In the thrilling and daring sport known as “Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking,” tourists travel into the lowlands of Kahuzi Biega National Park in search of habituated eastern lowland gorilla families. Once they are located, they spend an hour with the primates in their natural habitat.
One of the biggest protected areas is Kahuzi Biega National Park, which is situated near the Rwandan border in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, south of Lake Kivu. The great biodiversity of Kahuzi Biega National Park, which includes the endangered eastern lowland gorillas and volcanic mountains Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, among others, led to its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Experience trekking with Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park
The largest of the four gorilla subspecies, the eastern lowland gorilla, also called the Grauers gorilla, is restricted to Kahuzi Biega National Park. Only two of the more than nine gorilla families in the national park are habituated and accessible to tourists every day. The Eastern lowland gorilla journey begins early in the morning with a briefing on the guidelines that must be adhered to.
Following the lecture, a park guide who is knowledgeable about the many routes will accompany you as you begin your jungle adventure. Other primate species, including red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, many bird species, and vegetation, can be seen while trekking with the eastern lowland gorillas.
Once the eastern lowland gorillas have been located, you will be permitted to spend an hour with them in their natural environment. This will allow you to observe how they go about their daily lives, including feeding, nursing, playing, and grooming their young. You will also be able to take pictures and document the amazing moments to share with people back home after the safari.
The price of a hiking permit for eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park
For international non-residents, a gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega National Park costs $400 USD per person. During the off-peak season, the park offers a discounted gorilla trekking permit of $200 USD per person. In comparison to other gorilla locations such as Uganda, where a gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD per person for foreign non-residents, and Rwanda, where it costs 1,500 USD per person for foreign non-residents, the gorilla trekking permit in Kahuzi Biega National Park is the least expensive.
Since gorilla trekking permits in Kahuzi Biega National Park sell out rapidly, especially during the busiest months of June through September and December through February, reservations should be made three to four months prior to the trekking date.
The ideal time to visit Kahuzi Biega National Park for eastern lowland gorilla trekking
While it is possible to trek eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park at any time of year, the ideal time to do so is during the dry season, which runs from June to February. walking paths will be passable during the dry season because the national park receives less rainfall than during the wet season, when the trails become muddy and slick, making walking challenging.
Accommodations in Kahuzi Biega National Park for trekking in the Eastern Lowlands
There are several lodging options in Kahuzi Biega National Park where you can spend the safari. Exodus Bukavu, Hotel Begonias Bukavu, Lakeside Hotel Bukavu, Coco Lodge, Mount Kahuzi Hotel Bukavu, and Orchids Safari Club are just a few of the affordable, mid-range, and upscale lodging options available.
How Kahuzi Biega National Park is accessible
The eastern portion of Congo is home to Kahuzi Biega National Park, which is reachable by road. The park headquarters is 40 kilometers west of Bukavu town and takes approximately one to one and a half hours to drive to.
It takes roughly 6 to 7 hours to drive from Kigali, Rwanda, to the park. From Kigali, you can drive to Cyangugu, over the Le Grande Barrier to Goma, then drive to Bukavu town, and finally arrive to Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Charter flights from Kigali airport to Kamembe airport, which link to Bukavu town and the park headquarters, are another way for visitors to reach Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to two gorilla species found nowhere else together: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas, Gorilla beringei graueri) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Virunga National Park – Africa’s oldest national park, established in 1925 – covers 7,900 km² of remarkable ecological diversity, from the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Massif to the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains and the tropical lowland forests of the Congo Basin. The park is also home to hippos, elephants, okapis, and the entire cast of Congo rainforest wildlife.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas – A Unique Encounter
The eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) is the world’s largest subspecies of gorilla, with silverbacks weighing up to 220kg. Found only in the DRC, Grauer’s gorillas are considerably rarer than mountain gorillas – their population has declined by more than 70% since the 1990s due to conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. Kahuzi-Biega National Park in South Kivu offers the only reliable trekking experience with habituated Grauer’s gorilla families.
A gorilla permit in the DRC costs USD 400 per person – significantly cheaper than Rwanda (USD 1,500) or Uganda (USD 800). The experience is raw, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable for travellers seeking something genuinely uncommon.
Practical Information for DRC Gorilla Trekking
Getting to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega
The most common entry point to eastern DRC is via Kigali, Rwanda. Goma – the gateway to Virunga National Park – is just 80km from Kigali. Direct flights from Nairobi and Kampala also serve Goma. Bukavu (gateway to Kahuzi-Biega) is accessible from Goma by road (3-4 hours) or by light aircraft.
Is it safe to trek gorillas in the DRC?
Security in eastern DRC is complex and fluctuates. Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega have experienced periods of closure due to armed group activity. Always check current security conditions with your tour operator and your government’s travel advisory before planning a DRC gorilla trek. Reputable operators with established local security networks are essential.
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