The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a protected area and a UNESCO world heritage site near Bukavu town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is situated near the western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border.
Kahuzi Biega National Park was created in 1970 and occupying the area of 60000 and the first lowland gorilla trekking was done in 1973 in Kahuzi Biega and its among the reasons that it ranks high when it comes to eastern lowland gorilla trekking.
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located in the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo and occupies three provinces: South Kivu (Territories of Kabare, Kalehe, Shabunda and Walunga), North Kivu (Territory of Walikale) and Maniema (Territory of Punia). It covers an area of 6000 km², with an altitude ranging from 600 to 3308m. Its name derives from two mountains which generate its high altitude: Mount Kahuzi (3308m) and Mount Biega (2790m). The PNKB characterizes itself by a magnificent landscape quality with floristic diversity and its close proximity to Lake Kivu.
The Kahuzi Biega National Park is currently the only protected area in the world where it is possible for tourists and scientists to observe, with certainty and serenity, Grauer’s Gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) in their natural habitat.
This park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, which are within its limits. With an area of 6,000 square kilometers (2,300 sq mi), Kahuzi-Biega is one of the biggest national parks in the country. Set in both mountainous and lowland terrain, it is one of the last refuges of the rare species of Eastern lowland gorilla.
Of the 3 existent sub-species of the Eastern Gorilla, the Grauer’s Gorilla is undoubtedly the most impressive. A visit to the Gorilla, today, is one of the most passionate and heartrending eco-touristic adventures one could experience on the African continent.
- History and Status
- Geography
- Fauna and Flora:Flora and fauna.This national park has got an ironic variety of flora and fauna that offers protection to over 1,178 plant species in the mountainous section of the park with other different species such as 136 species of mammals and 349 species of birds in 2003.
- Population
- Socio-economy and Culture
Quick Information About the Park
Kahuzi-Biega National park (also known as Pac national de Kahuzi Biega) is one of the most important protected areas in Africa.
Occupying a total area of 2,300sq.miles, Kahuzi Biega is home to the largest gorilla species, the Grauer’s gorillas, commonly known as the eastern lowland gorillas.
The park is under the management of ICNN and the control of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).
Where is the Kahuzi-Biega National Park?
Home to the Eastern Lowland Gorillas
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.