Kahuzi Biega National Park
A Complete Guide to Visiting Kahuzi Biega National Park packed with travel information on things to do, things to see, maps & guides, where to stay, tips & advice.
Kahuzi Biega National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, home to the Eastern Lowland Gorillas. This is the only national park where one can see the Eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat.
This area is the 2nd most important tourism site in Eastern DR Congo in terms of species diversity and it protects several endemic species in the region.
About the Park
Kahuzi Biega is a well conserved national park neighboring Bukavu town which is in the east of DR Congo.
The park is enormous covering an area of 6,000sqkm, it is covered with rolling hills, tropical forests with a thick jungle and two vast extinct volcanoes known as Kahuzi and Biega which is where the park derives its name.
The eastern lowland gorillas are the closest cousins to the popular mountain gorillas. They are a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla. They are are known to be roaming primates in two protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo These are the Kahuzi Biega Mountains and the less known Maiko National Park.
Currently gorilla tourism has only been developed in the Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Featured Tours
Since Kahuzi Biega National Park is one of the “off the usual trail” destinations, there are a few tours available. We have created possible tour itineraries for visitors looking to explore the park. If you are looking for a specific Itinerary not listed on this website, send us an email through info@kahuzi-biega.org. We’re working on creating more itineraries so that we can have more ideas.
Things to Do
There are plenty of activities/experiences to engage in while on Kahuzi-Biega National Park holiday. These include among others Grauer’s/Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking, bird watching, hiking/volcano climbing, nature walk and Lwiro sanctuary tours.
Exciting activities to enjoy in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Although most visitors may think that DR Congo’s tourism largely depends on the Virunga’s rare mountain gorillas, Kahuzi Biega National Park is a hidden gem that you shouldn’t miss out to visit. This new heritage site still holds untouched biodiversity and so life changing adventures. The park covers an area of about 6000 square kilometers, Eastern DR Congo in Bukavu town.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking
Kahuzi is a home to the largest lowland gorillas in the entire world that make up about 250 individuals, which makes them the top attraction for Lowland gorilla safaris in DR Congo. Only 2 groups have been habituated and available for tracking which offer trekkers with life changing experiences. These creatures share about 98% of their DNA with humans and trekkers are advised to wear masks. This adventure involves hiking through the lush tropical rain forest through its trails in search of gorilla group. It takes about 30 to 6 hours in the forest but 1 hour of an encounter with these fascinating wild Apes is such magical experience not to be missed out. Visitors get opportunity to explore their behaviors while in the wild, playful behavior, responsibilities, body gestures, feeding and a chance to sight at the youngsters.
Volcano Hiking
Safaris to this remarkable protected area are more than Lowland gorilla trekking; there are also opportunities to hike its volcanoes. There are 2 inactive volcano mountains at the center of this park that hikers engage in hiking adventures. Mount Kahuzi is the highest sanding at 3308 meters above sea level. Alongside Mount Kahuzi, Biega is also available and stands at 2790 meters above sea level. The summits of these 2 mountains offer the most stunning view of whole national park, wildlife and surrounding communities and states. Further still, the bamboo and subalpine vegetation that protects varied wild species and thereby also offering a chance to sight at owl faced monkeys and several birds.
Birding
Kahuzi Biega National Park offers refuge to more than 342 birds, 42 of which are endemic to the park. It is birders paradise! The birds to spot include African green broadbill, yellow crested helmet shrike, Congo peacock and Rockefeller’s. This protected area is one of the endangered sites that have been designated under IUCN.
Nature walks
There are several trails within the forest that are all leading to distinct tourism sites. They also lead to Tshibati waterfalls and then to 3 waterfalls within the park. With your skilled tour guide, you will be sighting at the lush vegetation zones and wildlife and listen sweet melodies of forest birds as they sing.
Things to See in Kahuzi Biega
With remarkable natural endowments, Kahuzi Biega National Park is blessed with numerous attractions. The park harbors over 136 species of mammals as well as around 23 primate species, also forest hogs, colobus bai, eastern chimpanzees, owl-faced monkeys, leopards the African climbing mouse of mount Kahuzi, bush buffaloes and elephants among others.
Grauer’s Gorillas
The eastern lowland gorillas are the closest cousins to the popular mountain gorillas. They are a subspecies of the Eastern gorilla.
Plan Your Trip to Kahuzi Biega National Park
Getting There
The park is located close to the Rwandan border and the Western shore of Lake Kivu. The park is located about 30 kilometers from Bukavu town, and getting to the park takes only 1-2hours by road and about 45mins by air from Goma airport. It lies in the eastern province of Democratic Republic of Congo – South Kivu province.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking is one of the world’s best remarkable wildlife safari experience, one will never forget while on safari to Africa.
The Eastern Lowland Gorillas should not miss out on your bucket-list if you are looking to gorilla trekking in Africa. These great apes are more eye-catching and worth to see in their natural home. The hour spent with these gentle giants is unforgettable.
A growing number of tourists are visiting Kahuzi Biega National Park for gorilla trekking. Most gorilla treks start from Bukavu and you can arrange your next trip with a local tour operator listed on this website.
You can easily combine your trip to Kahuzi Biega National Park with mountain gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park and a hike to the Nyiragongo Mountains. Trips to other known gorilla parks; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Mgahinga National Park of Uganda as well as the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda are available from selected tour operators.
When is the Best Time to visit Kahuzi Biega National Park?
Best time to visit Kahuzi Biega National Park is within the month of January to February and end of May through up to October, during these months, the ground is drier unlike in November and March and April when heavier rains are usually experienced. However, the dry season doesn’t mean that the park won’t experience rains; this is a tropical rain forest so it is better to be prepared and expect it to rain at any time.
Accommodation
Compared to the rest of gorilla parks, Kahuzi-Biega National Park has very limited lodges inside the park and camping is the available option. Most hotels and lodges that visitors do book for overnight stay are around Congo’s Bukavu Town. They include Mount Kahuzi Hotel, Lakeside Hotel, L’Orchids Safari Club, Exodus Hotel.News & Tips
Learn about news, tips, guides and resources for visiting Kahuzi Biega National Park. Here we share all kinds of stories & tips about exploring our area. From hiking to gorilla trekking, join us on a journey to this great home to the Grauer’s gorillas.
Rewards from Gorilla Trekking in Africa
How Close Are Gorillas Related to Humans
Minimum Age for Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Guidelines to Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Disclaimer…
This travel resource is a labor of love for tourism in East and Central Africa. It is owned by the Africa Tourist Guide, an organization that aims at documenting and promoting tourism sites in Africa. THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE for the park but a RESOURCEFUL website that you can use to plan your next trip to Kahuzi Biega National Park, a less known destination in Central Africa.