How many gorilla permits are available daily in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Each day maximum of 8 gorilla trekking permits are open for booking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. At the moment 5 gorilla families are open to the public to book with approximately 40 gorilla permits available for the Eastern lowland gorillas in D.R.Congo. Some of the gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega National Park include Nganwa, chimanuka, Mpungwe, Bonniani and Mugahuka

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Kahuzi Biega National Park lies in Bukavu eastern D.R.Congo a home to the Eastern lowland gorillas. These gorillas are believed to have a larger body compared to other gorilla species in the world. To do gorilla trekking in this park, you need to secure a gorilla permit from the Virunga office.

The unstable political environment of eastern D.R.Congo is a hindrance to the growth of gorilla trekking activities in this area. There are some illegal activities in this part of D.R.Congo like rebel activities, illegal mining, poaching, lumbering, and much more. These all are affecting the development of tourism in this area.

Even under such circumstances, gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is still going on. The population of the eastern lowland gorillas by the 1990s was about 17000 gorillas but because of the political turmoil in this area, the recent population census indicated that about half this population of Eastern lowland gorillas is living in Kahuzi Biega National Park. This is a big threat to the existence of these gorillas so they are now some of the highly endangered primates.

Booking a gorilla permit for the lowland gorillas contributes to the funds that support the sustainable existence of the eastern lowland gorillas.

How to book a Gorilla permit for the Eastern lowland gorillas?

 Choose the date when you hope to go gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park and the number of permits desired. This helps not to move back and forth with checking permit availability since these permits sell out at any time without warning. 

At Encounter Africa Safaris, when you contact us with details of your gorilla trek, our tourist consultant checks availability from the Virunga Reservation office. Upon receiving availability, the safari consultant will get back to you but the only guarantee of owning this permit is by payment. You may also deposit the gorilla permit as a sign of commitment just in case the gorilla permits sell out.

Later avail some personal details to us for identification and record keeping. These are retrieved on gorilla trekking day and used to add to your certificate after completing the gorilla trek.

How much is the gorilla permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park

Currently, the gorilla permit cost for Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park is $450 for international nonresidents, $250 for international residents, and $25 for Local Congolese.

The inclusions in the cost of a gorilla permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park are one hour with the lowland gorillas, park entrance fees, security, gorilla conservation, and other

 The cost excludes tips, accommodation, transport, and other personal expenses.

Why book a Gorilla Trekking safari To The Eastern Lowland Gorilla In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Gorillas are some of the world’s endangered primates with just a few left in the world and visiting them has a limited number so buying a gorilla permit, is one of the safari privileges. There is a resemblance of about 96% human traits in the gorillas which makes being in their company exciting even though they cannot speak a language that humans understand. Just witnessing them go about their daily work just like humans is exciting.

By purchasing the gorilla permit, you contribute to the noble cause of sustainable gorilla existence. More funds are still being collected from tourist donors, grants, and much more to support the work of conserving these endangered gorillas. 

Even the local community benefits from gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega when tourists hire them as porters. In case you wish to give back to the local community during your gorilla safari in this park, this is one of the direct ways.  A portion of the annual proceeds accrued from the sale of gorilla permits is shared with the local community as a way to support their activities.

What assurance can I get Have to see the Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

In a stable environment, be sure to see the Eastern Lowland Gorillas of Kahuzi Biega National Park. The gorilla families are first habituated to human presence for a period until proven ready for human viewing. The gorilla habituation process is conducted by a trained team of researchers without altering the nature of the gorilla family.

Because of the bulky size of the Eastern lowland gorillas, they do not move very far from their previous location. This is why from the start of the gorilla trek, the ranger guide follows the trail leading to where the gorilla family was last seen the day prior.

Each day a team of ranger guides patrols the gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega National Park to establish their possible nesting point and hang-out spot. Some of these clues are what the rangers leading tourists use to trace the way about of the gorilla families.

Tourists are requested to help in tracing the gorillas by following clues they leave behind like fresh dung, and footprints, listening to the jungle sounds, and much more.

Are Eastern Lowland Gorillas Dangerous?

By nature, the eastern lowland gorillas are calm and shy primates despite their massive body structure. On the outlook, gorillas have a large body covered with fur and dark sunken eyes. Their appearance intimidates several people are first sight yet they are also cowards.

This however doesn’t mean that these gorillas do not get agitated and when they do so, they may charge by hooting, thumping their chests, and much more. Not all the time that you see such behavior that they are angered by humans. Sometimes these gorillas are agitated by fellow family members, have been attacked by another wild family, maybe tease you, and much more. 

All tourists are advised not to panic upon seeing this but to wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter.

How fast can I get To the Eastern Lowland Gorillas?

Before gorilla trekking, you need to have some level of fitness in order not to slow down the search for these gorillas. The topography of Eastern D.R.Congo was highly affected by volcanic action so expect to hike some highlands even with the lowland gorillas.

