How much does it cost to see Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo?

How much does it cost to see Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo? The cost of gorilla trekking packages for eastern lowland gorillas starts with the gorilla permit cost. At the moment the cost of gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park is $450 per person per trek. At Encounter Africa Safaris, the cost of a gorilla safari package for Kahuzi Biega National Park is categorized into upscale, mid-range, and basic.

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

In Kahuzi Biega National Park are Eastern lowland gorillas but so far 9 gorilla families are living in this park but 5 families are open to gorilla trekking. A maximum of 8 gorilla permits are open to the public per family per day. 

In the cost of the gorilla trekking safari package other than the gorilla permit, there are costs of other safari logistics that support this adventure like accommodation, transport, additional safari activities, and others. Our safari consultants work with tourists’ guidance to tailor the right itinerary to suit their needs and expectations of this African holiday. 

Booking the gorilla permit from the Virunga Tourism office is what confirms seeing the eastern lowland gorillas. The limited number of gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park creates scarcity, especially during the peak season when demand is high. It is best to secure the gorilla permits for this season in advance as last-minute gorilla permit booking availability is challenging.

Other than the gorilla permits, other logistics that support gorilla safaris like accommodation, transport, professional and experienced guides, and others. All these have varying costs and when you select a particular safari package, some of these are included in your gorilla package when you enquire and request a safari quotation.

The number of days, number of people, and additional safari activities are part of the cost of the gorilla safari package and are included in the final quotation.

What Is Included In The Gorilla Safari Cost Of Kahuzi Biega National Park 

The cost of the gorilla safari package for Kahuzi Biega National Park includes one hour of gorilla trekking, accommodation, transport, ranger guide fees, and much more. All these items depend on what you suggest in your inquiry that you wish to be included in the gorilla safari package.

Exclusions in the cost of gorilla safari package for Kahuzi Biega National Park

Tips, personal expenses, on-ground shopping, and much more.

When is the best time to Do Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park 

Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is open all year but the dry season is most preferred. The gorillas are full of life and trails are quicker to navigate. The Kahuzi Beiga forest has a dense canopy that doesn’t allow direct sunray penetration, especially during the severe rainy season. This causes the ground to get slippery and soggy.

The demand for gorilla trekking permits in the peak season is high yet supply is restricted to a maximum of 8 permits per gorilla family. The dry season is normally June to September and December to early February and is also the peak tourism season.

In this season, different forest dwellers other than the eastern lowland gorillas may be quicker to spot since every inhabitant is in search of a meal to support their daily life. The trails in the forest have less vegetation to obstruct the way making it quicker to navigate the forest.

For one to have the best environment to take photos and have a perfect gorilla filming scene, the dry season may provide the right timing. Since this is the high season, expect to share the gorilla trekking tour with other tourists who may obstruct you at any time. Also demand for other logistics the support safaris in Kahuzi Biega National Park is high yet there are limited choices.

Note that because of the limited supply of gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park, it is best to plan the gorilla safari. 

The wet season which is March to May and November may also make a suitable time for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, especially for those wishing not to share this experience with many people. In the low season, fewer people are booking to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park so this may be an opportunity for those unprepared for an exclusive gorilla trekking experience.

The wet season being the low tourism season too may be suitable for those with a limited safari budget but desire to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. 

How to Book A Gorilla Permit For Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Having the gorilla permit is a number assurance to doping gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park but you need to reserve the permit first. To book the eastern lowland gorillas of Kahuzi Biega National Park, you can directly contact the Virunga Tourism Authority office or use the help of a tour operator, at Encounter African Safaris, we are always at your service to help find gorilla permit availability and book other related logistics too.

Choose a date when you wish to go gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park and send us an inquiry. Identify the number of people traveling with you in order not to keep moving back and forth with checking availability. Upon receiving your inquiry, our safari consultant checks gorilla permit availability from the Virunga reservation office. 

Our consultant will get back to you in the shortest time possible as the status of the gorilla permits changes at any time without warning. Selling the gorilla trekking permit is open to anyone but on a first come first served basis. No gorilla permit is booked without payment as this is the only confirmation that you desire to be part of this adventure. 

Avail some personal details for identification that as your full name, nationality, date of birth, and others, and these are added to your records which are retrieved on gorilla trekking day.

