Lowland Gorilla Trek And Hiking Mountain Kahuzi And Biega

A combo of gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park and hiking Mountain Kahuzi and Biega requires advance arrangements. It is an opportunity to enjoy where these primates live and test your level of fitness. To do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you need a gorilla permit from Virunga Tourism Office. Hiking Mountain Biega and Kahuzi also requires booking a hiking permit.

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Kahuzi Biega National Park is located in Eastern D.R.Congo close to Bukavu town is home to some of the few eastern lowland gorillas. To do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you need to bear some level of fitness even though these gorillas spend their time closer to the fairly lowland area.

Other than the eastern lowland gorillas, there are other forest occupants to enjoy in the forest like the black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons and others. An array of birds linger in the forest including Albertine rift endemics.

Because of the volcanic action of this area of D.R.Congo, several landforms were formed including Mountain Kahuzi and Biega. While hiking these highlands, you enjoy some of the best views surrounding Kahuzi Biega forest. You need an escorting ranger guide to lead the way up the mountain but must have some level of fitness.

How To Plan Gorilla Trekking And Hiking Mountain Kahuzi And Biega

Day 1: Depart to Kahuzi Biega National Park

Wake up early morning for breakfast and your driver guide will pick you up from your overnight hotel. Enjoy the drive and the great scenery along the way.  You may start the journey from Kigali Rwanda or Uganda and cross into the D.R.Congo too.

Dinner and overnight at Orchid Safari Club, Coco Lodge Bukavu, Hotel Begonais Bukavu, Panorama Hotel, Exodus Hotel, Hotel Elizabeth

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

Rise early for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing. You must attend a briefing before starting the gorilla trek as this is the way to get to learn more about the guidelines of the gorilla tour. While on the way, look out for other interesting features in the forest like black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons and others. 

Although finding the gorillas may take some time, when finally you find them, take photos and enjoy their company for one accepted hour.  While the lowland gorillas stay in do not surround them as this may look suspicious before the gorillas. The time is minimized to 1 hour with the gorillas to reduce the effects of being in the forest with these primates.

Get away from these primates without causing any suspension

Day 3 Hiking Mountain Biega

 Rise up for breakfast and head to the ranger station for briefing. Don't forget to carry a packed lunch and other hiking gear. The ranger guide takes you through all the necessary guidelines to follow on the way up the mountain.

Mountain Biega forms part of the Kahuzi Biega National Park but it is a dormant volcano located in the Eastern part of this park. Mountain Biega lies at an altitude of approximately 2790 meters above sea level near Lake Kivu. An early rise to start the hike on Mountain Biega yields a better experience. Hiking Mountain Biega can take about 4 hours to the summit and approximately 3 hours to descend. This safari adventure must be escorted by a ranger guide.

Along the way, you may have a chance to spot animals like the olive baboons, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, Bongo, a plethora of birds including Albertine Rift endemics, great sceneries and much more on the slopes of this mountain. 

You need to bear some level of fitness before hiking Biega Mountain because this adventure is quite tiresome.

Get back to your lodge to relax and freshen up.

Day 4 Hike Mountain Kahuzi

Wake up early for breakfast and head to Mountain Kahuzi in the western part of Kahuzi Biega National Park close to Lake Kivu. Listen carefully to the briefing from the ranger guides on ground inclusive of the regulations of the walk up mountain Kahuzi. With an escorting ranger guide and armed soldier, you start the hike up mountain Kahuzi which is about 3317 meters above sea level. 

Along the way, you may spot giant forest hogs, birds mongoose, chimpanzees, enjoy the stunning views of Lake Kivu, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Bukavu town and so much more.

Return to the bottom to relax

Day 5 Departure from Kahuzi Biega National Park

After enjoying the beauties of Kahuzi Biega National Park and the two stunning mountains Biega and Kahuzi, drive to the airport to catch up with your flight back home.

How much is the cost of Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park and Hikinh Mountain Biega and Kahuzi?

The cost of this gorilla trekking experience and hiking in D.R.Congo is categorized into packages that are Upmarket, midrange, and budget. The cost of the gorilla permit which is $450 for international nonresidents, $250 for international residents and $25 for Congolese locals. The hiking permits to mountain Biega and Kahuzi which is about $100 per person and much more.

Other than the permits, the cost of this African safari is also influenced by the number of people traveling with, number of days on safari additional activities, and much more. 

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we cost our safaris to suit our clients’ needs and interests. Our Team of safari consultants is always on ground to work with you when you contact us. We aim to draft a working itinerary with your input that can create everlasting memories.

When is the best time to Book Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega and Hiking to Mountain Biega and Kahuzi?

Hiking is best done in the dry season although both gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park and hiking to Mountain Biega and Kahuzi is open all year. The dry season normally runs from June to September and December to early February. 