Hiring a porter to help carry your gorilla safari gear so that you do not lag is a great idea however you need to do this before the start of the trek. Porters are some of the local people who help carry tourists for a fair price. Some of them are ex-poachers who have resorted to using better ways to sustain their lives. 

Follow the ranger guide’s instructions while searching for the eastern lowland gorillas so that you are not lost in the jungle which is thick and dark. It is hard to determine when to locate the eastern lowland gorillas because you are not sure where they might be heading too for the day.

The free movement of the gorillas makes it hard to determine the easiest gorilla family to trek as the closest family to the starting point the previous day may be furthest the next day. Just open your mind to the gorilla family you are allocated to feel all the excitement of all the moments with the few gorillas.

Are children allowed to do Gorilla Trekking to see the Eastern Lowland Gorillas?

Children aged 15 years and over are the only ones permitted to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. the nature of this safari activity requires walking in the jungle which may not rub well with children below this age.

 The time of finding the lowland gorillas is hard to determine as these primates move freely in the forest. Some tourists have traced the lowland gorillas in two hours while others have spent more time which requires patience. Children below 15 years may not have enough patience to last the entire time with these primates. 

First glance at the huge, dark-furred bodies of the gorillas may stimulate some adrenaline and signs of freight which is quite hard for children below 15 years to forego. It is very easy for these children to make some noise upon seeing these gorillas yet this may send the entire gorilla family into hiding.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Time taken Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is quite hard to determine as this is dependent on factors prevailing in the forest. The gorillas move freely in the forest although they conquer a particular feeding area for some time until food is proved insufficient to support the entire family. 

Other factors may include weather conditions of the day, the case of a fight with another family, the death of a fellow member, and others. The pace of fellow trekkers determines when to locate the gorilla family.

Instead of focusing on just spotting the eastern lowland gorillas, open your mind to enjoy other forest dwellers like other primates, birds, sparkling waterfalls, different fully grown natural tree species, beautiful butterflies, and much more. 

Upon finding the gorillas, one hour is allowed with them so that they can be allowed to go about their daily lives. Human presence disrupts the daily life of the lowland gorillas as the gorillas engage in grooming, reproduction, combing each other, napping, and much more.

When Is The Best Time to Do Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The best time for gorilla trekking in the Eastern part of D.R.Congo is the drier period. During June, July, August, September, December, and January the environment in the forest receives less precipitation. The trails in the forest are drier and passable as fewer rains fall even though this area is known for receiving untimely rains.

The gorillas at this time are full of life and other forest dwellers feed closer to the ground. For those interested in taking quality gorilla photos with more sunlight, the dry season may provide this opportunity.  

The wet season which is March, April, May, and November opens more chances to solo gorilla safaris as there is less permit demand. Even those with a limited budget may have access to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

What are the rules of Gorilla safaris?

• No going for gorilla trekking in case you catch a communicable infection like the flu. Cough, coronavirus, and others. Eastern lowland gorillas are highly susceptible to human infections. You may not know the extent to which this infection may kill the gorillas. Conserving them has taken a lot of time and money to gain this achievement.
• Try not to surround the gorillas when you locate them because this makes them feel ambushed. They are very sensitive primates and you need to follow the advice given by the ranger guides to enjoy every moment.
• Wearing a clean mask before meeting the eastern lowland gorillas is compulsory after the outbreak of coronavirus. This is one of the preventive measures to reduce the chances of passing this infection to their endangered primate species.
• In case you wish to cough or sneeze, do it away from the gorillas or in a handkerchief to prevent the spreading of germs.
• Spitting on vegetation or soil is forbidden because it may contaminate the food on which the eastern lowland gorillas depend on.
• The use of flash photography is forbidden because this may scare the gorillas. They are highly sensitive to new occurrences in their vicinity.
• In case you wish to take a long call, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole for you at least 30 centimeters deep and cover everything well beyond recognition. This is to prevent forest dwellers from exhuming what you may have covered.
• Provoking the lowland gorillas is forbidden because they have moods too. They may get agitated and move into hiding.in nature, they are shy and serene creatures but do not test their patience.
• Eating or smoking 200 meters from the gorillas may cause them to move and grab it from you. The mountain gorillas are wild animals that must search for their food and not depend on human provision.
• Tourists ages 15 and above are allowed to do gorilla trekking. This is because of the hardships that come with searching for the gorillas like the time of locating the gorillas is unknown, the way to the gorillas is sloppy at times, the provocative nature of the gorillas, and much more. A child below this age may not withstand such so in case they make noise they may cause a stampede in the forest.
• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the gorillas when you locate them. This is to reduce the chances of passing an infection to the lowland gorillas. They are highly susceptible to human infectious diseases. Even when they approach, try to stealthily move back.
• Littering the forest or dumping garbage in the forest is forbidden because this alters the nature of the forest where the lowland gorillas feed. They are vegetarian so when you dump indecomposable garbage, it may prevent the growth of plants on which the gorillas and other forest dwellers feed.
• Only one hour is allowed with the lowland gorillas when you locate them.

Booking your gorilla permit in advance is best if you plan to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Contact us to help plan and book your gorilla trekking permit.