What is the best time to trek lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park Congo?

The best time to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is all year however the dry season is most preferred. The lowland gorillas are a special gorilla species living in Eastern D.R. Congo. These gorillas physically differ from the mountain gorillas with their stout muzzle, larger hands, and much more.

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The dry season in Kahuzi Biega Forest is normally June, July, August, December, January, and early February although sometimes seasons change. This too is the peak tourism season. although the eastern part of D.R. Congo is known for receiving untimely rains, the dry season has less precipitation.

This enables gorilla trekkers to move faster in search for the gorillas, more sunlight is let into the ground through the dense vegetation to reduce on the logging water in the soft soils. Even there is less undergrowth to obstruct your way to find the gorillas. 

Other than the gorillas, even other occupants of this forest are full of life in the dry season because they have to search for a meal to survive in this forest. In case the political atmosphere in eastern D.R.Congo is at peace, doing gorilla trekking in the Kahuzi Biega forest is adventurous and exciting.

The dry season being the high tourism season too attracts more demand for gorilla trekking permits of Kahuzi Biega National Park creating scarcity for last minute bookers.

The low season which is normally the wet tourism season attracts less demand for gorilla permits and for last minute bookers, you can grab this opportunity as long as you first check the status of availability before embarking on this adventure.

The Kahuzi Biega National Park currently has only one gorilla family fully habituated and open to public booking so there is scarcity of gorilla permits no matter the season. Contact us to book your permit in advance.

How much is the cost of Gorilla Trekking permit for Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Currently, the cost of gorilla trekking permit for lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park is $400 for foreign nonresidents , $200 for East African residents and $20 for local Congolese.

The cost of the gorilla trekking permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park may change any time without warning so it is best to enquire about the cost before making any booking.

When costing the entire gorilla trekking safari to Kahuzi Biega National Park, some of the factors considered include number of people traveling with, number of additional activities to combine with this adventure and much more.

Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park Worth The Money?

Doing gorilla trekking is an opportunity to be just meters away from these gentle primates portrayed as violent out in the world. These gorillas are highly endangered primates according to the World Wildlife Fund so more support is required to preserve them and their habitats.

It is through purchasing the gorilla permits that you get to support this conservation work. When you hire a porter to carry your gorilla trekking gear, you contribute to the community sensitization program. The locals use the money collected to support their day to day life and spread the need to protect these primates and their habitats.

What Is The Time Taken On Gorilla Trekking Safari In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The time taken gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park varies with the location of the mountain gorillas and the factors prevailing in the forest. After briefing, the ranger guide leads the way in search of these lowland gorillas but finding these gorillas depends on factors prevailing in the wilderness.

Tracing these primates depends on the location of their feeding area as they stay in a particular area until food is no longer enough for the family so they move. When there is a fight in the forest and the gorilla family is badly affected, these gorillas move. The pace of fellow tourists and much more. 

Have some level of patience and also look out for other interesting wildlife in the wilderness in order not to get bored.

Upon finding these lowland primates, only one hour is allowed with them for conservation reasons. The human presence disrupts the daily life of their gorillas as they have to feed, groom, play, nap and much more.

Is It Tiresome To Do Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Walking in the wilderness to find the lowland gorillas is quite tiring since even the time of finding them is quite challenging to determine. The protruding undergrowth that obstructs the way creates a challenging time while walking on these trails.

We advise our clients to have some level of fitness that will help them search for these primates. The ranger guide leading tourists follow the trail where the gorilla family was last seen the previous day to avoid long periods in the wilderness.

Upon finding the lowland gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them to minimize on the effects of human long stay.

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

15 years and over is the age limit for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. This is the restricted age because gorilla trekking requires a person capable of abiding by the rules of this adventure.

Walking in the forest in search for these lowland gorillas may take some unknown time which may be hard for a child below 15 years to withstand. Even at a glance, the mountain gorillas are scaring a reaction that tourists are advised not to show before these primates because they may feel insecure. Children below 15 years may find it hard not to reach.

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

The low land gorillas if Kahuzi Biega National Park are present although only one gorilla trekking family is currently fully habituated for human presence. This gorilla family is monitored each day by a team of ranger guides to establish their nesting location for the night and estimate possible hangout places.

These clues are what ranger guides leading tourists use to trace the mountain gorillas. The lowland gorillas live in generally lower areas and can be quicker to spot especially during the dry season when the vegetation is lower.

