Kahuzi Beiga National Park

The Kahuzi Biega national park is the earliest safari destination in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is located near the city of Bukavu on the western shore of Lake Kivu. Kahuzi Biega national park is one of the most well-known locations for Eastern lowland gorillas in all of East Africa; as a result, the park attracts a large number of tourists from around the globe who wish to observe these unique apes. Kahuzi Biega national park is comprised of two extinct volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, from which the park’s name is derived. The park’s unique vegetation cover consists of montane forests, which are home to eastern lowland gorillas, making gorilla trekking the most popular safari activity in the park.

Attractions in Kahuzi Biega National Park. 

Eastern lowland gorillas.

Eastern lowland gorillas are the most popular attraction in Kahuzi Biega national park, where travelers on Congo safaris typically go gorilla tracking safari. Compared to the mountain gorillas, which are much more appealing to travelers, these species are large and incredibly attractive.

Other wildlife species that entice tourists to Kahuzi Biega national park include the bush buffalo, acquatic civet, monkeys, antelopes, bush elephant, owl-faced monkey, and olive baboons.

Bird species. 

The Kahuzi Biega national park is a birder’s sanctuary with over 349 species of birds. African Green Broadbill, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Yellow-crested Helmet Shrike, Ruwenzori Turacos, sunbirds, trogons and Congo Peafowl are among the bird species in the park that are on the IUNC Red list of endangered species. Other species of birds present in Kahuzi Biega national park include Africa broadbills, and Rockefellers.

Mount Kahuzi.

Mount Kahuzi is one of the two dormant volcanoes in the national park Kahuzi Biega. The mountain, which rises 3,317 metres above sea level and is one of the park’s most alluring features, provides visitors with an extraordinary hiking excursion.

Mount Biega.

Mount Biega is also an extinct volcano that rose 2,790 metres above sea level and is located in the Mitumba mountain range. Mount Biega is an attractive feature of the national park Kahuzi Biega.

Lwiro sanctuary. 

 Lwiro sanctuary is one of the attractions in Kahuzi Biega national park, which is adjacent to the chimpanzee park. On a safari to Kahuzi Biega national park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, numerous tourists visit the sanctuary to observe the chimpanzees, particularly the orphaned chimpanzees.

Activities to do in Kahuzi Biega national park.

Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking. 

Eastern lowland gorilla trekking is the most popular safari activity in Kahuzi Biega national park, where travelers have the opportunity to observe eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. The park attracts visitors who wish to observe eastern lowland gorillas, which are distinct from mountain gorillas.

Eastern lowland gorilla trekking safari in Kahuzi Biega national park begins with a briefing at the park headquarters on the rules and regulations that must be followed while gorilla trekking in the park. After the briefing, you will be separated into groups, each of which will be assigned a park guide who will lead you through the jungle’s trekking trails in pursuit of eastern lowland gorillas. As you seek for gorillas, you are able to observe various forms of biodiversity, which makes your gorilla trekking safari experience the most incredible.

 Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking in the park takes between 30 minutes and eight hours, depending on the location of the eastern lowland gorillas. Once you locate the gorillas, you will be given one hour to observe their size, hierarchical structure, and other characteristics that are distinct from those of mountain gorillas. During that hour, you also observe their behaviors, feeding patterns, coexistence with one another, nest-building techniques, and hygiene habits, among others.

Bird watching. 

The most popular safari activity in Kahuzi Biega national park is bird viewing. Over 349 bird species, including migratory bird species, endemic bird species, and tropical bird species, can be observed in the park, making it the ideal location for birdwatchers. Numerous bird species, such as the Ruwenzori turacos, trogons, Graud’s broad bill, double collared sunbird, marsh harrier, long-crested eagle handsome Francolin, sunbirds, yellow crested-helmet shrike, trogons, and shelley’s crimson wing, provide the best bird watching safari experience for tourists.

Hiking safari. 

A Congo safari is incomplete without a hiking expedition in Kahuzi Biega national park. Here, travellers can experience and hike the two dormant volcanoes of Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, which are located in the park and offer spectacular views. Hiking safari in the park rewards travellers with sightings of a variety of attractions in the park, including bird species, endless views of the mountains while observing a variety of primates swinging from one tree branch to another, Lake Kivu, and many others.

Forest walks. 

Another attractive feature of Kahuzi Biega national park is forest walks, during which visitors can experience the park’s natural beauty on foot. Forest walks in the park provide tourists with the opportunity to investigate all of the park’s nooks and crannies by observing the park’s unique wildlife and learning a great deal through the presence of park rangers and guides who provide information and knowledge about the park.

Community cultural tours.

Community cultural excursions are one of the reasons that tourists visit Kahuzi-Biega national park. Here, tourists interact with residents and learn more about Congo’s numerous indigenous cultures. Visitors enjoy the community cultural tours in the park by interacting with the local communities that reside within the national park by learning about their daily lifestyle, watching interesting performances such as storytelling, dances, singing traditional songs, and playing traditional games, among many others, which completes their Congo safari.