lowland gorillas in the tropical rainforests of Congo.