Tourist Activities to Do in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Which Tourist Activities to Do in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Visiting Kahuzi Biega National Park for a safari requires selecting from the long list of Tourist activities to do in Kahuzi Biega. However, in this park, gorilla trekking supersedes them all. Kahuzi Biega National Park is a biosphere reserve that hosts a wide range of wild animals. other than the rich primate list, Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to an array of birds. These include Albertine rift endemics. You also find giant forest hogs, butterflies, a long list of natural plants including fully grown natural tree species, and others.
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Kahuzi Biega National Park is in the eastern part of D.R.Congo close to Bukavu town near Lake Kivu. This park is home to the eastern lowland gorillas the largest of all the four gorilla species. The presence of rebel activities in this area has long been affecting gorilla trekking activities. Currently, there has been restoration of some peace in D.R.Congo. On the ground, the ranger guides and other D.R.Congo security organs work closely to provide safety, and keep law and order in this area.
Some of the tourist activities of Kahuzi Biega National Park require booking for better preparations. For gorilla trekking in this park, one must possess a gorilla permit from the Virunga Tourism office, a hiking permit, and much more before gaining access to these safari activities.
What Tourist Activities To Do In Kahuzi Biega National Park?
Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Gorilla trekking to find eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park is the foremost activity of this park. Kahuzi Biega National Park hosts about 5 gorilla trekking families. These include the Chimanuka, Bonnani, Mpungwe, Ngwanwa, and Mugahuka gorilla families.
Several vices have affected the gorilla trekking progress of this park. These include the political instability of this area, illegal mining activities, poaching, and illegal lumbering. However, of late, the deployment of other security organs has created some moments of peace.
For Kahuzi Biega National Park gorilla trekking to happen, one must possess a gorilla permit from the Virunga office. Maximum 8 permits are open to the public to book each day. Gorilla trekking requires one to pack particular items to be safe while in the jungle.
It is best to book the gorilla permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park in advance. This is so because they sell out fast, especially during the peak. The peak season is usually between June, July, August, September, December, and January.
Birding in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega forest is a hot birding destination of D.R.Congo. Over 345 bird species are residents of this park. By taking the different trails in this forest, you have the opportunity to spot a wide range of birds including Albertine rift endemics. For a better birding experience in Kahuzi Biega forest, having a professional and experienced birding guide is important.
Some of the bird species you may get to spot in Kahuzi Biega National Park include the Western Green Tinkerbird, Rwenzori Batis, Mountain-Masked Apalises, Chestnut throated Apalises, Collared Apalis, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, Red-faced Woodland Warbler, Cinnamon Chested Bee-eater, masked Apalis, Archer’s Robbin chat and others.
Every tourist needs some days on a birding safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park to get the best from your birding list.
Visit Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to rescued, abandoned chimpanzees and other primates who cannot return to their original communities. This sanctuary was set up in 2002 to provide a second home to these disadvantaged primates. In D.R.Congo eating wild meat, especially the primates is a delicacy.
From Kahuzi Biega National Park Lwiro chimpanzee sanctuary is about 4 kilometers drive away. While at the sanctuary, you may encounter animals. These include chimpanzees, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and others. The money that comes from visitors helps to fund the work of conserving these primates. There is also a need for more funds to support this noble cause.
While at Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary you may engage in activities like chimpanzee up close, chimpanzee feeding, and many more.
Nature Walks In Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is a biosphere reserve with plenty of beautiful spots worth viewing. A nature walk in this forest follows the trails that regular visitors in this park construct. While in the forest, you may spot many different animals. These include chimpanzees, olive baboons, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, black and white colobus, and others.
When standing at some points in Kahuzi Biega forest, you enjoy the stunning views of the park’s surroundings. The sparkling waterfalls and dense network of rivers create a beautiful location to take unique photographs.
Hiking Mountain Biega And Mountain Kahuzi
Kahuzi Biega National Park gets its name from two mountains. That is; Mountain Biega in the eastern part of the park and Mountain Kahuzi in the western part. An excursion hike to these mountains is amazing providing great views of the surrounding.
Along the way, you may spot giant forest hogs, and several monkey species. These include bongo, olive baboons, black and white colobus, blue monkeys, and others. The various vegetation zones along the slopes of these highlands are exceptional. The hike up Mountain Biega and Mountain Kahuzi may last about 4 hours to the top and approximately 3 hours return trip.
