Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Understand

Entrance to the park.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park operated by the Institut Congolais Pour La Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) is a World Heritage Site. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is famous as the largest refuge of the highly endangered Eastern Lowland (Grauer's) Gorillas. The last census of the gorillas in 2013 counted only 145 individuals. The highland section with most of the gorillas is open for visits, with three gorilla groups habituated for visitation.

In March 2014 in the highlands of KBNP there were no security problems. Visitors are advised to contact the rangers in advance and travel with them from the Cyangugu-Bukavu border with KBNP park rangers. The park is absolutely gorgeous and the gorilla experience is simply superb. In general the area from Bukavu to KBNP is secured by several MONUSCO posts. In summary, stay with, listen to and follow the advice of the KBNP park rangers and you should be at least as secure as you would be in many major cities around the world.

KBNP Silverback and Child

The Congolese people are extremely friendly and helpful and the eastern Congo is a lush and enormous landscape of beautiful mountains and lakes – simply gorgeous! Kahuzi-Biega National Park is the last major sanctuary of Grauer's lowland gorillas. They are larger and potentially more endangered than the mountain gorillas of western Rwanda and DR Congo north of Lake Kivu. A visit to Kahuzi-Biega National Park is high-adventure travel to an environmental paradise!

History

A small zoological and forest reserve was established around Mount Kahuzi in 1937. A larger Kahuzi-Biega National Park was established in 1970. The park became a World Heritage Site in 1980 to protect 200-300 eastern lowland (Grauer's) gorilla occurring mainly in the forests at 2,100-2,400 m, but also in the lower rainforest. The 'mosaic' of biotypes makes the park an excellent gorilla habitat. Other primates include eastern chimpanzee, and numerous Cercopithecinae and Colobinae. Other mammals include elephant, forest hog and many antelope and duiker. Avifauna includes the endemic Rockefeller's sunbird, Grauer's broadbill, Grauer's warbler and Shelley's crimsonwing.

Endemic mammal species include giant gennet, Aquatic civet, Maclaud's horseshoe bat, Ruwenzori least otter shrew, owl-faced monkey, eastern needle-clawed galago, Thomas' tree squirrel and Alexander's bush squirrel.

Fifteen villages of shifting cultivators were located in the eastern sectors of the park when it was created and continue to be occupied. The park is situated in one of the most densely populated areas of the country. Some 90% of the population of Kivu is rural, mainly dependent on agriculture. Seven separate tribal groups live around the park including the Pygmy, Barega and Bashi peoples. Traditional livelihoods are based on shifting agriculture and subsistence hunting.

Landscape

The park consists of two sections, the lowland (closed for visits) and the highland (open for visits).

The park is in the eastern part of the country, 50 km west of the town of Bukavu, near Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. It consists of a smaller sector on the eastern side covering part of the Mitumba Mountains, and a larger western sector in the Zairean central basin. The two zones are connected by a narrow corridor. The entrance to the park is at Tshivanga, on the eastern side.

The 75,000 ha eastern sector is entirely montane. The massif is part of the Mitumba Mountain range, the western mountains of the Great Rift Valley. The two main peaks, Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biéga (2,790 m) are extinct volcanoes, and the massif dates from the late Tertiary or early Quaternary.

The lowland sector in the Zairean central basin covers the watersheds of the tributaries of the Luka and Lugulu rivers. These both drain into the River Lualaba. The extension lies below 1,500 m apart from isolated peaks such as Mount Kamani (1,700 m), and consists of mountains cut by deep valleys. Undulating terrain in the west forms a belt between the two zones.

The western zone is forested by equatorial rainforest, with transition forest between 1,200 m and 1,500 m. In the eastern zone, six different primary vegetation types have been distinguished: mountain rainforest, high-altitude rainforest, swamp forest, bamboo forest, subalpine heather and swamp and peat bog.

Flora and fauna

The park is home to some of the last remaining populations of Eastern lowland gorillas in the wild. There were an estimated 600 living in the park in 1990, but there are only believed to be a couple hundred still alive after the tumultuous fighting of the 1990s and 2000s. In comparison to the western lowland gorillas, with a population of over 100,000 in Congo-Brazzaville, the total population of eastern lowland gorillas numbers at less than 4,000. They're also not to be confused with the mountain gorillas sought by tourists in Rwanda, Uganda, and Virunga National Park. The Eastern Lowland Gorilla is noteworthy for being larger than their western counterparts or mountain gorillas. They are the largest known primates, measuring in at 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) for males and 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) for females.

Climate

Tropical wet climate.

Get in

The park is accessible by a decent road from Bukavu. Taxis, buses, and car hires can be made to reach the park.

In order to have permission to visit, you need to contact Kahuzi-Biega National Park and request a letter of invitation. The KBNP Park Ranger in charge of tourism is: Juvenal Munganga-Mulengezi, juvenalmunganga@yahoo.fr

You need a letter of invitation to apply for your DR Congo visa.

