Organizing a luxury gorilla safari to Kahuzi Biega National Park in Congo

When planning a luxury gorilla trekking safari to Kahuzi Biega National Park, consider securing the gorilla permits for this park first. Kahuzi Biega National Park is famously known for hosting the lowland gorillas. Lowland gorillas are a special gorilla species scientifically known as Gorilla Beringei Graueri. The eastern lowland gorillas have a larger body compared to the other gorilla species in the world.

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Some of the so far fully habituated lowland gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega National Park include Mpungwe and Chimanuka and others. A maximum of 8 gorilla trekking permits are open to the public each day.

D.R.Congo is the only country in the world hosting both the lowland and mountain gorillas in its Eastern part. The conservation of these gorillas is key to many internal and external conservation bodies like save a gorillas, World Wildlife Fund, and others however their work is affected by the unstable political atmosphere of this area. 

Despite this unrest, gorilla trekking still happens in Kahuzi Biega National Park but you must secure a gorilla first. The number of gorilla permits allowed per day per gorilla family in Kahuzi Biega National Park is maximum of 8. The number of gorilla families currently open to the public is still low as this is attributed to the political atmosphere of this area.

As you planning a luxury escape to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, consider luxury accommodation booking too. it is best to book the luxury accommodation in advance like L’Orchid Safari Club. There are limited choices of accommodation to book for the gorilla trekking experience in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

How To Plan Luxury Gorilla Safari to Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Book the lowland gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park

Have a date when you wish to go gorilla trekking and the number of eligible people allowed to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. With these you can check the availability of gorilla permits by yourself or use an accredited tour operator like Encounter Africa safaris. The Virunga Tourism office has the mandate to sell and regulate gorilla permits for this area.

You can secure the gorilla permit by paying at least a deposit as this is one way to show commitment to this adventure. Although demand for gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park may not be high it is not a guarantee all the time.

At the moment the cost of lowland gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park is $450 for international nonresidents, $350 for international residents and $25 for local Congolese 

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

Book Luxury Accommodation For Gorilla Trekking Experience In Kahuzi Biega National Park

Immediately after securing the gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park, book accommodation as soon as you can because options run out especially during the peak season. there are limited luxury accommodations in this area with L’Orchids Safari Club as one of the outstanding luxury facilities.

There is less accommodation development in this area due to the political unrest in Eastern D.R.Congo. 

This luxury facility is located in Lake Kivu providing a stunning view and rooms are aerated. The cool breeze of Lake Kivu conditions the rooms of L’Orcchid Safari Club. The rooms are ensuite and self contained. In terms of food, this hotel provides a variety of dishes including local and intercontinental dishes.

Secure Transport To Kahuzi Biega National Park

To get to Kahuzi Biega National Park, you can pass via Rwanda that is Kigali International Airport, drive to Gisenyi to Goma then get to Kahuzi Biega National Park.

From Entebbe Airport, drive westwards to Goma then cross to Kahuzi Biega National Park. 

 You need a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in great condition as this area has a poor road network. The driver guide must also be familiar with the roads in this area so that not to get lost in this tropical rain forest.

 You can also fly to Kigali International Airport, catch a charter flight to Goma International Airport then embark on a 6 hours drive to Kahuzi Biega National Park.

When is the best Time to Book Luxury Gorilla Trekking at Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The dry season is best preferred for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park although this happens all year. The dry season is normally June to September and December to early February when there is less precipitation and more sunlight is let in through the dense tropical forest canopy.

Even though rains received in the Eastern D.R.Congo are unpredictable, the dry season rains are more regulated. This allows the forest inhabitants to move freely in the wilderness with less rains expected. The trails are drier with lower undergrowth to obstruct the way.

You have a better opportunity to spot a variety of birds, other primate species and other interesting features in the forest. The dry season offers better setting for taking quality photographs and capturing great films.

This is the peak tourism season that attracts more tourists to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. to be in the safe side, you need to book the gorilla trekking permit in advance.

The low season which is normally the wet season ( March to May and November) may attract less gorilla safari demand but opens opportunities to those wishing to have less company during this adventure. The more the merrier but you may be obstructed by other tourists as you look out for these lowland gorillas. Some tourists need sufficient space to capture the best moment with the gorillas which may be achieved with a less crowd. The only time you may get this is during the low season.

Is Kahuzi Biega National Park Safe For Gorilla Trekking?

Kahuzi Biega National Park is located in the eastern part of the D.R.Congo which is politically unstable. This doesn’t mean there is no gorilla trekking in this park there are periods of peace. While on gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you must attend briefing where you are given instructions on how to behave during this adventure.