During this time, the ground is drier allowing tourists to navigate the trail within the forest and hike the slopes. There is more life in the forest as most primates have to spend time closer to the ground in search for a meal. A wide range of birds linger in the forest in search for a meal.

There is more sunlight let in through the dense canopy to the ground reducing on the amount of water that runs through the forest and from the mountains. The Kaguzi Biega forest and the mountains are water catchment areas with a dense network of Rivers. 

Note that the dry season being the peak tourism season attracts more demand for gorilla permits yet they are limited to a maximum 8 per gorilla family. At the moment, Kahuzi Biega forest hosts about 5 gorilla trekking families open to the public.

Advance booking is necessary during the peak season as permit availability runs out early due to an increase in demand.

The low season is also a great time for gorilla trekking despite the fact that fewer tourists book the gorilla permits. The low season which serves normally as the wet season that is March, April, May, and November. For those desiring to get less disturbance while with the gorillas may use this time to visit the Eastern lowland gorillas because there are fewer tourists booking.

Even when you have a limited budget but wishing to tick off your bucket list the gorilla trekking adventure to Kahuzi Biega National Park, the low season provides the perfect timing. Some of the service providers during the low season may discount their prices to break even.

How Long is Gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Sometimes tourists may be lunch to find the gorillas in two hours or more but some level of patience is required to complete the trek. Finding the lowland gorillas is influenced by factors like the weather conditions of the day, location of their feeding point, family mood, and much more. Even the pace of the fellow tourists determines when to locate these gorillas.

Having some level of fitness before the gorilla trek helps you to persist even when the time to find the gorillas is hard to predict. Instead of just focusing on locating the eastern lowland gorillas, open your mind to other interesting forest dwellers like the different primate species, the long list of plants, an array of birds, butterflies, waterfalls, stunning rivers and much more in the park.

You may hear the gorillas before they come into view but this time prepare yourself to face these huge primates. Ensure you follow the guidelines of gorilla trekking religiously because the gorillas are very sensitive to intruders in their vicinity. 

Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas when you locate them as a way to minimize human disturbance.

How Long is Hiking Mountain Kahuzi and Beiga?

Depending on your level of fitness, hiking Mountain Kahuzi or Mountain Beiga may take between 3 hours to four and the same time with descending. Hikers need to bear some level of fitness. Pack the right hiking gears that can support you while hiking up the mountain.

Also the weather conditions of the day influence when to get to the summit of each mountain. During the wet season, the trails up the mountain are quite challenging to navigate as they tend to remain slippery from decomposing matter.

Tourists are advised to follow the trails used by the ranger guide so as not to create extra routes as this leads to environmental degradation. Most of the occupants that live below and on the slopes of these mountains depend on the foliage to survive.

Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park And Hiking Mountain Biega Or Kahuzi Tiresome?

Both experiences of gorilla trekking and Hiking drain some energy which leaves you tired. The time of finding the gorillas is quite hard to determine and so one needs to keep moving for unknown time. This is why you need to pack the right safari gear for both these adventures including energy bites and safari boots.

Request for a walking stick to help provide extra support during the trek to find the eastern lowland gorillas. The ranger guides also keep availing time for breaks as you hike on these mountains or during the search to find the eastern lowland gorillas.

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park And Hiking Mountain Biega Or Kahuzi

• Rainproof gears in case it falls without warning
• Safari boots to wear while in the jungle as the ground is so boggy and may have pricking items.
• Safari clothes in colors that a wilderness friendly
•  Extra batteries in case one runs low
•  A camera to take memories of what conspired during gorilla trekking safari in D.R.Congo
• Garden gloves to wear in case you have to hold a tighter grip on creeper in the forest
• Pajamas warm enough for the extremely cold nights
• A torch for lighting in the night when lights go off
• Some hard cash to change into local currency in case you need to purchase something during gorilla trekking safari. Credit cards are rarely used because getting money from them takes a long time.
• A foldable safari hat with a wide brim to protect your hair from dripping water off the tree leaves.
• Insect repellant to smear the body with in order to keep away insects.
• A pair of binoculars to get a clearer view of far ranging features
• Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t provide them or if you are not comfortable using them
• Backpack to carry with the gorilla safari gears and hand them to a porter where required.
• A travel adapter and charger in case you need to recharge your electronic gadgets
• Sunscreen in case you visit another pack and you have to bask under the sun by the poolside. 
• A pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects in the wilderness.
• Snacks to munch on when you get hungry while gorilla trekking and hiking up the mountains Biega and Kahuzi
• Bug spray in case your room may contain them
•  Warmers because this area receives cold conditions in the early morning after afternoons

A great opportunity to spend time with the gorillas and as well check your level of fitness. Contact our team of experts to organize your safari today.