What you need to know before visiting Kahuzi Beige National Park
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is located in the eastern part of the country between two volcanic mountains such as Kahuzi and Biega in the province of Bukavu and it drives its name from them. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its unique biodiversity and for being one of the remaining places of the biggest gorilla species on earth. However, the number of eastern lowland gorillas in the park is decreasing due to diseases, civil wars, and poaching.
Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to the few remaining Eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas). This is one of the gorilla species in the world but with the largest body compared to other gorilla species. Gorilla trekking is the main highlight of a safari to Kahuzi Biega National Park. The Park has 5 gorilla families with only 2 gorilla families are habituated and they are open for visitors to trek. The families are called Chimanuka and Mugaruka both named after a dominant silverback, Chimanuka is famous for many visitors given it consist of one of the largest gorilla families in the world with over 36 gorilla individuals. Gorilla trekking is an exhilarating safari that allows visitors to venture through the park’s forest on foot in search of these creatures in their natural habitat.
Gorilla trekking in this park is just like any gorilla trekking destination in the world, begins with a briefing about the do’s and don’t as well as expectations while on a gorilla trekking walk. This activity in Kahuzi Biega National Park takes about 2 to 4 hours depending on where the gorillas are allocated. Once you have encountered these creatures, you’re given one hour of interaction in the gorilla’s presence, observing how they conduct themselves in the wild as well as comparing their differences with the rare mountain gorillas and the western lowland gorillas.
The park is also home to other apes for instance Angolan Black Monkeys, golden monkeys, Bosman’s potto, chimpanzees, Dent’s Mona, red-tailed monkeys, and the owl-faced monkey. You can also spot mammal species like bongos, forest hogs, bush buffalo, bush elephant, eastern needle-clawed galago, hylochere, Maclaud’s horseshoe bat, and several antelope species as well as different such as Grauer’s broadbill, Grauer’s warbler, Rockefeller’s sunbird and Shelley’s Crimsonwing.
Besides gorilla trekking, while on a Congo safari at Kahuzi Biega National Park, you can engage in activities like birding, nature walks, community tours, Lwiro primate rescue sanctuary, and others. You may also make an arrangement to see the mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park, do a hike to the several highlands in this area, and others. Even though Kahuzi Biega National Park is less visited, it is a rich natural destination and home to some of the unique animals in the world.
What you need to know before visiting Kahuzi Beige National Park
Packing List for Kahuzi Biega National Park
Yellow Fever Card
Before heading to Kahuzi Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or any other destination in Africa, make sure you have the right paperwork in order. To enter these countries, you’re required to have a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. To get this certificate, you’ll need to visit your doctor from your home country and get vaccinated at least 10 days before your trip to the Congo. The yellow fever vaccination certificate, like your passport, should include your full name, date of birth, and gender.
Valid Passport
To get into Kahuzi Biega National Park for a gorilla safari in Congo, you’ll need a valid passport, just like when traveling internationally. Make sure your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Weather
The park experiences a tropical equatorial climate that is characterized by high or low humidity and high or low temperatures all over the year. So, it’s advisable to park appropriately such as park layers like a waterproof jacket and some quick-drying pants because the weather can change quickly, along with sturdy boots and hat for sun or rain, and don’t forget to pack insect repellent and sunscreen.
Bottled drinking water and light snack
When you’re on a safari in Kahuzi Beige National Park, whether it’s climbing or trekking to see gorillas, you can get really tired, which makes you thirsty and hungry. To stay feeling good, it’s a good idea to bring along 2 two bottles of drinking water and something light to eat in case you get hungry when an activity is prolonged.
Medication
If you take any medicines for allergies or other health issues, make sure to bring those with you, since medical care can be hard to find in the park. it’s a good idea to pack some medicines for diarrhea and painkillers. We advise that you take malaria pills two days before visiting East and Central Africa. Finally, you’ll need to show proof that you’ve been vaccinated against yellow fever before you can enter the Kahuzi Beige National Park.
A camera
When you travel, bring a camera to capture the beautiful landscapes, animals and birds. Make sure your camera can handle getting wet, just in case the weather turns rainy, waterproof will be very helpful.
The cost of the gorilla permit in Kahuzi-Biega National Park
For one to participate in this thrilling activity should have a valid permit that allows she/he to trek them. This is an illegal document that authorizes one to search or trek for a gorilla family. Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in the park costs USD 400 per person for non-foreign residents, USD 350 per person for foreign residents, and USD 250 per person for East African citizens
What is the best time to visit Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega national park can visited anytime, but the ideal months are during the dry season. Which occur from June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. The drier weather during these months means less rain, making the paths much easier to walk on. During the dry season, there is less rainfall in the national park therefore trekking trails will be passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery which makes trekking difficult.
Where to stay while on a Congo safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park offers a range of accommodation options to book during the birding safari. The accommodation ranges from luxury to mid-range to budget level, they include, Orchid Safari Club, Coco Lodge Bukavu, Hotel Begonais Bukavu, Panorama Hotel, Exodus Hotel, and Hotel Elizabeth.
