Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is located in the eastern part of the country between two volcanic mountains such as Kahuzi and Biega in the province of Bukavu and it drive its name from them. Kahuzi Biega National Park is the one of the natural homes of the eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorillas) and the only protected area where these species can be trekked by tourists.
The park was declared a UNESCO World heritage site because of its unique biodiversity and for being one of the remaining places of the biggest gorilla species on earth. However, the number of eastern lowland gorillas in the park is decreasing due to diseases, civil wars and poaching.
The park is home to primates like the star Eastern lowland gorillas, cercopiuthic of Hoest, red tailed monkey, vervet monkeys, chimpanzees, olive baboons, and black and white colobus. Kahuzi Biega National Park has over 300 species of mammals including forest elephants, bongo antelopes, bush buffaloes and bush squirrels among others. The park is also a home to over 349 different species species of birds such as Congo peafowl, great blue Turaco, yellow-crested helmet-strike, Grauer’s broadbill, yellow- bailed barbet, and eastern bronze-naped pigeon among others
Apart from eastern lowland gorillas tracking, tourists have a lot to see and do while in Kahuzi Biega National Park for example birding, viewing waterfalls, small primate viewing, climbing the two volcanic mountains of Kahuzi and Biega as well as Bukavu city tours
Activities to do while in Congo wildlife safari in Kahuzi-Beige National Park
Eastern lowland gorilla tracking
Eastern lowland gorilla tracking is a unique and thrilling wildlife experience offered in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Eastern lowland gorillas tracking is the highlight to every trip to the park. THz Park is a home to a large population of the eastern low and gorillas. On your trip to Kahuzi-Biega national park expect to see the eastern lowland gorillas known as the Grauer’s gorillas. The park has a number of habituated lowland gorillas. Lowland gorilla tracking just like any tourism activity, the activity starts in the morning with the briefing at the parks office bout the gorilla tracking gorilla guidelines including the rules and regulations to the followed while in the jungles of the rainforest in search for this fascinating primates. After the briefing, you will be assigned the habituated gorilla family with the experienced park rangers who will lead you throe the forest since this fascinating gorillas do live deep in the forest. During the tracking, you will also encounter with others primates such as chimpanzees and other monkeys, birds such as Dushy-long-tailed cuckoo, Eastern bronze-naped pigeon, and yellow-crested helmet-shrike among others. Tracking this captivating primates is quite difficult but it’s a rewarding adventure experience and it takes one about 5 to 6 hours in the jungle .for one to participate in this thrilling activity should have valid permit that allows she/he to track them issued by the Institut Congolese Pour la Conservation de la nature (ICCU) AT $400 per person.
Mountain climbing
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is another hiking destination for you while on your Congo safari. The Park is home to 3 dormant volcanic mountains but the most popular mountains are Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega that offer an exciting experience. Hikers who hike up to the top of mount Kahuzi gets a great chance to see Lake Kivu, Bukavu port. Hiking on mount Kahuzi take about 3to 4 hours for one to complete and 4 to 5 hours in Biega Mountain, you can as well opt and hike mount Bugulumiza for about 3 to 4 hours, and the hiking permit for any one of these three mountains is sold at US$100 per person.
Tshibati waterfall hike.
Tshibati waterfall hike is one of the enthralling attraction in the park that should not be miss while on your Congo safari in Kahuzi-Biega national park .the Park is a home of 3 beautiful Waterfalls but the mostly hiked is Tshibati waterfall. The park ranger will lead on the Tshibati waterfalls trail through swampy vegetation, bamboo forest up to the 3 wonderful waterfalls. While hiking to the waterfalls, you will also get a chance of encountering with other wildlife species on your joinery like chimpanzees and many monkey species as well as different kinds of birds.
Birding
Birding in Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a wonderful experience for birdwatchers and nature lover. The park is home to over 330 bird species, including several endemic and rare bird species Bird watching activities in Kahuzi Biega national park are usually done with a help of a guide along different birding trails. The activity usually starts with a briefing from the park offices where birders get to learn about the rules and regulations of this activity. While in your Congo birding safari in the park, you will get a chance to spot some of the birds such as African green broadbill, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Congo peafowl, and the yellow-crested helmet-shrike among others
Cultural tours
Kahuzi-Biega National Park offers exceptional opportunity to very visitor in the park with a chance to explore various villages around the park. The park is surrounded by many exciting villages including the Great Pygmies communities who have lived in the forested areas of the region for long. Cultural tours in Kahuzi Biega National Park offer visitors the opportunity to learn about the traditional way of life, customs, and beliefs of the local communities. Visitors can participate in guided tours with experienced guides who are knowledgeable about the local culture and traditions as well as participating in the preparation of the local foods, craft making, hunting, fruit gathering and many more.
Accommodation facilities in Kahuzi-Beige National Park
The Park offers a variety of accommodation options for visitors, ranging from basic campsites to comfortable lodges such as Tchegera island lodge, Kahuzi Biega camp, Lwiro primate, Bukavu hotels, lodge des Mont’s Kahuzi, Orchids safari club, Bukavu guesthouse and Nyungwe Forest Lodge among others