Kahuzi Biega National Park Congo -Eastern lowland gorilla tour
Kahuzi-Biega National Park operated by the Institut Congolais Pour La Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) is a World Heritage Site. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is famous as the largest refuge of the highly endangered Eastern Lowland (Grauer’s) Gorillas. The last census of the gorillas in 2013 counted only 145 individuals and various gorilla groups are still on habituation for gorilla trekking . The highland section with most of the gorillas is open for visits, with 5 gorilla groups habituated for visitation.
The name Kahuzi Biega was derived from the two spectacular extinct volcanoes which dominate its high altitude sector, Mont Kahuzi (3,308m) and Mont Biega (2,790m).
Congo gorilla trekking tours
Planning for Eastern lowland gorillas in democratic republic of congo, all eastern lowland gorillas leads you to kahuzi biega national park which is the only destination for gorilla trekking of congo. Travelers that plan to visit Congo for eastern lowland gorilla trekking should be aware that its done in kahuzi biega national park. Find all the congo safaris offered at Congo gorilla safaris.
Kahuzi biega National park was created in 1970 and it was listed on UNESCO world Heritage Site in 1980 and It is situated near the western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega and its why the important safari activities including hiking these Mountains and Kahuzi biega national park is ranked as th biggest national park in democratic republic of congo and it has been visited by many Travelers.
Kahuzi Biega National Park Location
Kahuzi biega national park is located on the southern banks of lake kivu and its in the West of Bukavu and all travelers that go to the park enjoy their overnight at Bukavu Town. Congo gorilla safaris is offering transportation to travelers from Bukavu going for gorilla trekking in the park and the shortest safari offered at primate is 3 Days Eastern lowland gorilla tour starting from kigali international airport.
Accessibility of the Park: Kahuzi biega national Park can be accessed from Kigali Rwanda and Drive to Cross the border at Ruzizi Border. All our safaris start from Kigali to Congo and later cross back to Kigali.
Flora and Fauna of Kahuzi Biega National park
The Park has a rich diversity of flora and fauna and provides protection to 1,178 plant species in the mountainous region of the park, with some 136 species of mammals 349 species of birds, as of 2003.
The park is home to some of the last remaining populations of Eastern lowland gorillas in the wild. There were an estimated 600 living in the park in 1990, but there are only believed to be a couple hundred still alive after the tumultuous fighting of the 1990s and 2000s. In comparison to the western lowland gorillas, with a population of over 100,000 in Congo-Brazzaville, the total population of eastern lowland gorillas numbers at less than 4,000. They’re also not to be confused with the mountain gorillas sought by tourists in Rwanda, Uganda, and Virunga National Park.
People and the Kahuzi Biega Park
The involvement of local communities living at the peripheries of the Park in the governance of natural resources is a top priority for Natural Park Kahuzi-Biega. This aspect is particularly emphasized in the implementation of the second phase related to general management plan of the Park (2012 – 2014). The following recommendations, made at the moment of the evaluation of the first phase of the Management Plan, illustrate a concern to preserve and protect for, by and with local communities.
Tourists Attractions in Kahuzi biega national park.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas
Kahuzi Biega National Park is a home to the largest population of the Eastern Lowland Gorilla, and the only place in the world where you can visit them. Gorillas are the largest of the primate species, but they are also known as the most gentle and peaceful. They are also one of the closest relatives to humans, second only to the chimpanzee.
The Eastern Lowland Gorilla is noteworthy for being larger than their western counterparts or mountain gorillas. They are the largest known primates, measuring in at 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) for males and 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) for females.
The Eastern Lowland Gorilla is a sub species closely related to the Mountain Gorilla, which resides in the mountains bordering Rwanda, Uganda and DRC. There are small differences between the two sub species. The Eastern Lowland Gorillas found in Kahuzi Biega are larger in size, with a bigger, longer face and fewer nose prints.
There are nine gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega. Two are habituated for visitors, Chimanuka and Mugaruka, both named after the dominant male silverback. Chimanuka is the silverback of a large family containing 36 members. Along with him there are 17 females and 18 infants aging from 6 months to 9 years old. The family is famous for having 4 sets of twins, a phenomenon unseen in any Eastern Gorilla populations. Mugaruka lost one hand in a poachers trap and is now a solitary male after losing his accompanying females and infants in a fight with Chimanuka.
Things to do in Kahuzi Biega National Park
The most popular safari activity in Kahuzi biega national park is Eastern lowland gorilla trekking.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking
Travelers that are planning to visit Congo should include eastern lowland gorilla trekking and its the most popular safari activity in Kahuzi biega National and the shortest Congo tour to Kahuzi biega national park is the 3 Days Lowland gorilla tour & 5 Days Eastern lowland gorilla tour & Nyiragongo Hike.Check out for unique congo safaris.
Hiking and camping
In Kahuzi biega National Park, Hiking only is done in two distinctive mountains of Mount Kahuzi & Mount Biega. Find the details below.
Mount Kahuzi
The summit of Mount Kahuzi (3308 m) offers great views of Bukavu and Lake Kivu. The ascent takes 4 hours through bamboo forests and sub alpine vegetation. The descent is approximately 3 hours.
Mount Biega
The summit of Mount Biega (2790 m) is a 6 hour round-trip hike from the main road. The vegetation is significantly different from that found on Mount Kahuzi. The park is currently working to clear a trail to the summit that was hoped to open back in 2013.