Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park from Kigali Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park via Rwanda requires having a gorilla permit from Virunga Tourism Authority. In case you must possess a visa before entering D.R.Congo, you have to apply for it in advance to avoid inconveniences on arrival or acquire one at immigration.

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To cross from Rwanda to Kahuzi Biega National Park in D.R.Congo, you take the route via Gisenyi to Bukavu to Kahuzi Biega National Park. Note that Kahuzi Biega National Park lies in the eastern part of D.R.Congo which is politically unstable. The unpredictable rebel activities in this part of D.R,Congo are a hindrance to gorilla trekking.

The Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to the lowland gorillas with a body that is larger than the other four gorilla species. One must have a gorilla permit to be allowed access to these gorillas as this is the entry ticket. The number of gorilla permits is minimized to maximum 8 per family to reduce on the effects of mass tourism to the environment.

Lowland gorillas by 1990s had a population of about 17000 but due to different unstable environment in the eastern part of D.R.Congo, there population is currently about half. This is raising concern from different conservation bodies that are working tirelessly to protect these vulnerable lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas.

Some of the factors that are affecting gorilla conservation in Eastern part of D.R.Congo include habitat loss, poaching, mining, lumbering, rebel activities and others. When the situation is stable, gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park resumes.

How to Book Gorilla Permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park

Choose a date when you hope to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park or the starting and departure date. Our tours consultant uses these details to check for availability of gorilla permits per your dates and number of people traveling with. At the moment about 9 gorilla families are habituated but 5 are open for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park some of which include Nganwa, Mugaruka, Mpungwe, Bonniani, Mugahuka and others.

When we receive an enquiry with your desire to do gorilla trekking in this national Park, our tours consultant checks availability of gorilla permits first from Virunga Tourism Office. He or she gets back to you as soon as possible upon getting availability. This is because the number of gorilla permits open to the public from this national Park is limited yet supply is restricted to maximum 8 gorilla permits per day per family.

 To confirm your interest in gorilla trekking to see the lowland gorillas of Kahuzi Biega National Park, you need to make the gorilla permit deposit. First come first served basis is used to secure gorilla permits fir Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Later avail some personal details like your full names as presented on the passport, nationality, date of birth and others. These are for record purposes and statistics.

How To Much Is The Gorilla Permit For Kaguzi Biega National Park?

The cost of gorilla permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park is currently $450 for foreign nonresidents, $250 for international residents and $25 for local Congolese.

Inclusions in the cost of gorilla trekking permit for lowland gorillas are park entrance fees, one hour with the lowland gorillas, ranger guide fees, lowland gorillas and others.

Exclusions in the cost of gorilla permit are tips, transport, accommodation and others.

Is Gorilla Trekking To The Lowland Gorillas Worth The Cost?

Gorilla trekking whether to the lowland gorillas or mountain gorillas is worth the cost as the gorillas are some of the endangered primates in the world. At the moment the population of lowland gorillas is about 6000 lowland gorillas a number that is almost half that existed in the 1990s.

 The decline in the number of lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park is attributed to factors like deforestation, mining, poaching, rebel activities, human encroachment and others. The Congolese also feed on primates as wild meat. When you purchase a gorilla permit, you contribute some portion to the funds necessary to support the conservation of these highly endangered primates.

Having one hour with the lowland gorillas is unforgettable and memorable because just a few places in the world are left for these huge primates to call home.

By hiring porters while on gorilla trekking tour, you contribute to the local people’s livelihood as they use this money to support the running of their daily life.

What Is The Return Time From Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Time of returning from gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is dependent on factors prevailing in the forest. The lowland gorillas are vegetarian in nature so they have to search for a meal that can support their lives in the day and night so they keep moving. Although they are lowland gorillas, they don’t settle for one location but seek other areas in case food is insufficient for the entire family.

During the severe rainy day that sometimes takes an entire day the trek is slower since the ground is slippery and soggy from water that logs. The undergrowth along the way obstructs the trails making it quite challenging to maneuver but the ranger guide uses the machete to trim them and open the way.

From the starting point of the gorilla trek in Kahuzi Biega National Park, it may take about 2 hours to more depending on the conditions happening in the wilderness. Finally when you come face to face with the gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them.

When is the best Time to Book the Gorilla safari To Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The best time to book a gorilla safari to Kahuzi Biega National Park, is the dry season that is June to September and December to February. When the atmosphere favors the search for the lowland gorillas. Walking through the jungle in search for the lowland gorillas is quite challenging but you need to wear the right gorilla trekking gears in order not to get hurt while in the jungle.

