Kahuzi Biega National Park: Budget Eastern Lowland Gorilla Tours
Kahuzi Biega National Park is located after Bukavu Town offering Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Congo. Kahuzi Biega National Park is your Best Destination to enjoy Gorilla trekking in DR Congo.
kahuzi-Biega National Park is a reserved safe guarded area located west of Bukavu town in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo along the western bank of Lake Kivu and Rwandan border also a UNESCO world heritage site.
It was founded in 1970 by a photographer and conservationist from Belgium called Adrien Deschryver and obtained its name from two dormant volcanoes i.e Mount Kauzi and Mount Biega that are found around the park.
The park occupies an area of 6,000 square kilometres (2,300 sq mi) hence among the vast National parks in the country with both a mountainous and lowland terrain that inhabits the rare species of Eastern lowland Gorilla also known as the (Gorilla beringei graueri).
Climate of the Park
A minor area of the park is found in the Mitumba Mountain range of the Albertine Rift situated in the Great rift valley where as the large part is found in the lowland terrain. The park also receives average amounts of rainfall approximately 1,800 mm (71 in) with high temperatures of 18 °C (64 °F) and the minimum is 10.4 °C (50.7 °F).
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking is the most prominent Safari activity carried out in the park and these
have blackish hair/fur. The fur is always very thick due to their habitat which is very cold and mountainous hence forth making them the biggest of all.
There are adult males called silver backs with unique silver hair on their backs always leading the rest followed by adult females then black backs-both females and males that leave the group when grown, young Gorillas that are later on followed by infants/ juveniles.
These live in groups of 6-12 and the silver back makes prior decisions on what should be done for example when it comes to eating, where to move and rest at night because it is his responsibility to ensure that the group is safe and well protected from any harm.
These are very timid animals though lively when it is day and when night falls every gorilla builds a nest of leaves/plants fibre in which they sleep and mothers share nests with the infants.
Things to Do in Kahuzi Biega National Park DR Congo
Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking
This is the most popular safari activity carried out in the park and involves travelers to transfer from one place to another in the natural forest searching for the rare species of Eastern Lowland Gorillas in their natural vegetation habitat. You will transfer for a period of 3-5 hours and when you meet them, you will stay in their presence for 1-2 hours taking photos to keep for memories. You will transfer in groups of 6-8 with a skilled ranger guide who will inform you about the various Gorilla individuals.
Volcano Hiking
Kahuzi Biega National park also offers remarkable Volcano Climbing Adventures as you hike/ climb Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biege situated at the center of Kahuzi Biega National Park. For all hikers around the world should not miss out in this remarkable adventure to get to the top of these Volcanoes.
Bird watching
Birding/Bird watching is another safari activity travelers can take on while at Kahuzi Biega National park as the park comprises of numerous vibrant bird species that can be watched by all birders all over the world. There are about 342 bird species, 42 endemic to the park with the prominent birds that can be seen being the Yellow Crested Helmet-Shrike, African Green Broad Bill and the Congo Peafowl etc.
Hiking & Nature Walks
Hiking & Nature walks in Kahuzi Biega National Park happen along the various trails in the forest vegetation around the park. The hikes proceed through bamboo forests and swamp lands as well as to the Tshibati Waterfalls and the other trail is Marais Musisi Trail.