Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi biega national park; Gorilla trekking is an interesting activity that involves moving into the forest in search of the habituated gorilla family and once found spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Kahuzi Biega national park is located in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo and it’s the only destination that harbors the unique eastern lowland gorillas. Kahuzi Biega national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 due to its large rainforest and rich biodiversity of the eastern lowland gorillas. Gorilla trekking is also done in Virunga national park in Congo, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
Kahuzi Biega national park is a home of 9 gorilla families and only 5 have been habituated and are open for trekking on a daily basis. Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park starts very early in the morning with a briefing about the rules, regulations and expectations at the park headquarters. After the briefing you will be divided into groups of 8 people where each group will be allocated a habituated gorilla family to trek and a park guide who is conversant with gorilla trekking trails. Trekking of the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega national park takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas are located. During trekking you will be able to view other primate species, mammals, bird species, plant and tree species among others and once the gorillas are found, you will be allowed to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat which gives you an opportunity to learn more about their behaviors, habits, watch them carry out their daily activities like feeding, breastfeeding, grooming young ones, playing, resting, take photos and record the beautiful moments.
Cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega national park
A gorilla trekking permit is a card that is issued to any visitor above the age of 15 years allowing him or her to visit a habituated gorilla family in Kahuzi Biega national park. A gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega national park costs 400 USD per person for foreign non residents and foreign residents. The national park also offers discounted gorilla permits during the low season which costs 200 USD per person for foreign non residents and foreign residents.
How to book a gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega national park
A gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega national park can either be booked directly through Virunga reservations office by contacting the offices via email or telephone calls. You can also book a gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega national park through a trusted tour company like Achieve Global Safaris. When booking through a tour company, you will contact us with the dates when you wish to visit the eastern lowland gorillas. After contacting us, we will check for permit availability and if there are permits available, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once we receive the money, we will purchase the permits on your behalf.
Best time to go for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park can be done anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. During the dry season there is less or little rainfall in the forest therefore access roads and gorilla trekking trails will be dry and passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery which make trekking difficult.
Where to stay during your gorilla trekking safari in Kahuzi Biega national park
There are a number of accommodation facilities in Kahuzi Biega national park where you can stay during your gorilla trekking safari. The accommodations range from luxury, midrange and budget including L’Orchids Safari Club, Hotel Begonias Bukavu, Coco Lodge, Lake Side Hotel Bukavu, Exodus Bukavu, Mount Kahuzi Hotel Bukavu among others.
How to get to Kahuzi Biega national park
Kahuzi Biega national park is located in eastern part of Congo and can be accessed by road transport means which takes about 1 to 2 hours from Bukavu town and 5 to 6 hours’ drive from Goma town.
Kahuzi Biega national park can also be accessed from Rwanda where tourists will fly to Kigali international airport in Rwanda to Kamembe in Cyangugu town which takes about 6 to 7 hours’ drive and then cross the border at Le Grande Barrier into Goma and then drive to Bukavu town where you will connect to Kahuzi Biega national park
Tourists can also access Kahuzi Biega national park by water transport means in that there are speed boats and ordinary boats available to transport tourists to Kahuzi Biega national park which takes about 3 hours and 4 to 5 hours respectively.
For more information about gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park, you can reach out to us at Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for affordable gorilla trekking packages.
