Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park is remarkably unforgettable on-foot-walk primate adventure you should consider a must-do while on Congo safari. It rewards holidaymakers a magical encounter with the Eastern Lowland gorillas while in the wild. A close encounter with the Lowland gorillas, a sub-species of the Eastern gorilla is of no doubt a lifetime experience. Unlike visits to see the mountain gorillas that have been popularized, less people know that you can also get upclose encounters with the eastern lowland gorillas.
The Eastern Lowland gorillas are found in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Maiko National Park. However you can only go gorilla trekking in the Kahuzi Biega National Park, an expansive rain-forest park occupying 6000sq.kms of land area in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Elsewhere, the eastern lowland gorillas are found in Tayna Gorilla Reserve, Usala Forest, Itombwe Massif and Maiko National Park of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Visiting the Eastern Lowland Gorillas at Kahuzi Biega is an experience that many tourists call unforgettable.
Once in Bukavu, our reservation office located at 185 Avenue Patrice Lumumba, will provide you with all the useful information to plan your gorilla safari to Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Upon your arrival at Tshivanga Headquarters (1 hour drive from the Center of Bukavu), you will be welcomed by the Visits Delegate, who will give you a presentation of the visit (information and recommendations) and will direct you to the Gorilla family. to visit. While waiting for the departure (the time that the trackers precisely locate the family of gorillas), you will be able to contemplate the peripheral landscapes of the park with a view of Lake Kivu, or even, if you wish, have your photograph taken with our gorilla statue. .
During this visit, wearing surgical masks – they are provided to you – is mandatory to prevent zoonoses. The walking and tracking time naturally depends on the location of the gorillas on the day of your visit (remember that these animals are absolutely wild!). Once in front of the gorillas, a minimum safety distance of 8 meters between you and any individual in the group must be scrupulously respected.
When you enter the “territory” of the gorillas, you will certainly be greeted in a rather “manly” way by the silverback, accompanied by its females and juveniles. Once he has made sure that you do not represent a threat, he will certainly grant you a short hour of presence: this is the beginning of your visit.
Don’t forget either: although totally wild, the animals that you will observe in their natural environment have sometimes seen more tourists than you have seen gorillas (…): stay relaxed, avoid any abrupt gesture, speak softly and in a low voice, and above all, stay humble.
Impact of Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking in DR Congo
Like many gorilla trekking areas in East Africa where the locals get 10-20% of the gorilla permit fees currently, Kahuzi Biega receives the least number of Clients in a year compared to Uganda and Rwanda so most funds go directly to protecting the endangered Eastern Lowland Gorillas as the park hardly makes money from the gorilla tourism.
How to Plan a Visit to the Eastern Lowland Gorilla
Visiting the Eastern Lowland Gorillas at Kahuzi Biega is a truly unforgettable experience.
Booking can be made through a local tour operator.
Just before the entrance to the park is the Tshivanga Visitor Centre. You will be greeted by park staff that will assist with payment and registration. Make sure you take a photo with the large gorilla statue while waiting for trackers locate the gorilla family. Once the location is confirmed you will begin to drive into the park.
Your guide will give you a short introduction before starting the forest hike. He will cover the history, geography and some facts about the gorilla family you will be visiting. The guide will also provide you with advice on how to behave when with the gorillas.
Following the briefing you begin your journey along narrow jungle paths to meet the gorillas. Masks are worn to prevent gorillas from catching human disease. The length of this hike depends on the location of the gorillas. Some days they can be a 10-15 minute walk from the road, other days it can take over an hour of walking to reach the gorillas.
When you enter the territory of the gorillas you will be greeted by the enormous male silverback, making sure you are not a threat. After he accepts your presence a magical time observing the gorillas will begin, which is truly a once in a lifetime experience.
What to expect on Eastern Lowland gorilla trek in DR Congo
There are several reasons the Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla Beringei Graueri) is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. One is that their habitat has been cleared for farms and ranches, and the mines in the area which has caused severe degradation, Deforestation in this area allows for the trade of bush meat and even more poaching. Bush meat hunting and timber harvesting in the western lowland gorillas habitat have negatively affected the probability of its survival.
