KAHUZI –BIEGA NATIONAL PARK, HOME OF THE EASTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS IN CONGO
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located in the Eastern side of Democratic Republic of Congo, 40 km away from Bukavu town in the southern province near the beautiful Lake Kivu, at the western boarder of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo
It was gazetted to conserve the world’s largest species of gorillas (Grauer’s Gorilla) in 1970, and this destination still remains the only area in the world to spot these gorilla species. This park derived its name from the two beautiful dormant volcanoes that is Mt. Kahuzi and Biega covering the length of 3,308 to 2,790m meters. This park is a refuge for endangered wild life species.
And it’s under the management and control of Wildlife Conservation Society. Kahuzi-Biega national park is located about 30 kilometers from Bukavu town, and getting to the park takes only 1-2hours to access into this park by road and about 45mins by air.
The eastern lowland gorillas are the well-known roaming primates in Democratic Republic of Congo in the south of Lake Kivu, Uganda and Rwanda also has this same amazing creatures. This positions gorilla trekking safaris in the central Africa to be earning the best remarkable safaris experience, one will never forget while on safari to get the best gorilla trekking experience and never to lag behind visiting this amazing park, is one of the best wildlife adventure in the world. With remarkable natural endowments, Central Africa is blessed with numerous attractions and because of this; it has made Democratic Republic of Congo to be ranked the top virgin adventure holiday destination because of its amazing tourist’s attractions such as the endangered Eastern Lowland Gorillas, the Okapis and Mountain Gorillas.
The Eastern Lowland Gorilla also called Grauer’s Gorilla is the largest of all the four subspecies of gorillas distinguished by its large hand and short muzzle and stocky body. Despite the size of these lowland gorillas, it survives mainly on herbaceous materials and fruits just like any other gorilla subspecies. The gorilla trekking safaris in the Kahuzi-Biega in Congo gives you an unforgettable adventure as you encounter with the few remaining lowland gorillas in Africa. However, there are only two gorilla families conserved for trekking by the travelers who would love to adventure into the jungle.
Besides tracking the lowland gorillas, the park also offers a number of activities to the tourists who hope to travel to this spectacular park, being the home for 135 other species of mammals that include over 12 primate species including the eastern chimpanzees, baboons, red tailed monkey, blue monkey and many others. The mammals that can be seen in this park include the forest elephants, leopards, civets, many antelopes and duikers and otter.
The park has got 336 bird species making it a suitable destination for travelers who would love to do birding these birds are endemic to the Albertine Rift, some birds found here include the Rockefeller’s sunbird. Grauer’s broadbill, Ruwenzori Turaco, and Shelley’s crimsoning.
Other amazing species are the 69 dangerous reptiles and 44 amphibian species, a trip to the Kahuzi-Biega will truly live you with an unforgettable experience.