Kahuzi Biega National Park Attractions To Tour, DR Congo Wildlife Safaris
Things to tour in Kahuzi Biega National Park: Travel for gorilla trekking in DR Congo to enjoy the true experience of watching the world’s largest primates: the Congo Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) in eastern DR Congo is the only remaining place in the world where visitors can tour Congo Eastern Lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorilla) and Congo mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a protected area near Bukavu town in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kahuzi Biega National Park is situated near the western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Kahuzi Biega National Park was Established in 1970 by the Belgian photographer and conservationist Adrien Deschryver, the park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi (3308 m) and Mount Biega (2790 m), which are within its limits.
With an area of 6,000 square kilometers, Kahuzi-Biega is one of the biggest national parks in DR Congo. Set in both mountainous and lowland terrain, it is one of the last refuges of the rare species of Eastern lowland gorilla, an endangered category under the IUCN Red List. Kahuzi Biega National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1980 for its unique biodiversity of rainforest habitat and its eastern lowland gorillas.
About Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park
The eastern lowland gorilla—also known as Grauer’s gorilla—is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies weighing over 210 kgs. Kahuzi Biega National Park's eastern lowland gorilla is distinguished from other gorillas by its stocky body, large hands, and short muzzle. Despite its size, eastern lowland gorillas subsist mainly on fruit and other herbaceous materials, just like other gorilla subspecies.
Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to the largest population of eastern lowland gorillas. Like all gorilla sub-species, the eastern lowland gorilla is a peaceful primate. It will not attack or become aggressive without provocation. Even when provoked, they will first attempt to warn off intruders by barking or beating the chest.
Like other gorilla sub-species, the Grauer’s gorilla spends its day mostly on the ground. Kahuzi Biega National Park's eastern lowland gorilla is mainly because of their considerable weight and being less prone to predators. During their time on the ground, members of the group can be observed playing, grooming, resting, and feeding on leaves, shrubs, or stems. Nests are built mostly on the ground or top of trees using leaves and shrubs. It is only the young ones that build their nests on top of short trees.
Compared to mountain gorilla groups, eastern lowland gorilla families contain fewer individuals. A dominant silverback that dictates what is to be done and where to go leads each group. Young males and females tend to leave the group upon reaching maturity.
The female will leave to join a lone male or another group. Young males do not always leave their original group. They can decide to stay and wait to succeed their father or move away to start their own family by grabbing females from other groups. It has been observed that females tend to change groups more often than males.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Before embarking on the gorilla trekking adventure, visitors have to take part in a briefing at the Tshivanga Visitor Centre. The park Guides and Rangers will share information about the rules and regulations that govern the lowland trekking, facts about the gorillas, their families, the terrain, and what not to do while with the primates. This briefing helps visitors to go into the forest with an idea of what to expect and how to act while with the gorillas.
The Guides will lead trekkers into the wilderness for between one to six hours. Lowland gorillas are very mobile and tend to move further into the forests during certain periods of the year. Expect to find all of them in one place. The Silverback is always on the lookout for any intruders and will be watching your movements to check if the group is under any form of threat.
If the silverback senses that there is no danger, he will allow trekkers all the time to be in their midst. You are only allowed one hour with the gorillas. The one-hour allows you time to complete your observations as well as get wonderful photos to show your friends and family. Tracking eastern lowland gorillas is rare and only a few register for it. You would be among only a few to do so.
About 3 Gorilla Families are conserved and open for Gorilla Trekking by Travelers who wish to adventure into the Jungle and visitors are allowed 1 hour observing the primates upon sighting.
Visiting Congo for the Gorilla Safari Holiday requires buying a Gorilla permit which costs USD 400 to enjoy the Gorilla Trekking Experience in the Jungle of Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Where to Stay in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Hotel Begonias Bukavu: This 4-star hotel is found within the Bukavu area and next to Kahuzi Biega National Park. It is surrounded by a beautiful green courtyard and has a large swimming pool to ensure that guests can relax after tracking the gorillas early in the day. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk and room service as well as a well-stocked restaurant serving international cuisines. Internet connection is assured through wireless Internet services in all rooms. There is also a children’s play area for guests who might be planning to travel with the kids.
Lake Side Hotel Bukavu: This 4-star hotel is located on the shores of Lake Kivu but very close to Kahuzi Biega National Park. It offers a spa, dining rooms, a bar, and a large swimming pool. Their rooms are spacious, self-contained, and furnished with a working table, television screens, and sofas.
Coco Lodge Bukavu: This mid-range lodge has 8 well-furnished, self-contained rooms close to Kahuzi Biega National Park. Apart from self-contained rooms, other amenities offered by the lodge include a private bar, a central lounge, and a restaurant.
L’Orchids Safari Club: This hotel offers both budget and luxury rooms although all guests get to enjoy the beautiful scenery in Lake Kivu. L’Orchids Safari Club is a favorite accommodation facility for tourists who are planning to go for eastern lowland gorilla tracking and Visit the nearby Virunga National Park.
Exodus Hotel Bukavu: With free Wi-Fi and decent rooms, Exodus Hotel in Bukavu is one hotel to consider while planning to do lowland gorilla trekking in Congo. The Hotel has multilingual staff that are ready to serve you and ensure that your safari in Kahuzi Biega is memorable. It may not be categorized as a luxury hotel but it has everything you need to have a memorable safari in Eastern Congo.
Getting there in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is located 30 Kms from Bukavu Town and it takes and Half Drive to enter the National Park it can be accessed by road and by air however travelers have to understand that from Kavumu airport and at Miti, take a left and keep going straight until you reach the visitor center.
The best time to visit Kahuzi Biega National Park
Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February because during this period there are fewer or little rainfall in the national park
Book and Arrange with Ultimate Wild Safaris for the Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking experience in DR Congo.
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