The western lowland gorilla is considered to be critically endangered by the IUCN. Generally, the gorilla trekking experience is easy since Kahuzi Biega is a low land forest and the gorilla movements are really not that bad and you should expect easy gorilla treks during your visit to DR Congo however the road conditions in the area make it more of an expedition than a safari.
The actual encounter with Eastern Lowland gorillas in DR Congo
After hours of driving from Bukavu to the park headquarters for gorilla briefing, you will be led by the experienced rangers to see the family of the Eastern Lowland gorillas and this is made special by Coming face to face with one of Africa’s biggest species of Habituated Eastern Lowland gorilla is considered as one of the greatest wildlife encounters in Africa, despite the big size the Eastern Lowland are pretty easy going and they will continue to eat, groom as you photograph the gorillas, the hikes are pretty easy.
Briefing before departure to the gorilla trekking
Unlike gorilla treks in other countries, there is no rush at Kahuzi-Biéga. Since there is a significant probability you are the only traveler visiting the national park, everything can be done at your own pace. You can decide how long you want to trek and make many stops. Unfortunately, time with the gorillas is not negotiable (1 hour). Still, this was something I expected from the beginning and didn’t affect my experience.
Once with the gorillas, regulations are basically the same as in any other gorilla trekking worldwide. You can’t get closer than 8 meters from the animals, you need to wear a disposable mask during the viewing, and you can’t eat or drink anything while spending time with the gorillas.
Lowland gorilla permits
To go gorilla trekking in the Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park, all interested visitors must have valid gorilla permits. Permits for lowland gorilla trekking like mountain gorilla trekking in the Virunga cost US$400 per person. Holidaymakers can have their Eastern Lowland gorilla permits booked through a trusted ground tour operator/company in the DR Congo or directly contact the reservation team from Kahuzi-Biega National Park authorities.
Etiquette for Lowland gorilla trekking Congo
- To be allowed to trek Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega, you must be above 15 years.
- When you come across Lowland gorillas in the wild, maximum of 1 hour shall be allowed for you to enjoy with these creatures, take pictures and observe all their daily behaviors.
- A maximum of 8 visitors are officially permitted to track one habituated Lowland gorilla family.
- A distance of 8-10m should be observed all times from Lowland gorillas.
- Camera free from flashlight is accepted for photo taking.
- Don’t leave any rubbish while on Lowland gorilla trekking.
- You can be allowed to trek Lowland gorillas in Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega if you aren’t sick/ill.
- Covering your mouth is a must if you want to cough and nose when in need to sneeze while on Eastern Lowland gorilla trek in Congo.
What to pack
Essentials to consider on your Kahuzi-Biega Lowland gorilla safari include yellow fever certificate, sun hat, valid gorilla permit, waterproof daypack, camera, long-sleeved shirt, sunglasses, gardening gloves, poncho/rain jacket, first aid kit or medical kit, trousers, sweater, insect repellents.
Best time to go Lowland gorilla safari in Kahuzi-Biega
Lowland gorilla holidays in Kahuzi-Biega can be planned at any month of the year considering the favorable weather and climatic conditions in the park. However, the dry season is the best time to enjoy a Lowland gorilla experience in Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega. This means, your Lowland gorilla trekking safari must be planned from June to September or December to February. Trekking Lowland gorillas during the rainy months (March to May/October to November) is slightly challenging due to slippery steep slopes.
Accommodation
The lodging facilities in and around are few but the notable ones include Exodus Bukavu Hotel, Coco Lodge, and L’Orchids Safari Club.
Conclusion
Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park is the best alternative for travelers who love seeing Eastern Gorillas. Although Kahuzi Biega national park is dominated by montane tropical forest, trekking a habituated gorilla family does take longer hours of walking and there is little hiking of the rolling hills of the park.