Even during gorilla trekking follow the ranger guide and ensure you are not forgotten in this vast forested area because you may fall into a rebel ambush to snares of poachers. Walking into the forest alone is forbidden as this is risky.

What Are The Risks Faced By Lowland Gorillas In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Political unrest resulting from rebel activities in the eastern part of D.R.Congo is a key problem that the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park are facing.

Human encroachment as miners who look out for precious minerals that are found in this part of D.R.Congo are always disturbing the peace and habitats of these wild animals. 

 Even Lumbering for the quality timber from the trees in this area is leading to habitant loss. More land is grabbed and used for agriculture. 

Poaching is rampant in the eastern part of D.R.Congo as primate meat is a delicacy for the locals in this area.

Even human diseases especially communicable infections may cause rampant death of these gorillas as in according to the population census for the lowland gorillas held in the 1990s about 17000 gorillas were living then. As years have gone by, the population of these gorillas has tremendously dwindled to about half.

 This is due to several factors prevailing in and out of the Eastern part of D.R.Congo.

How Long Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The gorilla trekking experience in Kahuzi Biega National Park may take 2 hours to more depending on their location. The trekking time to find the lowland gorillas may depend on factors like weather conditions prevailing, in case of a fight with another gorilla family, death of a member and others.

All tourists are requested to have some level of patience before finding the gorillas. You can also pass time by looking out for other forest occupants like olive baboons, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys and others. Keen birders have the double opportunity to see the gorillas and spot a variety of birds that find home in this forest.

Upon finding the lowland gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons. The presence of humans disturbs the daily life of the gorillas yet these primates have to search for their food, groom infants, procreate, and much more.

Brief History on Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

By 1980s four gorillas families were fully habituated and opened to the public for gorilla trekking that is Maheshe, Ninja, Mushamuka and Mubalala. They were habituated under the Belgium government care but due the political unrest in this area, these families perished. The conservation of the gorillas in the eastern part of D.R.Congo is continuing as the environment is trying to improve over time.

Are Lowland Gorillas Aggressive?

Lowland gorillas are not aggressive but calm and serene. Note that the lowland gorillas are the largest in size compared to other gorillas but they are just calm primates. These gorillas are shy and when angered, they run into the deeper ends of the forest. Tourists are urged to respect the instructions given by ranger guides during briefing in order not to fall out with these highly sensitive primates. 

The gorillas being calm doesn’t mean they cannot charge but when you notice some up familiar traits, wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter.

At times the gorillas are having fun, grooming their infants and much more drama. Look out for new instructions given by the ranger guide in order not to escalate the situation. These primates are very sensitive to intruders in their environment so you must behave as recommended during briefing.

What is the age limit for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

15 years is the age limit for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. This adventure requires walking in the dense forest so you need a person with some level of fitness that will last the entire time in the wilderness.

At a glance, the huge size of the gorillas is scary which requires visitors to be able to control their nerves. A child below 15 years old may not be in a position to withstand this quite scary appearance.

What to pack for gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park

• Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects that would harm you while walking to locate the lowland gorillas.
• Garden gloves to protect your palms from stinging nettles and even rough surfaces that you and may land at when you tripe and fall.
• Bugs spray in case your room is infected.
• Toiletries in case your skin is very sensitive or your lodge does not provide.
• Snacks to munch on in case you get hungry because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time in the wilderness.
• Raincoat or poncho in case it rains while in the wilderness. This area receives rain any time without warning.
• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts to wear in the wilderness in order to protect your body from harsh conditions in the forest.
• A pair of stockings to tack in your trousers and protect your body from insects that would creep into your clothes.
• Safari boots can go through the soggy surfaces in the jungle as the wilderness is wet most of the time and rivers overflow especially in the severe rainy seasons.
• Safari hat to protect your hair from getting wet in case it rains or dew drips off the leaves.
• Pajamas to wear in the night when getting to bed.
• Duffel bag to carry with your belongings as at times you may get no help with offloading or loading your bags.
• Flip flops to change into in case you come from gorilla trekking and are tired of wearing closed shoes.
• Some cash to exchange into local currency when you wish to purchase anything locally.
• Clean Face masks to wear when standing before the gorillas. This was adopted after the Covid-19 period. The mountain gorillas can be victims of this virus since they are susceptible to human infections because they have about 96% human DNA.
• A camera to take photos and protect memories of your experience during gorilla trekking. 

Contact us for more information.