Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park from Uganda

To do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park via Uganda you need a gorilla permit first from Virunga Tourism Authority. If your point of commencement to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is Uganda, you may drive to Goma and carry on to Bukavu then Kahuzi Biega National Park. the road network of the Eastern part of D.R.Congo is tricky so you need an experienced and professional driver guide.

Most Popular Safaris

3 Day fly in Safari

5 Day Rwanda Chimp & Congo Eastern Lowland gorillas safari

3 Day fly in safari to Murchison Falls National Park

3 Day fly in gorilla habituation tour

7 Day Nyungwe Forest National Park & Kahuzi Biega National Park

4 Day Murchison falls fly in safari

2 Days DRC Eastern lowland gorilla safari

5 Days gorilla and game fly in safari

3 Days DRC Eastern lowland gorillas

8 Days Kidepo & Murchison game fly in safari

5 Days gorilla and chimp fly in safari

Kahuzi Biega National Park is located in the eastern part of D.R.Congo with lowland gorillas as the most outstanding residents of this tropical rain forest. One to qualify to be part of this adventure must have a gorilla permit for the Virunga office. The number of gorilla families so far noted as living in Kahuzi Biega National Park is 9 families but so far about 5 lowland gorilla families are open to the public.

The low gorilla trekking safari development is attributed to the unstable political atmosphere of the Eastern part of D.R.Congo. In this area, the conservation of mountain gorillas is being affected by rebel activities, uncontrolled lumbering, mining, poaching for primates, and much more. Sometimes gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is stopped if these activities intensify.

Uganda neighbors D.R.Congo from its western border but because of the poor road network in this area and insecurity even the one road gets blocked by the shrubs that overgrow to obstruct the road. Goma is the border that connects Uganda and Eastern D.R.Congo.

How to Book Gorilla Trekking Permits For Kahuzi Biega National Park From Uganda

Even though your point of commencement is to do lowland gorilla trekking in Uganda, you have to book the gorilla permit from the Virunga office. You may directly contact the reservation office in the Virunga area or use the assistance of a professional tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris.

To enquire about gorilla permit availability for Kahuzi Biega National Park, you must have a date when you hope to do gorilla trekking or starting and departure dates for your safari. 

Our tour consultant checks for gorilla permit availability from the Virunga Tourism office. No gorilla permit is reserved without payment and a first come first served basis is used to secure these permits. To book the gorilla permit, you need to at least a deposit as this is the confirmation of commitment.

Later forward some personal details for identification purposes like your full name, nationality, date of birth, and others.

What Is The Cost Of Gorilla Trekking Permit For Kahuzi Biega National Park

The current cost of a gorilla trekking permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park is $450 per person for international nonresidents, $250 for international residents, and $25 for local Congolese. The cost of gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park is inclusive of park entrance, one hour with the gorillas, ranger guide fees, and others.

Exclusions in the cost of a gorilla trekking permit for Lowland gorillas include tips, accommodation, transport, and others.

Is The Cost Of Gorilla Trekking Permit Of Kahuzi Biega National Park Worth?

The cost of gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park allows you to have one hour with the few leftover gorillas in the world. The Kahuzi Biega forest also hosts other primates like the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and others.

When you book a gorilla permit, you contribute to the conservation of these lowland gorillas. The population of lowland gorillas has dwindled over the years because of the political environment in this area. 

By hiring a porter, you directly contribute to the lives of the local people. The local people need to be sensitized about the relevancy of having the gorillas, other primates, and their habitat in their presence.

The gorilla trekking permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park are lower compared to other gorilla permits in Rwanda and Uganda. In case you have a limited budget, the low budget may provide a favorable environment to see the gorillas.

How Safe Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is partially safe because of the unstable political atmosphere in the Eastern part of D.R.Congo. The gorilla safaris still happen because the environment stabilizes and so gorilla trekking happens in this grace period.

Attending gorilla trekking is a must for all tourists as you are given more information about how to behave while with the gorillas. Stay closer to the people you are trekking the gorillas with so that you are not forgotten in the wilderness which is vast and thick. 

Entering the Kahuzi Biega National Park must be done with an escorting ranger guide so that you do not land in the hands of the wrong company while searching for the gorillas. Following the guidelines of gorilla trekking is a must so that you can be in a position to enjoy the unique primates, stunning sceneries, and much more.

Along the way are some stinging nettles that may hurt you so you need to wear long trousers and a shirt before the gorilla trek to be in a position to protect your skin from eczema.

When Is The Best Time To Book Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The gorilla trekking tour to the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park is all year however, the most exciting time is the dry season. The dry season is June, July, August, September, December, January, and February when there is less precipitation in the wilderness. Kahuzi Biega lies in the Eastern part of D.R.Congo which is a tropical rain forested area.

