Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located in the Eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo covering an area of 6,000 km² with two dormant volcanoes i.e Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) and Mount Biega (2,790 m) as well as the rare species of Eastern Lowland Gorillas which inhabit the thick green forest vegetation.

Flora

Kahuzi Biega National Park comprises of many floral species i.e over 1,178 species recorded. These include varied ecosystems ranging from dense lowland rainforests to bamboo forests and subalpine heather. There are also high-altitude peat bogs and afro-alpine formations.

Fauna

Kahuzi-Biega National Park comprises of 136 mammal species i.e the eastern lowland gorilla, which is the most famous. There are also eastern chimpanzees, forest elephants and various primates like the Hamlyn’s monkey and the red-faced chimpanzee, aquatic genet and the giant forest genet. Other than wildlife animals, the park includes many species of birds i.e 349 species of which 42 are endemic like the Albertine owlet and the Congo peafowl.

Things to do in Kahuzi Biega National Park

Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking

Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking is the most famous safari adventure carried out in the park and this involves watching the Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat. The trekking process includes transferring to the park headquarters where you are welcomed by a park ranger guide who takes you through a briefing session.

After briefing, you shall be allocated in groups of 8 with lead rangers that lead you to the starting points where you leave to enter the green forest to trek the Gorillas for a period of 3 to 5 hours depending on current location. On meeting the Gorillas, stay in their presence taking many photos to keep for an hour.

After trekking the Eastern Lowland Gorillas, you shall return to park headquarters for your Gorilla Trekking Certificate to take with you back home.

To Trek the Eastern Lowland Gorillas, you shall need a permit, usually arranged through the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN).

Hiking/ Mountain Climbing

Kahuzi Biega National Park is ideal for travelers interested in hiking adventures as they climb the majestic Mount Kahuzi and Biega which offer you beautiful views of the surrounding terrain landscapes. Trails along the Mountain Volcanoes are used by park rangers offering hikers an opportunity to explore the park’s high-altitude ecosystems.

On hiking adventure, you shall explore the park’s dense rainforests, bamboo groves and alpine zones.

Other hiking adventures include transferring to the Tshibati Waterfalls Trail for 1 to 2 hours and on reaching here, enjoy views of the green terrain, three beautiful waterfalls and great scenery.

Wildlife Viewing & Birdwatching

While in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you can enjoy views at various wildlife animals as well as many differing bird species that inhabit the green forest vegetation. About 349 bird species have been recorded i.e African Green Broadbill, Congo Peafowl, Shelley’s Crimsonwing, Red-eyed Dove, African Black Swift, and Long-crested Eagle etc.