Kahuzi Biega National Park

Kahuzi Biega national park is found in the eastern region of DR. Congo, it is the second national park to attract the most visitors in the country after Virunga national park. Kahuzi Biega park is also among the few destinations where one can go for eastern lowland gorilla trekking. There are over 3,800 eastern lowland gorillas in the world and the larger number are found in Kahuzi-Biega national park in DR. Congo according to the recent gorilla census report.

The name Kahuzi-Biega got from the 2 mountains and they are known as Kahuzi and Biega. Mount Kahuzi stands at an elevation of 3,308m above sea level which is the tallest than mount Biega at an elevation of 2,790m above sea level.

Kahuzi-Biega national park covering an area of 6,000 square kilometers which stretches to the Congo Basin next Itebero-Utu and Bukavu in the northwestern province of Congo. This is the biggest national park in the country than others. With about 349 bird species, over 250 eastern lowland gorillas, 136 mammal species, and 1,178 plant species.

Kahuzi-Biega national park was created in 1970 by Adrien Deschryver to protect and conserve the Grauer’s gorilla and cover 60000 square kilometers. In 1973 is when the first lowland gorilla trekking was carried out in Kahuzi-Biega national park, this is the reason why it is among the top destinations for eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Africa. It was listed as the UNESCO world heritage site in the 1980s due to its rich biodiversity of the rain forest and also to protect and conserve lowland gorillas from danger.

Safari activities inside Kahuzi national park.

Eastern lowland gorillas are also called Grauer’s gorilla, and it is the largest of all the gorillas species characterized by stocky body, short muzzle, and huge handa.  Majorly they depend on books like other gorilla subspecies, eastern lowland gorillas also depend on fruit plus other herbaceous materials.  Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega national park gives an opportunity to see both mountain and lowland gorillas in Africa.

Kahuzi –Biega National Park is blessed with many tourists activities offered to visitors and these include;

Eastern lowland gorilla trekking.

Kahuzi-Biega national park is one of the gorilla’s national park in Democratic republic of Congo. However the park doesn’t have the endangered mountain gorillas, it harbors the so called lowland gorillas. At the moment there are 2 habituated eastern gorilla families in Kahuzi-Biega that are available for tourism and these include Mpungwe and Chimanuka gorilla groups.

Chimpanzee Habituation at Lwiro sanctuary

Chimpanzee habituation at Lwiro Sanctuary has a wonderful experience that you cannot miss out on your safari tour in DR. Congo. The activity gives you chance to explore more about the history of these primates. Permits for chimpanzee habituation at Lwiro sanctuary is 40USD per person.

Climbing mountain Kahuzi and Biega

Climbing in Kahuzi-Biega national park is too interesting since the park has two mountains. Hiking safari in Kahuzi –Biega national park can be done at the Mitumba Mountain through hiking in the thick forest vegetation and see a lot of wildlife, beautiful views and among others. The hiking permit for Kahuzi and Biega costs 100USD per person per hike .you can also hike the Kibatu waterfalls which cost 25USD per person.

Camping safaris in Kahuzi-Biega national park.

Camping is so interesting in Kahuzi-Biega national park. It gives a great chance to soak in the beautiful scenery at the park. A permit for camping in Kahuzi-Biega national park costs 50USD per person including guide fees and food. However, tourists must bring their camping gear such as sleeping bags and tents or you can hire them from the park headquarters which costs 5USD per person every night.

Community cultural tours.

After gorilla trekking, spare some time and do a community cultural tour around the park. Community cultural tour is among the amazing tourist activities in DR. Congo. You will get a chance to visit local communities and interact with them and understand more about their daily lifestyles as well as participating in their performances like singing traditional songs, dances, playing games, storytelling, and many more.

Boat cruise on Lake Kivu.

A boat cruise on Lake Kivu is one of the top tourist attractions which attracts most of the tourists in the park. Boat riding on Lake Kivu gives you a big opportunity to see a lot of wildlife animals and various bird species on the banks of the lake. Therefore on your safari in Kahuzi-Biega national park do not miss out to do a boat cruise which costs only 50USD per person.

