Other activities in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Other activities in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega forest is home to the few leftover Eastern lowland gorillas. This is one of the gorilla species in the world but with the largest body compared to other gorilla species. Although gorilla trekking is the main activity in Kahuzi Biega National Park, this is a biosphere reserve park that has existed for so long time.
Other than gorilla trekking, while in Kahuzi Biega forest, you can engage in activities like birding, nature walks, community tours, Lwiro primate rescue sanctuary, and others. You may also arrange 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.
This tropical rainforest park is located in Bukavu town south of Lake Kivu. Kahuzi Biega National Park is under the management of the Congolese Institute of Conservation of Nature which conjointly with the support of the Congolese government and other international conservation bodies.
To engage in more safari activities in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you need a well-planned itinerary and ample time on your African holiday.
Some of the activities in Kahuzi Biega National Park besides lowland gorilla trekking
Birding in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega forest is home to an array of birds including Albertine rift endemics. During the gorilla trek, you may get the opportunity to spot a wide range of birds that find comfort in spending their day in this vast forest.
During a birding adventure in the Kahuzi Biega forest, you may encounter birds like the African Green Broadbill. Congo Peafowl, Handsome Francolin, Shelley’s Crimsoning, and others. You need a professional and knowledgeable birding guide to take you through the birding safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
The presence of Kahuzi Biega forest provides a haven for a variety of birds to thrive.
Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center
A visit to the Lwiro primate rehabilitation center is an opportunity to spend time with the disadvantaged primates. This center is a second home to rescued primates like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked Mangabeys, and olive baboons.
In D.R.Congo feasting on wild meat is part of their cuisine not excluding the primates. Some of the primates in this sanctuary were victims of poaching and so were left homeless and others cannot be returned to their communities.
This rehabilitation center is home to rescued, orphaned, saved from cages, and many disadvantaged primates. A visit to this center helps create more awareness about the relevance of protecting the natural habitat of these primates to both the local community and other visitors.
From Kahuzi Biega National Park, it is a short walk to Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center.
Guided Nature walk
Kahuzi Biega National Park is a unique tropical rainforest and home to a variety of primates, birds, other wild animals, and much more. You can take guided primates to walk in this forest where you may get the opportunity to meet a variety of primates like the black and white colobus, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked Mangabeys, olive baboons, a plethora of birds, different natural fully grown tree species and others.
Mountain Hiking In Kahuzi Biega National Park
Three mountains are situated in Kahuzi Biega National Park and with a guided walk, you can hike them. these mountains Include Mountain Bugulumiza, Mountain Kahuzi, and Mountain Biega. From the top of these highlands, you enjoy the stunning scenery composed of Bukavu town, Lake Kivu, green cover, and much more. from Mountain Kahuzi, you enjoy the subalpine vegetation and bamboo.
The hikes on these mountains may take between 3 hours to 6 hours depending on the pace of the tourists.
Tshibati Waterfalls Hike
From the swampy area of the falls, you pass the swamp vegetation, bamboo, and forest to the three stunning waterfalls. You may get the opportunity to encounter some chimpanzees, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, black and white colobus, and others.
By taking the Marais Musisi trail, you have better opportunities to enjoy several birds that spend time along this trail.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
If you wish to enjoy gorilla trekking find the difference between the mountain gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas. The Virunga National Park which also lies in the Eastern area in D.R.Congo is home to the mountain Gorillas. In the entire world, just a few mountain gorillas are living approximately 1000 of them as per the recent population census D.R.Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda are the only homes to these primates.
One needs a mountain gorilla trekking permit to get this opportunity to see these rare primates.
When Is The Best Time To Book Safari In Kahuzi Biega National Park
Even though Kahuzi Biega National Park is open all year, the season is the busiest with more demand for safaris in this park. The forest being a tropical rainforest has a dense canopy that doesn’t allow much sunray penetration to the ground. This leaves the ground soggy and slippery from the water that logs making it hard for tourists to walk so fast.
The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, and January and the forest activities are more exciting. The gorillas feed closer to the ground and other forest dwellers are more exciting like the rich avian life, numerous primates, and much more.
