To travel is to discover and to discover is to enjoy and have unforgettable memories especially when tourists get a glimpse of the endangered lowland mountain gorillas that are known as the Grauer’s gorilla. The park’s name came into existence due to the mountain Kahuzi and mountain Biega that are found in the park. Tourists must risk being over the moon because the lowland gorillas can only be spotted in this famous national park formed of montane and thick forest while on the African continent.
The park was commissioned in 1970 and the first gorilla trekking activity was undertaken in 1973. In 1980, the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 1997 was listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites in danger. The park is found in the southern province of Kivu west of Bukavu town in D.R. Congo. It is famed for having the largest number of the eastern lowland gorillas with about 250 individuals roaming in the pristine environment of Kahuzi and Biega forests. The eastern lowland gorillas are the largest among all the four species of gorillas and commonly feed on bamboo, fruits, and other vegetable products.
Cost of trekking eastern lowland gorillas.
It doesn’t cost a pretty penny to enjoy maneuvering in the forests of the park as the gorilla permits cost USD 400 per individual.
Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega from Kigali Rwanda
Tourists who wish to visit Kahuzi Biega need to plan and find the best transportation route that can use to get to the park depending on how long they intend to be in the country. This means that gives them comfort, the cost of their choice of transport, and other factors that are considered as long as all the routes lead to Rome.
- Getting to Kahuzi-Biega by road transport.
Tourists who love adventures hit the road to this fantastic park from the countries of a thousand beautiful hills in the mighty Kigali city. Road transport is the most common and cheapest means of transport but the rewards of the scenic beauty of the surroundings, tea farms, and locals are what the tourists are not prepared for before traveling. The scenic drive gets tourists from Kigali to the Rusizi borders which takes about 6 to 7 hours. This is the commonest route to the park however there is an alternative route through Bukavu. Tourists are further driven through a journey that is one and a half minutes long from the majestic borders to the wondering gates of Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Bukavu the alternative route is shorter than the Kigali-Rusizi route, however, tourists still take about one hour and a half to get to the entrance of the park.
- Getting to Kahuzi Biega by air.
The sky is not the limit but rather the beginning of an exciting and mind-blowing journey to the wondrous sight of the greatest apes that roam on planet Earth. Tourists can aviate from Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport found on the Rusizi border. The tourists use the road from the border to the park in about one hour and thirty minutes. Tourists can fly to Goma International Airport where they can be driven to park premises.
Other tourist activities in Kahuzi Biega.
It is not all about the lowland gorilla trekking on a visit to Kahuzi-Biega National Park as visitors can also engage in other interesting activities as listed below.
Boat cruise on Lake Kivu
Cruising on the shimmering waters of Lake Kivu is an activity tourists should not miss while they are in the joy-sparking Kahuzi Biega National Park. The tourists get to enjoy both the water birds that are on the lake and the cool breezes that the lake offers.
Camping safaris.
Tourists get to spend the night in the world and get amazed by the wild night beauty that is a combination of darkness, a chilly environment and the night deep cries that are given off by the wild animals. All that is required of the tourists is to bring their own tent and sleeping materials because the food is catered for by the park on the 50 USD that is paid by the tourists each day they spend in the wild.
Wildlife viewing
The park has over 136 mammal species and it is the best destination for primates in DR. Congo. Other animals that the tourists can enjoy in the park include buffaloes, forest elephants, and olive baboons among others.
Visit the Lwiro chimpanzee sanctuary.
Lwiro is home to orphaned chimps and other primates who have lost hope due to the death of their loved ones. This chimpanzee-comforting environment is located just opposite Kahuzi-Biega hence tourists should surely pass by and show love and kindness.
Hiking Mountain Biega and Mount Kahuzi.
A hike to either of the two fantastic mountains gives tourists great views of the park’s surroundings. Tourists also get a chance to spot various animals while they are hiking. The hike is usually four hours to get to the peak and roughly three hours to descend.