In the dry season, the gorillas plus other primates are full of life and the entire forest is exciting to walk through. The trails are drier even though untimely rains fall and the forest is dense. There is less undergrowth along the trails to obstruct the way for the trekkers.

During the dry season, demand for gorilla permits is high creating scarcity for last-minute bookings. To be on the safe side, it is best to secure the gorilla permit in advance. 

The low season provides a great opportunity to those with a limited budget as there are chances of discounts in the low season.  Even those wishing to have exclusive time with the lowland gorillas may use the opportunity of the low season.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park

The time to take to complete the gorilla trek in Kahuzi Biega National Park may be from 2 hours to more depending on the factors happening in the forest. At the start of the search for the lowland gorillas, the ranger guides follow the trail leading to where the gorilla family was last seen the previous day. 

Finding the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park depends on the location of the feeding area, weather conditions of the day, in case of a serious fight with another family, death of a family member, and others. As a tourist, you are led by a ranger guide with knowledge of the forest and possible hangout spots for the lowland gorillas although at times they keep moving.

When you locate the lowland gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons. The presence of humans disturbs the smooth running of the daily life of the lowland gorillas. These primates need to feed on enough foliage that can support their livelihood through the day and night. When humans are present, it may be quite challenging for these primates to consume enough foliage.

After an hour with the lowland gorillas, get away slowly to raise no suspension as gorillas are very sensitive to intruders in their surroundings.

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

15 years and over is the age limit for gorilla trekking as this includes walking through the jungle in search of the gorillas. The gorillas keep moving and a child below 15 years may not be able to cope. The first look at the larger size of the lowland gorillas is scaring which a child below 15 years may not be in position to withstand.

Gorilla trekking requires some patience as the time of finding the lowland gorillas is hard to determine which requires patience.  Children below 15 years may not be in a position to have patience for so long.

Is Lowland Gorilla Trekking Aggressive?

The lowland gorillas are calm primates despite their huge size and large bodies. The lowland gorillas are shy primates with dark brown sunken eyes and walk by knuckle-walking style. These are quite scary signs and may stimulate some adrenaline, especially for first-timers.

Naturally, the gorillas are calm, serene, and shy but they can charge when disturbed. To show aggressiveness, the lowland gorillas thump hard their chests, hoot, and much more drama. Do not panic as soon as you see this because at times the gorillas are trying to communicate with each other. they also tease each other at times.

Wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter. Follow the example of the ranger guide in order not to cause a stampede in the forest.  The wilderness has some other unhabituated occupants so do not get away from the rest of the group while on the search for the lowland gorillas because you may encounter other wild animals.

Is gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega tiresome?

The walk, in search of the lowland gorillas, is quite tiring as these primates are very mobile. Walking in the jungle may take some time before finding the gorillas so you need to bear some level of fitness to complete the entire experience.

During the severe rainy season, the trails leading where the lowland gorillas may be messy from the regular rains that fall and logged water. Even the undergrowth along the way may obstruct you from moving very fast even though you are not sure of when to find the gorillas. This is tiring for most tourists on the gorilla trek.

One needs to wear safari shoes that can go through the muddy ground, especially during the wet season when more rain falls and there is less sunray penetration to the ground. Also, pack a raincoat or poncho just in case it falls while you walk in search of the lowland gorillas.

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park

• Camera for taking photos of the lowland gorillas' trekking experience and other safari
• Safari long-sleeved shirt and convertible trousers to save your entire body from rough jungle surfaces and when they get dirty, you are not afraid of the stains 
• Tracking boots for wearing on your feet to go through soggy surfaces and slippery ground
• A pair of stockings to tack in your trousers and prevent insects from climbing into your trousers.
• First aid to carry emergency medication in case you need it.
• A pair of Binoculars to get a clearer view of far-ranging attractions.
• Energy snacks to munch on when you get hungry because you need to re-energize
• Medicated Insect repellants to keep away stinging insects in the jungle
• Torch in case lights go out in the night as you are sleeping
• A pair of garden gloves for protecting your palms when you slide and holding a tighter grip on creepers.
• Safari large brim hat to safeguard your head from dripping water off the leaves and buzzing insects in the wilderness.
• Carry some hard cash to change into local currency and use when purchasing personal items on the ground.
• An extra fully charged for exchanging when one runs low
• Travel adapter and charger just in case you need to charge your electronic equipment
• Bug spray to use in case you locate the bugs while on safari
• A light water waterproof bag for carrying your belongings when you get in the jungle. In case you tripe, you do not scatter your items. Even when it rains they are safe from humid conditions like rain
• A shoe bag to put in your shoes when they get dirty and you have no time to clean them

Contact us to book your gorilla trekking permit in advance today.