The fauna of Kahuzi-Biega National Park is largely made of a huge concentration of mammal species estimated to be 136. This is a greater profusion of mammal species diversity no any other site within the Albertine rift holds except Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Eastern Lowland Gorillas
The national park was established to protect eastern lowland gorillas that had started spreading in the democratic republic of Congo. Around 125 lowland gorillas were recognized with 136 different species of mammals of which are a large mammals such as elephants, forest buffalo, leopards ,chimpanzee .355 species of birds,69 species of reptiles,44 amphibians and over 1171 different species of plants.
The number of the eastern lowland gorillas has reduced in the last decade most especially in the areas of highland altitude where data collection is being conducted. According to the census survey by wildlife conservation society in April 2011, about 181 gorillas have been confirmed to be in the national park.
Other Primates
Of the 136 species of mammals in Kahuzi-Biega, 13 primate species also exist. But entirely, the park’s diverse faunal species include the most sought-for Eastern Lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas), leopards, civets, Lowland bongos, hippos, owl-faced monkeys, the Albertine owlets, African forest elephants, giant forest hogs, buffaloes, Rwenzori otter shrew, Mount Kahuzi climbing mouse, Hamlyn monkeys, Alexander’s bush squirrels, chimps, aquatic genets, baboons.
Grauer’s Gorillas
The Grauer’s gorillas are one of the two sub-species of gorillas that inhabit most parts of central and eastern Africa, in D.R.Congo, Congo Brazzaville and Gabon due to the thickness of the jungles which are preferred by these special apes. The eastern lowland gorillas tend to be very common than their cousins, mountain gorillas which are only found in Rwanda, Uganda and D.R.Congo. The two species are different from each other by their bodies, hands and nature of the muzzle.
Besides the Eastern lowland gorillas, Kahuzi Biega national park also offers a number of activities to her visitors who hope to travel to this spectacular park, being the home for 135 other species of mammals that include over 12 primate species including the eastern chimpanzees, baboons, red tailed monkey, blue monkey and many others. The mammals that can be seen in this park include forest elephants, leopards, civets, many antelopes, duikers and otter.
The forest elephants are some of the endangered species of elephants and it is not easy to find them in other parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo basin. Unlike some other wildlife, elephants are capable of camouflaging with the environment. This specie of elephant is distinct from savanna elephants considering their smaller size than those in savanna grassland. In Kahuzi-Biega National Park, forest elephants dwell mostly in high and low elevation and it is possible to spot about 10 individuals in their group.
Wild cats are some of the fascinating wildlife in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and they include among others golden cats, leopard. They are largely carnivores hunting mostly the small antelopes including duikers, bongo and many more.
The forest buffaloes also dwell in the jungles of Kahuzi-Biega National Park. They are distinct from the savanna buffaloes considering their color which comes in red color.
Other primates besides the Eastern Lowland gorillas that thrive in Kahuzi-Biega National Park include the blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and many more. They dwell in the lowland elevation of the park and most of them can be spotted on Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking.
Birds in Kahuzi Biega
Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo also never leaves birders out. Bird watchers have over 350 bird species to look for while on Congo safari holiday. These include rufous vented paradise flycatcher, cinnamon chested bee-eater, bar-tailed trogon, red eyed dove, black cuckoos, Grauer’s broadbill, African golden oriole, golden winged sunbird, Sharpe’s sterling, black faced rufous warblers, yellow bellied waxbill, barn swallow, brown throated wattle eye, Albertine sooty boubou, white headed wood hoopoe and others.