Bird watching

Kahuzi-Biega national park is among the best destinations not only in DR. Congo but in the entire world where bird lovers can go and enjoy one of the adventure activities in the park. In Kahuzi-Biega, there are over 349 bird species. Some of the bird species one can see while on birding safari in the park includes; yellow-crested helmet shrike, Ruwenzori Turaco, the Congo pea fowl, Rockefeller’s sunbird, the trogons, and among others.

When to visit Kahuzi-Biega national park.

The best time to visit Kahuzi-Biega national park is one of the major factors one should consider when choosing travel dates. There are two seasons in the Democratic Republic of Congo that is the rainy season and the dry season. However, the wet season is separated by the driest month in between which makes two wet seasons that are from October-November and that one from March-May. Kahuzi-Biega national park is done throughout the year but the best recommended time is during the dry season which is from January, February, June, August, and September when the hiking trails are not too slippery and muddy. However, you should keep in your mind that the park is found in a tropical rain forest so it can rain any time of the year. Therefore you are advised to come when well prepared for any tourism safari into the park at all times to avoid inconveniences by carrying hiking boots, waterproof rain jacket,  long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, hat, packed lunch, and energy drinks and among others.

Safari lodges to stay while at Kahuzi-Biega national park.

Accommodation facilities near Kahuzi-Biega national park where one can spend his/her night are located in Bukavu town. There are also camping sites at the park headquarters. In case you want to have some shopping to use while at the accommodation facilities, the you need to buy them from Bukavu town which is the closet city around the park.

L’orchids safari club is the best place for luxurious tourists. The hotel is located near Lake Kivu which allows us to welcome you in an exceptional environment. It features both modern and traditional African styles. The hotel also has a bar stocked with all types of drinks which are already to sever you like beers, champagne, wines, and a small restaurant at all hours. Outside the hotel, you will enjoy the beautiful views of the flower gardens, Lake Kivu, and others.

Coco Lodge is mid-range and it has 8 rooms equipped with double beds that are furnished in the theme of Africa with showers, bathrooms, toilets, and televisions. The lodge features including the restaurant, and it provides the transportation at the reduced prices including helping you to process the gorilla trekking permits to visitors interested in visiting democratic republic of Congo

Exodus bukavu budget, this is a good place for budget tourists can seek overnight stay when arranging for the next day gorilla trekking tour to Kahuzi-Biega national park. Other activities to do while staying here are bird watching, nature walks, and others.

Lake Side Hotel Bukavu is found in Bukavu city near Lake Kivu. it has rooms which are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, wardrobes, free Wi-Fi and others, the hotel offers restaurant and bar with different drinks which are all ready to serve you. It has 10 rooms that are suitable for families, business conference groups, holidaymakers, honeymooners, and tourist groups. Activities to do while staying here are visiting Kahuzi-Biega national park for gorilla trekking, nature walks, bird watching, community and cultural tour, and among others.

Other safari lodges are Mount Kahunzi Hotel Bakavu, Hotel Begonias Bukavu, and Elizabeth Hotel Bukavu where you can seek overnight and complete your gorilla safari tour in the park.

Please note, all accommodation and safari lodges in Congo allow payments in Dollars that are from 2009 and above.

Getting to Kahuzi-Biega national park in DR. Congo.

Kahuzi-Beiga can be found in the Democratic republic of Congo and it is the second popular national park after Virunga National Park. Kahuzi-Biega national park is among the few destinations where eastern gorillas are found. The park can be reached by air, road and water transport but the most common transport means are road and air transport. From Goma town is about 230 kilometers which are like 5-6 hours of driving to reach the park.

You can also access Kuhuzi-Biega national park from Rwanda by road which takes about 9-10 hours from Kigali city. Tourists who want to fly or those with short time, you can opt to fly from Kigali international airport in Rwanda up to Goma international airport in DR. Congo and then drive for just 2 hours to the park.