For the gorilla trekking experience, at the moment about 5 gorilla families are open for gorilla trekking, and yet a maximum of 8 people are allowed to visit each gorilla family. This is a limited number of gorilla permits for the entire world to purchase. A first come first served basis is used to reserve these gorilla permits but upon finding availability this doesn’t mean their status will remain the same for long as demand gets to its peak, especially during the high season.
The trails in Kahuzi Biega forest are quicker to navigate in the dry season when there is less precipitation. The rains fall but are not so intense or may not last the entire day. There is more sun ray penetration to the ground providing a better environment to take great photos and film the gorillas and other primates in this season. Even though you wish to engage in other safari activities in the Kahuzi Biega forest, you may find solace in the dry season.
Note that demand for safari activities gets high as the season opens providing fewer opportunities for last-minute bookings.
How to Book Safari To Kahuzi Biega National Park
You can do it yourself to book safari activities in Kahuzi Biega National Park and case gorilla trekking is part of what you wish to do, booking the gorilla permit is the only confirmation to this safari. Alternatively, with the help of a professional and experienced tour operator, all arrangements can be made.
At Safari Vacations And Travel Services, we are ready to assist book the gorilla permits and make arrangements for other safari activities in and out of Kahuzi Biega National Park in case you enquire from us. Our team of tour consultants is ready to work with you in organizing every necessary detail of your safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park.
With your guidance, our safari consultant also makes logistical arrangements that will support you during the safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, you may engage in activities like gorilla trekking, nature walks, birding, hiking, visits to the waterfalls, the primate sanctuary, and other interesting activities.
For gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you need a gorilla permit but must have a date before the permit is booked. Note the number of people traveling with to so that not keep moving back and forth with checking gorilla permit availability.
Other safari activities in Kahuzi Biega require one to notify the park authorities in advance so that a ranger guide is reserved to accompany tourists during this adventure.
Booking the accommodation to use during the safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park is important especially if you hope to travel for this safari in the high season.
How Easy or tiresome is a safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park?
The walk-in Kahuzi Biega National Park in search of interesting primates, birds, scenic viewing, and other features may last an unknown time. The Eastern lowland gorillas are very free primates and no restrictions on where not to go but this contributes to how fast or slow you get to find the gorillas.
Since at times, Kahuzi Biega National Park receives fewer visitors, the vegetation along the trails makes it challenging to walk through the forest. The ranger at times has to use a machete to trim the vegetation.
To be able to get the best from your day in Kahuzi Biega forest, some level of patience and determination is necessary. Having some level of fitness before starting a safari in Kahuzi Biega saves you from getting muscle pulls while on safari in this park. search for these primates.
Having some gorilla safari gear like insect repellants, garden gloves, safari hat protects you from the rough surfaces in the jungle.
What Packing List To Follow When Preparing For A Safari To Kahuzi Biega National Park
Extract fully charged batteries to exchange with if one runs low because walking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
- Garden gloves to cover your hands in case you need to secure a tighter grip.
- Safari Boots that can withstand water-logged conditions in the forest in case the rivers overflow.
- A foldable safari hat with a large brim that can protect your hair from water dripping off the tree leaves
- Safari long shirt and trousers that can withstand forest conditions. They must be in colors like Tan or Khaki to camouflage dirt.
- A raincoat in case it falls while in the jungle as this area is known to receive downpours any time without warning.
- First Aid kit with emergency items especially if you have a non-communicable infection that may require urgent medical care. This is the wilderness where all wild animals and rough surfaces may hurt you in case you are not well prepared.
- Medicated Insect repellent to keep away stinging insects in the wilderness
- A camera to capture highlights of the gorilla trekking tour for memories of your safari.
- A pair of binoculars to bring close the far-ranging items of your interest. There is poor visibility for some interesting features in the forest due to poor sunray penetration.
- Toiletries especially if your skin is sensitive to certain types of body chemicals.
- Energy bites to snack on when hungry and keep you going.
- Shoe bag to keep in your dirty shoes especially when you get no time to clean them up after the trek.
- Hard cash to change into local currency in case you need to purchase certain items like souvenirs.