More light is allowed through the dense canopy to the ground and lowland gorillas are full of life in this time. More animals and birds may be seen during the search for the lowland gorillas. Look out for other primates living in the wilderness to enjoy the entire experience. The demand for the gorillas is high in the dry season so advance booking is required.

The wet season which is March to April to May and November, attracts less demand for gorilla permits but may also avail last minute gorilla permits. If you wish to have less disturbance from the rest of the people, the low season may provide this opportunity.

Is Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park Dangerous?

The Kahuzi Biega National Park is in a politically unstable eastern part of D.R.Congo but at times the situation is stable allowing gorilla trekking to happen. Before the gorilla trek, you must attend briefing in order to be given the right information to follow on the search for the lowland gorillas.

You need to keep closer to the ranger guides and the rest of fellow tourists while gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park so as not to land in the hands of the wrong people in the wilderness. There is political unrest in Kahuzi Biega National Park characterized with rebel activities, poaching, illegal mining, lumbering and much more. When they cease fire, gorilla trekking and others tourists’ activities commence.

As this is a wilderness activity, there are some rough surfaces which may hurt you so you need to wear the right gears.

What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

15 years and over is the age limit for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. The search for the lowland gorillas requires some level of fitness which children below this age may not be in position to withstand.

First to see the gorillas may send a cold chill down your spine because of the ginormous look of their bodies covered in dark fur. Children below 15 years may not be in position to contain the freight of the gorillas at the glance.

Time you spend searching for the lowland gorillas may be hard to determine which children below 15 years may not withstand.

Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park Difficult?

Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is quite tiresome as you have to walk in the jungle in search for the lowland gorillas. During the severe rainy seasons, the ground gets wet and slippery from the regular rains that fall almost the entire day.

The trails in Kahuzi forest at times get covered with thick undergrowth obstructing the way to locate the lowland mountain gorillas.  During the search for the lowland gorillas, the ranger guide with a machete may use it to trim and create a path.

In case of an attack from the rebels, there is constant communication with other Congolese security agencies who act as back up.

How to Get To Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

From Rwanda, you drive via Gisenyi to Bukavu and then Kahuzi Biega National Park. You need a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition driven by an experienced and professional driver guide. The roads of Eastern D.R.Congo are in poor condition so expect a bumpy ride.

Charter flight arrangements from Kigali International Airport to Goma can also be arranged on request but advance booking is necessary.

Are Lowland Gorillas Aggressive?

Gorillas are not aggressive as in nature they are calm and serene primates. Even though on the outside gorillas are scaring because of their dark furred body, they possess a character that is calm and composed.

Before a wild gorilla family is introduced to the world for gorilla trekking, it is first habituated for unknown time. Gorilla habituation is a process by which a gorilla family is helped t get used to human presence without altering their nature.

The gorilla habituation process may take unknown time until these primates are proved ready to be viewed by humans.

This doesn’t mean you try the patience of the gorillas because they can also charge. When agitated, the gorillas thump hard their chests, hoot, walk on one foot and much more. every time you witness this doesn’t mean the gorillas are angry as at times this is a way of teasing there visitors. Before taking any action upon seeing this, wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter.

Follow the examples given by the ranger guide so as not to escalade the matter.

What Are The Guidelines Of Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the lowland gorillas when you locate them. This is to prevent chances of passing an infection to these primates, as they are highly susceptible to communicable diseases like flu, cough, covid-19 and others.
• In case you are sick with a communicable infection, volunteer to stay behind so as not to pass it to the endangered lowland gorillas.
• If you want to eat or drink while before the lowland gorillas, do it in at least 200 meters away from them. They are wild animals that must search for their own food.
• The age limit for gorilla safari is 15 years and beyond. This is because the way to locate the gorillas has rugged topography which requires you to hike sometimes in order to find the lowland gorillas.
• Never go into the forest without an escorting ranger guide. Although the lowland gorillas are fully habituated to human presence, some forest dwellers are not and may be dangerous to you alone.
• When you need to defecate, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you at least 30 centimeters deep and cover well beyond recognition.
• Try to stay in a tight group when with the lowland gorillas because surrounding them may cause them to feel ambushed.
• Don’t attempt to provoke the lowland gorillas because they are wild animals that even though habituated to human presence. They still possess wild behaviors
• When taking photos, do it with a flash-less camera in order not to scare the lowland gorillas, they are often scared by unfamiliar occurrences in their presence.
• When tracking the lowland gorillas, keep your voices low so as not to scare the mountain gorillas and others forest dwellers that may be interesting to add on your wildlife photo collection.
• Never dump garbage in the wilderness as this alters the nature of the forest where lowland gorillas live.

Are you interested in trekking these amazing lowland gorillas, Contact our team for more information.