What to do in Kahuzi Biega National Park besides Gorilla Trekking?
What to do in Kahuzi Biega National Park besides Gorilla Trekking?
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking is the main and popular safari activity offered to every tourist while on a Congo safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park. This exciting and adventurous activity, where visitors move on foot in lowland areas of the park in search of the habituated eastern lowland gorilla families and once found spend one hour with them in their natural environment. Kahuzi Biega National Park is a protected area located on the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. This park is one of the largest national parks in Congo, covering an area of about 6,000 square kilometers, and is located in an area consisting of lowland terrain and mountains. This park was gazetted in 1970 by Belgian wildlife conservationist and photographer Adrien Deschryver. More so, Kahuzi Biega National Park has been one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites since the 1980s. Named after the two dormant volcanoes found around the park edges – Mount Biega and Mount Kahuzi. Kahuzi Biega National Park is renowned for hosting one of the world’s remaining Eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas) which have been declared endangered by the IUCN.
Besides the great giants, the park is also home to 137 species of mammals and 350 birds dwelling in the park’s rich habitat including Mountains, forest floors, marshlands, and vast swamps. Some of the other species dwelling here include the Angolan Black Monkey Bosman’s potto, chimpanzees, Dent’s Mona, red-tailed monkeys, and the owl-faced monkey. The park also boasts animals such as bongos, forest hogs, bush buffalo, bush elephants, eastern needle-clawed galago, hylochere, Maclaud’s horseshoe ba,t and several antelope species.
What to do in Kahuzi Biega National Park besides Gorilla Trekking?
Birding excursions
For a thrilling experience during your Congo safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park, consider going bird watching. This park is a haven for birds, with a remarkable count of over 342 different species calling it home, including more than 42 that are unique to the Albertine Rift, making it a top destination for bird enthusiasts in Congo. Your birding excursions in Kahuzi Biega start with a helpful briefing from a ranger, covering important guidelines for exploring this ancient forest. While birding excursion in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you’ll have the chance to spot different bird species such as Handsome Francolin, White-naped Pigeon, White-tailed Ant Thrush, Red-throated Alethe, African Dusky Flycatcher, Slender-billed Starling, Mountain Thrush Babbler, African Yellow White-eye, Eastern Mountain Greenbul, Eastern Mountain Greenbul, Ruwenzori Double-collared Sunbird, Golden-winged Sunbird, Rufous-vented Paradise-flycatcher, Ruwenzori Batis and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater among others.
Visit to Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary
The Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a unique refuge created to protect chimpanzees and other primates who need a safe place to live, having been rescued or abandoned. Started in 2002, the sanctuary gives these animals a home, especially those who can no longer live in the wild. Conveniently located a short 4-kilometer drive from Kahuzi Biega National Park, it provides visitors with a chance to see interesting animals. Visitors to the sanctuary can see chimpanzees and other animals like blue monkeys, white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, and olive baboons. During your visit, you can do things like interact with the chimpanzees and even assist in their feeding, providing an excellent way to learn about these incredible animals and help in their care.
Guided nature walks
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Kahuzi Biega National Park, a vibrant tropical rainforest teeming with life. On a guided nature walk, you’ll have the chance to encounter fascinating creatures like the black and white colobus, plentiful blue monkeys, the unique grey-cheeked mangabey and even olive baboons. You’ll also have the chance to spot different bird species such as the African Green Broadbill, Congo Peafowl, Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, and others as well as different natural fully grown tree species and others. Always make sure you have a park ranger accompanying you while exploring the forest for your safety and to avoid getting lost in the dense wilderness.
Mountain hiking
Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to three remarkable mountains offering a memorable hiking safari for visitors. Such as Mountain Bugulumiza, Mountain Kahuzi, and Mountain Biega. One of the most popular hiking safaris is the Hike up to the summit of Mount Kahuzi, this hike offers breathtaking views of the town of Bukavu and Lake Kivu. This hike reaches about 3,308 meters and takes about four hours while climbing down takes three hours. As you male your way up and then down, the scenery changes, passing through areas with plants found at high altitudes, and also bamboo forest where you can see and hear birds and other animals.
Mount Biega is another option, standing at 2790 meters tall. You should plan about six hours for a round-trip hike up and back down. The types of plants you see on Mount Biega are distinct from the ones on Mount Kahuzi. If you’re looking for something else, consider Mount Bugulumiza. At 2400 meters high it offers great views of the surrounding landscape including the mountains Biega and Kahuzi as well as the vast tropical rain forests of the park.
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife viewing is another exciting activity to participate in while on a Congo safari in this park. this activity is conducted at a scheduled time such as morning and evening. While on your tour, you will have an opportunity to sight different wildlife such as bongos, forest hogs, bush buffalo, bush elephant, Alexander’s bush squirrel, Aquatic civet, eastern needle-clawed galago, giant genet, Maclaud’s horseshoe bat, Ruwenzori least otter shrew, Thomas’ tree squirrel and the mount Kahuzi climbing mouse. You’ll also spot different playful primates like Angolan Black Monkeys, Bosman’s potto, chimpanzees, Dent’s Mona, red tailed monkeys and the owl-faced monkey as well as bird species flying from above
When Is the Best Time to Book Safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park experiences a tropical equatorial climate largely characterized by high and low humidity with high or low temperatures all year through. However, the ideal time to book a safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park is during the dry season, which runs from June, July, August, and September, and then December, January a February. During this time, it is easier to walk through the lush forest which is drier compared to the rainy season. Tourists should visit the park expecting rain at any time of the year. The rainy season transforms the park into perfect green with a lot of food which migratory birds love.
What is the cost of the Gorilla Permit for the Eastern Lowland Gorillas of Kahuzi Biega National Park?
The cost of gorilla trekking permits in Kahuzi Biega National Park is $ 400 per person per trek for foreign non-residents, $ 350 for foreign residents, and $ 250 per person for East African citizens. These permits are restricted to persons above 15 years to persons 85 years depending on the fitness levels. The cost of the gorilla permit for Kahuzi Biega covers park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, one hour with the lowland gorillas, and others.
How to get to Kahuzi Biega National Park
Getting to Kahuzi Biega National Park in eastern Congo is possible through a few different travel routes. The simplest way is by road, as the park is situated roughly 40 kilometers west of Bukavu town, a journey of about an hour to an hour and a half by car to the park’s main office. Another option is to travel from Kigali, Rwanda, a drive that takes roughly 6 to 7 hours. This route involves going through Cyangugu, crossing Le Grande Barrier to reach Goma, and then driving on to Bukavu before finally arriving at Kahuzi Biega National Park. Kahuzi Biega National Park can also be accessed by air transport means where by visitors will book charter flights from Kigali airport to Kamembe airport and then connect to Bukavu town and to the park headquarters.