Book your airline tickets to Kigali, Rwanda (KLM or similar) and to Kamembe-Cyangugu-Ruizi (Rwandair) in advance. You need a copy of your paid airline e-ticket to apply for a DR Congo visa, which costs US$115 for a single entry. You may not need a visa to visit Rwanda; check Rwanda#Get in.

When you have your visa, let KBNP know your travel dates.

Fly to Kigali Airport in Rwanda (it is the closest international airport).

Do not try to cross the DR Congo border without someone from DR Congo government, hopefully from the ICCN (Institut Conglais de Conservation de Nature) who run the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega). If they are with you, your crossing will be smooth and quick.

Fees and permits

KBNP Park Ranger in charge of tourism is: Juvenal Munganga-Mulengezi juvenalmunganga@yahoo.fr

A permit is required from the ICCN either at their office in Bukavu (on Ave. Lumumba; +243 99 725 4296 [English] or +243 97 130 0881 [French]; reservations@kahuzi-biega.org) or at the Tchivanga base camp. Both locations are open M-F 8AM-4PM. The following prices are for foreign nationals. Congolese along with expatriates and nationals of CEPGL, EAC and SADC member countries pay lower rates (with passport and proper residence or work visa).

• Gorilla trekking: US$400
• Mountain ascents (Mount Kahuzi or Mount Biega): US$100
• Hiking: US$35
• Camping (including food & guards): US$50

• Tent rental: US$5/night
• Sleeping bag rental: US$5/night

Get around

Travel with the ICCN park rangers or their designated tour operators at all times.

The KBNP Park Ranger in charge of tourism is: Juvenal Munganga-Mulengezi juvenalmunganga@yahoo.fr

See

• Gorillas
• Forest elephants
• Birds

Do

Hiking

While gorilla trekking may be the park's most popular attraction, visitors may also hike the parks trails to view monkeys, chimpanzees, and a wide variety of birds.

The Marais Musisi Trail passes through bamboo forests & swampland culminating in a fantastic view over the Marais Musisi. The Tshibati Waterfalls Trail passes by three waterfalls and offers hikers the opportunity to take a dip in one of their plunge pools.

Mountain ascents

The summit of Mount Kahuzi (3308 m) offers great views of Bukavu and Lake Kivu. The ascent takes 4 hours through bamboo forests and sub alpine vegetation. The descent is approximately 3 hours.

The summit of Mount Bugulumiza (2400 m) is easily accessible via a 6 km trail from Tshivanga Visitor Centre and takes about 3 hours round-trip. The summit offers great views of Mounts Kahuzi & Biega along with the surrounding forest landscape.

The summit of Mount Biega (2790 m) is a 6-hour round-trip hike from the main road. The vegetation is significantly different from that found on Mount Kahuzi. The park is working to clear a trail to the summit that was hoped to open back in 2013.

What to bring

220-volt adapters for your USB electronic devices and laptop computers. Download the Dict-0-French application for your Android or iPhone device.

A Camelbak Ultraviolet water purifcation water bottle and two simple empty Nalgene bottles to hold extra water.

A Sansbug or other indoor mosquito tent/net. Mosquitos are not bad at KBNP but it is better to be ready.

Mosquito repellent – wipes or small bottles for your aircraft hold luggage.

Mosquito head net and brimmed rain hat – just in case.

A good rain suit – This is the rainforest!

The usual foreign travel medicines (Ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea, Pepto-Bismol). Just in case.

A waterproof camera for the forest.

A small LED flashlight.

All of the batteries you might need.

Wet-ones or other alcohol wipes.

Toilet paper.

Some LL Bean Duck Boots – 8 inches or higher.

A towel, jackets.

Thin sleeping bag or two blankets and two sheets.

Think luxury indoor camping without the tent and stoves.

Eat

The food is terrific. Make sure you try the Tilapia from Lake Kivu, and fresh avocados, bananas and citrus fruits from the local farms in the Bukavu valley.

Drink

DR Congo has a variety of excellent beer. Try Primus, Mutzig, Turbo King.

Sleep

Lodging

There are no hotels in the park, so if you want to stay in a hotel, consider the nearby city of Bukavu.

Camping

A designated campsite is available beside the park.

Connect

There is cell phone coverage at KBNP. Purchase a Vodacom SIM card in Bukavu on your way in. There is also electricity and narrow satellite Internet at Kahuzi-Biega National Park during working hours.

Stay safe

You should take malaria pills, starting at least two days before leaving for Rwanda and DR Congo (consult with a doctor). There are also recommended shots for these countries; consult with a tropical disease specialist or your doctor.

Go next

Visit Idjwi Island, located in Lake Kivu, for its pineapple plantations, birds, or simply for a walking tour to spot monkeys and meet the locals.

The (Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre) is near the park headquarters. It cares for orphaned chimpanzees and monkeys and provides educational activities for locals and tourists alike.