Kahuzi-Biéga National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park lies near the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo next to Lake Kivu in the town of Bakavu. Kahuzi Biega is one of the largest national parks in. The name Kahuz-Biega is got from two dormant volcanoes found around the park edges – Mount Biega and Mount Kahuzi. The park measures about 6,000 sq km and is located in an area consisting of lowland terrain and mountains. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is home to the rare Eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas) which have been declared endangered by the IUCN. The Grauer’s gorillas are the largest sub-specie of gorillas. By 2015, it is estimated that 3,800 Eastern lowland gorillas are left living in only two national parks – Kahuzi Biega and Salonga National Park in Central Africa.

A home to the western lowland gorillas (over 200,000) and mountain gorillas (slightly above 1,000). Other primates in the park include the Angolan Black Monkeys, blue monkeys, Bosman’s potto, chimpanzees, Dent’s Mona, red tailed monkeys and the owl-faced monkey. The park has bongos, forest hogs, bush buffalo, bush elephant, eastern needle-clawed galago, hylochere, Maclaud’s horseshoe bat and several antelope species. Mammal species endemic to the area include the Alexander’s bush squirrel, Aquatic civet, eastern needle-clawed galago, giant gennet, Maclaud’s horseshoe bat, Ruwenzori least otter shrew, Thomas’ tree squirrel and the mount kahuzi climbing mouse. Birders should look out for endemic species like the Grauer’s broadbill, Grauer’s warbler, Rockefeller’s sunbird and Shelley’s crimsonwing.

The park that covers 2,316 sq miles of dense jungle is difficult to secure. Some sectors of the park are still occupied by subsistence farmers.

Security IN  Kahuzi Biega National Park

Safety is a concern for all tourists visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kahuzi Biega national park has been relatively peaceful in recent years compared to Virunga National Park which was closed recently The park management has taken great steps to guarantee the safety of tourists by securing the highland sector of the park. Tourists move with armed rangers whenever they go out for an activity.  The border patrols and coordination with the local communities have ensured that the locations of any intruders in the park are known and action taken.

 Attractions and Activities in Kahuzi Biega

There are some people who assume all tourism related activities occur in Virunga National Park.  Kahuzi-Biega National park is one of DR Congo’s hidden gems. It is a great park to visit and because it is less visited and remains relatively virgin with lush green forest,

Eastern Lowland Gorilla Tracking: Most tourists who go to Kahuzi-Biega National Park do so to spot Grauer’s gorillas. Eastern lowland gorillas are larger than the mountain gorillas. The specie is making one of its last stands here and faces the possibility of extinction. The census of 2013 discovered 145 individuals in the highland sector of the park, a great decline from the 600 first counted in 1990.. Permits for gorilla tracking cost $400.

Nature Walks: The Park now has well established trails that take you to see the primates and birds. These are the same trails used for tracking the gorillas and border patrols by the park rangers. Watch out for primates like chimpanzee and small monkeys. Nature walks cost about $35.

Mountain hiking: Hiking up to the summit of Mount Kahuzi offers breathtaking views of the town of Bukavu and Lake Kivu.. Climbing up and down the mount Bugulumiza takes 3 hours. Climbing each mountain costs $100.

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.

Visiting the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre: This centre is close to the park headquarters. The Centre takes care of chimpanzees and other small primates that have lost their parents mainly due to poaching

HOW TO GET THERE FROM UGANDA

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.

Transport by boat and air is also possible. The cost of the daily speed boat trip from Goma to Bukavu is about $50. The larger government owned boats cost between $8 to 25 dollars. It is important to book the tickets from ports in Goma and Bukavu at least a day in advance just to be sure. The airport in Goma has daily flights to Bujumbura, Rwanda and Entebbe in Uganda.

Lodges and Hotels – Accommodation in Kahuzi Biega National Park

There are good hotels and lodges available while visiting Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Bukavu town. Tourists sleep in a hotel in Bukavu and head to the park early morning for activities. No hotels have been built in the park itself. Most of the hotels and lodges offer high quality services for budget, midrange and high end rooms. Here are some of the hotels:-

L’Orchids Safari Club: TOP RANGE

 Coco Lodge Bukavu: MID RANGE

Hotel Begonias Bukavu: MID RANGE

Lake Side Hotel Bukavu: BUDGET