Low season gorilla trekking discounts on transport and accommodation in Kahuzi Biega National Park

The low season for gorilla trekking safaris in Kahuzi Biega National Park is normally March, April, May and November when demand for gorilla tours is less. Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to the lowland gorillas with a body size that is larger than the other gorilla species. To find discounts on transport and accommodation to use during this gorilla trekking safari, you need to have strong bargaining power.

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Scientifically, lowland gorillas are called Gorilla Beringei Graueri but these gorillas are some of the endangered species in the world. In the early 1990s, the population of eastern lowland gorillas was about 17000 but this has dwindled to about half. This puts the eastern land gorillas in the category of the most highly endangered species in the world.

The Kahuzi Biega National Park lies in the eastern part of D.R.Congo which is affected by political instability, mining, deforestation, poaching, encroachment and much more. These occurrences are affecting the population of eastern lowland gorillas including the programs of conserving them.

During the low season, demand for gorilla permits is low and so even some service providers may also lower their costs to counter and break even.

The low tourism season is sometimes the wet season too so the trek to find the eastern lowland gorillas may get quite challenging at times. For those wishing to have exclusive time with the eastern lowland gorillas may use this opportunity when there no or fewer tourists. Even those with a basic budget for gorilla trekking may use the opportunity of the low season when logistics costs may be lowered.

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

The low season gorilla trekking permits may be available at the last moment but finding them may not be a sure deal. Booking a gorilla permit is a must as this is the only entry ticket before doing gorilla trekking. 

Chances of finding the low season gorilla permits for Kahuzi Beiga National Park at the last minute are more open in this season because there is less demand for these permits at this time. For those wishing to have exclusive moments with the eastern lowland gorillas, the low season may provide this opportunity when there are fewer people demanding for this adventure.

In case you have a limited budget for the gorilla trekking safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park, the low season may provide the opportunity without spending extra.

Which gorilla family is best and easy gorilla family to trek in Kahuzi Biega National Park 

At the moment about 5 gorilla families are open for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park but all are exciting to be in company with. Some of the gorilla families of Kahuzi Biega National Park include Nganwa, Mugaruka, Mpungwe, Bonniani, Mugahukabut each has varying characteristics.

On gorilla briefing day, after briefing, tourists are randomly allocated to these gorilla families but it quite hard to determine even the quickest gorilla family to trek. The lowland gorillas are free primates that traversal the forest and so the closest gorilla family of the previous day may be the furthest the next day. it is best to open your mind to seeing any gorilla family in Kahuzi Biega National Park rather than focusing on a particular one.

The conservation of gorilla families of Kahuzi Biega National Park has met many challenges because of political unrest on in Eastern D.R.Congo, illegal mining, lumbering, poaching and much more. This however doesn’t stop conservation bodies to keep there doing their work and sacrificing for the survival of these vulnerable primates.

When tourists purchase the gorilla permits, they contribute to the funds still required to keep conserving the eastern lowland gorillas as their population is under threat.  Worldwide over there is global warming resulting from the forests that have been cut down and this is leading to habitat loss for animals like the gorillas.

By hiring porters to carry your gorilla safari gear, you indirectly contribute to community sensitization on the relevancy of the gorillas, other inhabitants and their habitat.

Is Kahuzi Biega National Park safe for Gorilla Trekking?

The rebel activities in eastern D.R.Congo hinder the smooth running of the gorilla safaris in Kahuzi Biega National Park but there moments of peace which attract tourists to this area. Every gorilla trekking safari must be guided by a professional ranger guide and backed up by another from security agencies of D.R.Congo.

Before proceeding for any gorilla trek in Kahuzi Biega National Park, tourists must attend a briefing where guidelines for this safari are given including how to behave on the way to find the lowland gorillas.

Even when with the gorillas, you must uphold the advice given by the ranger guides and rangers on how to stay with the gorillas.

Wearing some safety gear like safari attire, garden gloves, safari boots, insect repellant protects you from the rough jungle.

Keep your voice low while in search of the gorillas so that you do not appear suspicious before the gorillas and other forest dwellers.

Are Lowland Gorillas For Kahuzi Biega National Park Aggressive?

The lowland gorillas for Kahuzi Biega National Park are shy and calm primates even though their outlook is quite intimidating. At a glance, the gorillas have a scaring body covered in fur from head to toe and dark brown sunken eyes.

Their knuckle walking style may stimulate some adrenaline when they finally emerge from the vines but you must not show signs of freight. 

Even though the eastern lowland gorillas are timid, they can also charge when agitated. These gorillas thump hard their chests, pull grass around them, hoot as sign of being angry. It is not all the time that you see such odd behavior that the gorillas are angry with your presence. When you rush to get away from the gorillas, you may escalate the situation so you need to wait for the ranger guide to establish the cause of the matter.