Tourists are asked to help with tracing these gorillas by following the clues left behind by these primates that is fresh dung, freshly chewed foliage, listening to their sounds, footprints left behind and much more.

The lowland gorillas have huge bodies that do not permit them to move fast that is a fully grown male lowland gorilla may weigh about 440 kilograms. This prevents them from moving fast and away from their known location.

In case there is unrest in the Eastern Part of D.R.Congo, gorilla trekking is stopped which is why the gorilla permits for Kahuzi Biega National Park are purchased on the ground.

Are Lowland Gorillas Aggressive?

The Eastern Lowland gorillas are not aggressive but quite shy and serene despite their scary outlook. These gorillas have huge bodies covered in fur from head to toe and walk by knuckle locomotion. When angered, the gorillas may run into hiding or beat their chests as protest for unfriendly characters they witness.

Not all the time that you see such odd behaviors that the gorillas are ready for a fight. Sometimes the gorillas are trying to check on their visitors, playing, have been attacked by a wild group and much more.

Wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter because with a quick reaction, may through the entire forest into a stampede. Follow the example of the ranger guide because they may understand the behaviors of these primates.

Are Children Allowed To Do Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Children below 15 years are not allowed to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park because of the nature of this activity that requires you to walk in the jungle. 

The gorillas live freely and may look scary to the children causing them to shout yet the jungle is full of other occupants.

 Children get tired very fast during the walk to find the gorillas.

Can I do Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park more than once?

Each day gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park starts early morning but takes unknown time. You can only attend one gorilla trekking session per day but may do book gorilla permits extra other days. The Eastern Lowland gorillas are visited once per day so that they can be allowed to go on with the running of their day to day life. 

Mountain gorillas are vegetarian in nature a meal they have to take and support their large bodies throughout day and night. These mountain gorillas have to consume enough foliage to take them through the day and night.

Doing gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park more than once requires preparation and you must have ample holiday time. It is also based on the security of the National Park because sometimes rebels overtake the park so security matters have to be put into consideration.

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

• Waterproof Backpack to carry with your belongings in case you have to hand them over to the porters and in case you tripe they don’t scatter.
• Warm wear as the temperatures of Kahuzi Biega Forest drops as low as 7 degrees centigrade sometimes. The mornings and nights are extremely cold.
• Tracking boots that can withstand slippery slopes when you hike to find the lowland gorillas.
• Energy snacks to keep munching on because breakfast is taken too early to last the entire time you are in the wilderness.
•  Water bottle to carry with drinking water to use for rehydrating as you trek to find the lowland gorillas.
• Garden gloves to wear and keep your palms warm also help you catch a tighter grip of the entangled vegetation when you slide.
• First aid kit with emergency medication in case you get an accident
• Energy treats give you more reason to carry on to locate the lowland gorillas.
• A camera to capture every moment of your experience with the family of Lowland gorillas.
• Some hard cash in case you have to make on ground purchases.
• A poncho or raincoat in case it rains without warning.
• A pair of stockings to tack in your clothes and prevent creepers from getting in.
• Larger brim hat that is foldable in order to protect yourself from the buzzing insects in the jungle.
• Insect repellant to protect your skin from stinging insects
• A pair of binoculars to get a clearer vision of the surrounding that is far from reach

What are the rules of gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

• Provoking the Lowland gorillas or mimicking the mountain gorillas is unacceptable because you may not know what you are communicating.
• No feeding the gorillas because they are wild animals that must look for their food.
• Never litter the forest because this alters the nature of the forest which feeds the Lowland gorillas.
• Keep a distance of about 8 meters away from the Lowland gorillas. In case they approach you to retreat slowly.
• Avoid spitting on the vegetation as this is food for the gorillas. Lowland gorillas are naturally vegetarian with lots of foliage in the jungle as their main meal to last the day and night.
• Try to keep your voice low when with the Lowland gorillas or sudden movements.
• Anyone with a communicable infection like flu, COVID-19, diarrhea must not visit the Lowland gorillas. These can easily be transmitted to the gorillas.
• Only one hour is permitted with the gorillas when you locate them to allow them to go about their day-to-day life.
• Burry all human faeces in a hole about 30 centimeters deep and fill it up beyond recognition.
• The age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years and above because of the nature of the terrain of Kahuzi Biega National Park. A child below 15 years old may not withstand moving on soggy ground. 

Contact our team of experts to assist with planning and booking your gorilla trekking permit.