Things to do in Kahuzi biega National Park
Things to do in Kahuzi biega national park: Kahuzi Biega national park is a famous tourist destination in democratic republic of Congo, famed for eastern low land gorilla, the park is a montane forest-dominated destination lying in the Albertine rift valley region and situated near Bukavu town, the western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Kahuzi-Biega national park covers an area of 6,000 square kilometers; this huge area stretched through by the park consists of two dormant volcanoes that is mount Biega and mount Kahuzi.
Kahuzi Biega park is a habitat for many wildlife species, such as the eastern lowland gorillas, forest elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, white and black colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, blue monkeys, forest hogs and many more.
Kahuzi Biega national park as a great tourist destination, offers many breathtaking activities to tourists visiting the park for a safari and these activities include.
Eastern lowland gorilla trekking
Lowland gorilla trekking is the highlight activity in Kahuzi Biega National Park, where thick forests are home to lowland gorillas that can be spotted during formal treks. Unlike mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas are larger in size and they are estimated to be over 145 individuals, according to a gorilla census carried out in 2013. Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega park involves hiking through the dense tropical forests and swamps tracking down the gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas are always found in various locations in the thick forests, which greatly depends on the last location they slept the night before. Kahuzi Biega national park hosts 5 gorilla families: theNganwa gorilla family, the Mugahuka gorilla family, the Chimanuka gorilla family, the Bonnani gorilla family, and the Mpungwe gorilla family, which are available for trekking, trekking takes 30 minutes to 6 hours tracking down the gorillas and when you find them, you are given 1 hour to be with them. To take part in this activity, you are require to have a gorilla trekking permit, which costs US$400
Birdwatching
Kahuzi Biega national park is a great birding destination with a variety of bird species that reside in the thick forested trees in the park. The bird species in Kahuzi Biega national park are recorded to be over 450 bird species with 24 species that are Albertine endemics. BThe bird species include the Congo peafowl, African broadbill, Rockefeller’s, yellow-crested helmet shrike, Grauer’s warbler, Shelley’s crimson wing, Grauer’s broadbill, Rwenzori Turaco, and many more.
Bird watching in Kahuzi Biega national park is offered in two sessions, a morning session and an evening session., bird watching is also done while on nature walks and eastern lowland gorilla trekking in the thick forests.
Nature walks
Nature walks in Kahuzi Biega Park feature many well-established trails that facilitate safaris through the thick forests; as you navigate these trails on foot, you will encounter a variety of attractions, including primates such as chimpanzees, baboons, and eastern lowland gorillas. In Kahuzi Biega national park the most used trails while on a nature walk safari are marais musisi trail and the Tshiabati falls trail, using these trails takes you through a bamboo forest tree where you get to encounter 3 waterfalls while on the Tshiabati waterfalls trail.
Visiting Lwiro primate rehabilitation centre
The Lwiro primate rehabilitation centre is a rehabilitation center for chimpanzees situated close to Kahuzi Biega national park, the centre takes care of orphaned chimpanzees and other primates who lost their parents majorly because of poaching practices. Upon your visit to this center, you get to participate in feeding and nurturing the chimpanzees and also learn more about these primates.
Mountain/volcano hiking
Kahuzi Biega national park is composed of two magnificent volcanoes which create spectacular scenery in the park, these two volcanoes that is mount Biega and Mount Kahuzi, facilitate the amazing volcanic hiking in the park. Mount Kahuzi stands at the altitude of 3308 meters above sea level and for a tourist to hike this volcano, it takes 3-4 hours to ascend to the volcano and 3 hours to descend, while on top of mount Kahuzi you get scenic views of lake Kivu and Bukavu town. Mount Biega stands at the height of 2790 meters, taking a hiker about 3 hours to climb up and 3 hours to descend the volcano. as you hike these volcanoes, you encounter sub-alpine vegetation and bamboo forest together with a variety of wildlife that is primates like chimpanzees and many birds
Best time to visit Kahuzi Biega national park for a safari
Kahuzi Biega park is open for safari throughout the year but the best time to visit the park is during dry season periods, though it is rainy most of the time in the park because it is dominated by montane forests the park receives two dry seasons. Short dry season in Kahuzi Biega national park is received in the period of January to February and a long dry period is received in the period of June to September. In this period hiking through the forests is very much possible since they are less muddy and less slippery, as a tourist going for a safari in Kahuzi Biega national park it is advisable to carry warm clothing as it tends to get cold during the evening.
How to get Kahuzi Biega national park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is located about 30 kilometers from Bukavu town, the nearest town to the park; by road, it is a drive of 1-2 hours to the park. fFor tourists who prefer a quicker means of transport to the park, domestic chartered flights are available from Goma International Airport to Kavuma Airstrip; from there, visitors can drive to the park.
Where to stay in Kahuzi Biega national park
Kahuzi Biega national park has a variety of good comfortable and cost-friendly hotels where you can stay while on your safari, it is important to note that there is no hotel or lodge built inside Kahuzi Biega national park so accommodation is gottenin Bukavu town, and then in the morning you drive to the park for a safari.
L’orchids safari club
L’orchids Safari Club is a luxury lodge located on the shores of Lake Kivu, offering self-contained rooms that feature both African and contemporary decor. L’Orchids Safari Club’s restaurant offers a range of delicious meals, including both local and international dishes.
Coco lodge Bukavu
Coco Lodge Bukavu is a midrange accommodation located in Bukavu town, adjacent to the park, and it offers fully furnished single and double bed rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Lake side hotel Bukavu
Lake side hotel Bukavu is a standard hotel in Bukavu situated near Lake Kivu, this facility offers great views of the shores of the lake and a mouthwatering meal plan.
Exodus Bukavu
Exodus Bukavu is a budget hotel situated in Bukavu town; the hotel offers bed and meal plan.
Packing list for a safari in Kahuzi Biega national park
For a wonderful safari experience in Kahuzi Biega national park here is a list of items which should not be miss from your packing list and these include
- A camera
- First aid kit and medication
- Sleeping bag and sheets
- Comfortable-fitting clothing
- Insect and mosquito repellent
- Bottled drinking water and energy-giving snacks
- Adapters and batteries.