At times the gorillas are provoked by their mates or may be teasing you or may have been attacked by another gorilla family. Follow the example of the ranger guide to show no sign of being a threat to the gorilla family.

As one hours is allowed with the gorillas, after that time, get away slowly without causing any suspension.

How Sure Can I Be To See The Eastern Lowland Gorilla In Kahuzi Beiga National Park 

Be sure to see the eastern lowland gorilla of Kahuzi Biega National Park even though they are in a politically unstable area. The gorilla families are first habituated to be able to be in the presence of humans at least for an hour. Even though the gorillas are shy animals and that may rush into hiding upon seeing intruders, through this process they can at least stay in the presence of humans for an hour.

The lowland gorillas live in families that occupy a particular location for some time until food is proved insufficient. This is why the ranger guides leading the group of tourists follow the trail leading where the gorilla family was last seen the previous day. It is rare for the gorillas to move very far away from their previous location.’

Each day a team of rangers wakes up earlier to trace where the gorilla families may have nested and establish clues of the possible hangout area for the gorillas. Some of these clues are what ranger guides with tourists follow in search for the eastern lowland gorillas.

While searching for the gorillas, tourist are asked to help in tracing them using the clues they live behind like footprints, freshly chewed foliage, listening to their voices and much more. These clues help trace the way about of the eastern lowland gorillas.

How and when do you find the Eastern Lowland Gorillas of Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Time of finding the eastern lowland gorillas varies with factors prevailing in the forest. The life of the lowland gorillas depends entirely on the provision of the forest so the gorilla family lives and feeds from a particular location until food is exhausted so then they move. The dominant silverback with other influential elders of in the family decides where to head next.

The weather conditions in the forest, death of a family member, an attack from another gorilla family and much more are some of the determinants of when to locate the lowland gorillas. Tourists are advised to bear some level of patience before spotting these primates. Look out for other forest occupants like the other primates, birds, flora and much more that is unique to this forest. Make your photo or filming in Kahuzi Biega National Park rich.

When you locate the gorillas, wait to take photos so that the ranger guide can establish the mood of the family. Only one hour is allowed with the gorillas so as to minimize the effects of human presence to the gorillas. These primates are highly sensitive to intruders in their presence and even though they may appear to mind their business, they keep a keen eye on the visitors.

Is gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park tiresome?

The walk in the tropical rainforest of Kahuzi Biega forest is quite tiring because you are not sure when to locate the gorillas. Even the trails you follow in the search for the gorillas are at times covered by protruding vegetation that may obstruct the way. You need to bear some level of fitness that can support the time in the forest.

Breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time you are searching for the gorillas so you need to keep munching on some bites in order to last all the time in the forest. From the starting point of the trek, at times the trails are slippery from the rains that fall making it quite challenging to move fast.

When you locate the eastern lowland gorillas, you may forget the hustle you may have gone through in searching for the lowland gorillas as their joy overshadows everything.

Are children allowed to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

 Children aged 15 and over are allowed to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park as they are capable of walking in the forest. First sight of the lowland gorillas may stimulate some adrenaline yet tourists are advised not to look suspicious before these primates.

Children below 15 years may forget this rule and agitate these gorillas which may push them into hiding. Time of finding the lowland gorillas is hard to determine but requires patience which may be quite challenging for children below this age.

What to Pack For Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

• Garden gloves to protect your palms from touching stinging nettles and other rough surfaces.
• A pair of Binoculars to bring a closer view of far-ranging objects.
• Sunscreen to smear your entire body and protect your skin from sun rays 
• A foldable hat to protect your hair from dripping water off the tree leaves
• Extra fully charged batteries to exchange with in case one runs low.
• A fleece or sweater because it gets cold during the morning and late evenings. 
• Travel An adapter and charger in case you need them for your electronic equipment
• A torch to use in the nights when lights go out.
• Raincoat in case it rains during gorilla habituation experience 
• Comfortable shoes to use when searching in the jungle and for the safety of your feet while in the wilderness.  
• Sunglasses to use for protecting your eyes from dripping water from the leaves and buzzing insects
• Medicated Insect repellant for covering your skin from stinging insects 
• Bug spray to use in case bugs invade you
• Safari convertible trousers and shirt for protecting your body against rough jungle surfaces like biting nettles.
• The camera to use when taking photos of the gorilla habituation experience and other activities you combine with. 
•  First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need it

Our team is readily available to assist in planning your safari in advance today. Contact us for more information and please check out our trip advisor for reviews.