When Is The Best Time To Do A Safari In Kahuzi Biega National Park?
The best time for a safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park is the dry season when the environment favors these activities. The dry season is normally June to September and December to early February with less precipitation in the forest. Although Kahuzi Biega is a tropical rainforest that receives untimely rains, at times it falls without warning.
The gorillas and other forest dwellers may be quicker to spot in the forest as they traverse it in search of food.
This is the peak tourism season too attracting high demand for gorilla permits yet there are limited gorilla families open to the public. To be on the safe side, most tourists purchase these gorilla trekking permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park in advance. If you do so, you can be sure of the availability of permits and other services like accommodation.
Even the wet season still gives a chance to gorilla trekking and be sure to see the eastern lowland gorillas. This being the low tourism season it normally has fewer gorilla and other safari bookings. Therefore, those who wish to have less company during the gorilla trek may use this season.
How Much Is The Cost Of Safari To Kahuzi Biega National Park
The cost of a safari to Kahuzi Biega National Park varies with the safari activities you engage in. In case gorilla trekking is part of your safari activities choice, purchasing the gorilla permit is a must. At the moment, the cost of a gorilla permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park is currently $ 450 for international nonresidents. It is also $250 for international residents and $25 for local Congolese.
In case you wish to hike mountain Biega or Kahuzi, you must purchase the hiking permit which is about $100 per person. Other items that determine the safari cost to Kahuzi Biega National Park may include the number of days on safari, the number of people traveling, the time of booking the safari, and much more.
Our safari consultants are available to help draft the most suitable itinerary for Kahuzi Biega National Park. This will be inclusive of your interests and fit within your time on holiday.
Why Book Tourist activities to do in Kahuzi Biega National Park?
Kahuzi Biega National Park is in a natural tropical forested area yet in the entire world a few destinations of its kind are still available. When you decide to go gorilla trekking to see the eastern lowland gorillas of this park it is an opportunity to be just meters away from the few gorillas living in the world. These primates may be kept in cases elsewhere but they live freely in this Kahuzi Biega forest.
Kahuzi Biega National Park hosts a variety of wildlife which all deserve conservation. To promote the sustainable existence of the occupants of this forest, more funds are required. When you purchase the permits that allow you to be in this forest, it is one of the noble ways to support the sustainable existence of this forest.
The number of people that go to Kahuzi Biega National Park is regulated to minimize the effects of mass tourism to this park which is not done in some tourism destinations that are always crowded.
Can Children visit Kahuzi Biega National Park for a safari?
Kahuzi Biega National Park is open to all ages except for gorilla trekking where the age limit is 15 years and over. The nature of the activities in this park includes walking in the jungle which may be quite scary to children below 15 years.
As a rule, you must not show signs of being frightened by the gorillas. This looks suspicious to these highly sensitive primates to intruders in their vicinity.
You also need some level of patience before locating the gorillas which children below 15 years may not withstand.
What are the Guidelines for safaris in Kahuzi Biega National Park?
Provoking or mimicking the gorillas is forbidden as you may not know what you are communicating.
When you locate the eastern lowland gorillas, do not surround them. This makes them feel ambushed.
Ask the ranger guide to dig a hole of about 30 cm deep in case you wish to do a long call. You need to ever everything beyond recognition.
One hour is allowed with the gorillas upon finding them to minimize the effects of human presence on the environment or reduce in chances of violating the rules of this adventure.
The age limit for gorilla trekking in D.R.Congo is 15 years and over because of the nature of gorilla trek which goes through rough surfaces yet the time of finding the mountain gorillas is hard to determine. This adventure is also quite tiring especially when the gorillas are feeding far.
Volunteer to stay behind in case you catch any communicable infection like coronavirus, flu, cough, or cholera. This is because the mountain gorillas can catch human infections easily. They have a DNA of about 96% to that of humans.
When you locate the lowland gorillas keep a distance of about 8 meters from them. To reduce the chances of passing a communicable infection to them.
Never spit on the vegetation because it’s food for the lowland gorillas. It is unhealthy and disgusting too.
Wear a mask and hand sanitize as an after-coronavirus period precaution. You must change into a clean mask as you approach the Lowland gorillas.
When with the Lowland gorillas, do not make noise or sudden movement because it may scare them. the gorillas are often scared of unfamiliar noise in their presence.
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