When Is The Return Time After Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park

From the starting time of the gorilla trek, finding the gorillas depends on factors prevailing in the forest. The lowland gorillas are free to move through the forest and this is why at times you may locate them in two hours while other times more time. The eastern lowland gorillas feed in a particular location for some time and can only relocate when food is exhausted.

In case there is a terrible fight amongst the eastern lowland gorillas the gorilla family may migrate into the deeper ends of the forest. This prolongs the time you may take on the gorilla trekking adventure.

The weather prevailing in the day also affects when to locate the lowland gorillas as the severe wet season makes it quite challenging to move fast in the forest. The ground is soggy and slippery since less sunlight is let in through the dense trees. The pace of fellow tourists determines when to locate the lowland gorillas. 

When you locate the eastern lowland gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them. The number of people allowed to see the gorillas is regulated to reduce the effects of mass tourism. Gorillas feed on foliage so when the number of people increases, they may step on the vegetation.

You need to have some patience before finding the eastern lowland gorillas and instead of getting bored, you may look out for other interesting features and inhabitants. Having some level of patience is required while on a gorilla safari but also opens your mind to viewing other forest dwellers.

As you get away from the eastern lowland gorillas, ensure you do not look suspicious as gorillas are very sensitive to intruders in their vicinity.

Is Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park Safe?

The environment of Kahuzi Biega National Park is quite unstable because of the rebel activities in this area. Gorilla trekking also still goes on during the peaceful days. While you walk in the forest in search of the eastern lowland gorillas, you need to follow the guidelines of this adventure.

Before entering Kahuzi Biega forest, you need to have a ranger guide as these have safety gear and can offer the first reaction in case of an emergency. The rangers also have a radio call service in case you need some backup.

Keep closer to the people you are tracking gorillas with so that you are not forgotten in the wilderness. The Kahuzi Biega National Park is vast and one can get lost just in case you get away from the rest of the group. 

While you walk into the forest, you must be careful with the plants you touch as there are stinging nettles. 

Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park Tiring?

The trek to find the lowland gorillas is quite tiring because you are not so sure of where these primates may be spending the day. Before locating the gorillas walking through the forest trails is quite tiring because of the water that logs and yet less sunlight is allowed through the dense canopy to dry up the way.

Since this is a dense jungle, the trails are covered by thick undergrowth which at times the ranger guides have to trim to create a way to get to the gorilla family. This may tend to waste some of your time to find the gorillas.

When it rains, the showers fall heavily almost taking the entire day and this may delay your time of searching for the eastern lowland gorillas. You need to carry rainproof gear in order not to get wet and cold while on the way to search for the gorillas.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Eastern Lowland Gorillas In Kahuzi Biega National Park

Be sure to see the eastern lowland gorillas during gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Before opening a gorilla family to the public, it is first habituated for an unknown time until it is ready for other visitors. 

Lowland gorillas live in families that occupy a particular location and so the ranger guides follow the trail leading to where the gorilla family was last seen the previous day.  Each day a team of ranger guides wakes up early to monitor where the gorilla family may have nested. Some of the clues they give are what ranger guides follow to trace the eastern lowland gorillas.

As tourists, you need to also assist in tracing the gorillas by following the clues they live behind like freshly eaten foliage, and footprints, listening to the murmurs they make, and others.

Dos and Donts of  Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park

• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the eastern lowland gorillas when you locate them to prevent exchanging infection.
• Spitting on vegetation is forbidden as you may pass germs to these highly endangered primates. Gorillas feed on foliage for their survival despite their huge size. 
• Littering the forest changes the nature of the environment where lowland gorillas thrive.  The forest has the food that the lowland gorillas feed on and with time, when garbage accumulates in the wilderness the forest reduces the source of food for these primates.
• Mimicking or provoking the lowland gorillas may cause them to feel agitated and push them into hiding. The communication you may pass to the gorilla family may show if you are suitable to be in the presence of these primates.
• One hour is allowed with the mountain gorilla during the trek. Four hours in company with the lowland gorillas during gorilla habituation experience.
• Keep your voices low or quiet during the search to find the lowland gorillas.
• Only children aged 15 and beyond are allowed to do gorilla safaris in Kahuzi Biega National Park. The way to find the gorillas is quite challenging for children below 15 years. 
• Wear a mask and hand sanitize before getting into the forest to search for the eastern lowland gorillas.
• When taking photographs, do not use flash photography as you may push these gentle giants into hiding.
• In case you wish to eat or smoke, do it away from the lowland gorillas at least 200 meters.

Contact us for more information.