Kahuzi-biega National Park is situated near Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo boarder. Kahuzi Biega is one of the largest National Park in DRC established in 1970 by Belgian Wildlife conservationist and photographer Adrien Deschryver. The park delivered its name from the two dormant volcanoes names: Kahuzi and Biega.
Kahuzi Biega National Park is known for hosting lowland Gorillas (Grauer’s Gorilla) – alternatively, you can be found lowland Gorillas in Salonga National Park in west Africa. The Grauer’s gorillas are the largest sub-species of gorillas. By 2015, it is estimated that 3,800 Eastern lowland gorillas are left living in only two national parks – Kahuzi Biega National Park and Salonga National Park in Central Africa.
It’s believed that Kahuzu Biega National park protects about 137 species of mammals like Bush elephants, Bongos, Forest Logs, bush buffalo, Galago, Hylochere, Madavd’s horse bat, Antelopes and about 350 bird species.
Low land Gorillas are found in two sections of Kahuzi Biega National Park; the lowland and highland and about 170 individuals are found in the high land section. Those in lowland sections are not easy to be counted because the area is still affected by the Militia/ rebel. Other primates in the park include Angolan black monkey, Blue monkey, Bosman’s potto, Chimpanzees, Dent’s mona Red tailed Monkey and owl-faced monkey.
The park is managed by the Congolese Institute of Conservation of the Nature (ICCN) in collaboration with the Congolese government and with support from international wildlife conservation organizations like the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
How to reach Kahuzi Biega National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo
Most gorilla safaris to Kahuzi Biega National Park start from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. From Kigali to Democratic Republic of Congo using the border of Cyangungu and then to the town of Bukavu. From Kigali to Bukavu, you need to endure seven hours driving. Visitors from Burundi can use the Uvira border and those arriving through Goma can use the Lake Kivu road. The Uganda route involves entering Rwanda at the Cyanika border and then resting for the night in Musanze before heading to Bukavu the next day. The road from Bukavu to the park entrance in Tshivanga is good and one can use a bus, taxi or hire a car.
By water transport: the daily speed boat trip from Goma to Bukavu. It is important to book the tickets from ports in Goma and Bukavu at least a day in advance to guarantee space.
By Air: The Airport in Goma has daily flights to Bujumbura, Rwanda and Entebbe in Uganda.
Compare Kahuzi Biega and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The two parks have differences and similarities as discussed below:
Gorilla trekking is the top tourist activity in both parks. It’s believed that majority of the world’s remaining lowland Gorillas are found in Kahuzi Biega and many Mountain Gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Both parks receive Gorilla trekkers through out the year since the activity is done all year round. The best time to visit the two parks are the dry month though, the wet months also receive tourist.
Along side Gorilla trekking, the two parks also protect other mammals like Antelopes, Forest elephants, bush buffaloes among others.
Both parks are found in Africa and strategically located in tourist destination locations. The areas are surrounded by other tourist attractions. Bwindi is near Lake Bunyonyi, Lake Mutanda and so on. Kahuzi Biega is located between two volcanoes: Kahuzi and Biega.
Both are world heritage sites. Kahuzi Biega has been a world heritage site since 1980s while Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in 1994.
On the other hand, the two parks differ:
Bwindi Impenetrable National park keeps Mountain Gorillas while Kabuzi Biega, protects Low land Gorillas (Eastern Lowland Gorillas).
Massive Gorilla trekking exercise is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park than Kahuzi Biega. Its because, Mountain Gorillas are more demanded compared to lowland Gorillas. Mo so, Kahuzi Biega experiences seasonal political instabilities that halts Gorilla tourism but Uganda is secure.
In terms of size, Kahuzi Biega is larger than Bwindi Impenetrable National Park at 6000 Sq kms and 331 km² respectively.
Different locations, Bwindi in south western Uganda while Kahuzi Biega National Park lies west of the Bukavu town in South Kivu Province that borders with Rwanda.
Things to do in kahuzi Biega National park (Democratic Republic of Congo):
Lowland Gorilla trekking- the major tourist activity in Kahuzi Biega. Over 170 Eastern lowland Gorillas can be sighted here. Currently, the cost of Gorilla permit in DRC goes up to US$400- alternatively, you can add Mountain Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Mountain Hiking – Travelers can climb Mountain Biega or Mountain Kahuzi. Hiking to the summit of any of the listed volcanoes offers stanning views of Lake Kivu, Bukavu town among others.
Birdwatching – There are morning and evening birding schedules to spot species like the African green broad bill, Congo peafowl and yellow crested helmet-shrike among others. Birdwatching can be done during the forest and nature walks.
Visit the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre: The centre is situated near the park headquarters. The Centre takes care of chimpanzees and other orphaned primates which have lost their parents mainly due to poaching. This centre offers opportunities to volunteer and learn about primates and their conservation.