What is the minimum and maximum age limit for Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking

The minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is 15 years and over as the maximum. In case you are having movement difficulties during the gorilla trek because of age issues, on the ground, a sedan chair arrangement can be planned with porters to carry you to where the gorillas are. This however requires planning.

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No matter the age, it is best to indulge children in loving and appreciating the biosphere at an early age so that they are reminded to preserve it as they grow. This is why the age limit for gorilla trekking is at least 15 years and over.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is a pristine forest hosting a long list of flora and fauna but the presence of eastern lowland gorillas stands out. Generally, the eastern lowland gorillas live in a fairly low area between two mountains that is Kahuzi Mountain to the West and Biega Mountain to the East.

At the moment about 349 bird species including Albertine endemics, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society census, the population of Eastern lowland gorillas is more than 181 Eastern, chimpanzees, Cercopithecinae, bush elephants, bongo, bush buffaloes, Alexander’s bush, Aquatic civet, owl-faced monkeys, eastern needle crawled galago, over 1178 plant species are residents of Kahuzi Biega National Park.

For any person to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park, you need a gorilla permit which at the moment is only sold to people 15 years and over. This age was limited to 15 years because it's an adventure that includes walking in the forest which children below this age may not stand.

The first look at the gorillas is intimidating and may arouse some adrenaline but you need to compose yourself. These primates are very sensitive and watchful of intruders in their vicinity so any unfriendly gesture may be mistaken causing the eastern lowland gorillas to retreat into the deeper forest.

The time of finding the eastern lowland gorillas is hard to determine as this is influenced by factors happening in the forest. Children below 15 years may be incapable of keeping the walk for a long time to find the gorillas and yet no turning back until the gorilla trek is complete.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Safari To Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Encounter Africa Safaris is available to assist you book a safari to do gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park. We have a professional team of Tours consultants with experience and several years of working in this industry.

Select a date and number of people hoping to do gorilla trekking with. These must be aged 15 years and over. Then send us an inquiry with these details. You may also include the safari package of your choice.

Upon receiving your inquiry, our safari consultant checks the gorilla permit availability for gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

The consultant will get back to you as soon as availability is received but we request you to purchase the gorilla permit as soon as possible. This is because gorilla permits are sold on a first come first served basis as yet their supply is limited to a maximum of 8 per gorilla family. At the moment about 5 gorilla trekking families of eastern lowland gorillas are open to the public.

Note that no gorilla permits are reserved without payment as this is the only commitment sign.

Upon reserving the gorilla permit, avail some personal details like full names as presented on the passport, nationality, date of birth, and other details.

How much is the cost of a safari to Do Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The Kahuzi Biega National Park gorilla trekking tour costs are first confirmed with the purchase of the gorilla permit. At the moment, the cost of a gorilla trekking permit for this pack is $450 for international nonresidents, $250 for international residents, and $25 for Local Congolese.

In addition to the cost of the gorilla trekking permit, other safari costs included in the safari package of Kahuzi Biega National Park may include accommodation costs that vary according to upscale, Mid-range, and basic, transport costs, driver guide hire, and others.

The costs of these safari logistics are influenced by the number of days on a gorilla safari, the number of people traveling with them, the time of booking the gorilla safari, and others.

Our tour consultants are always ready to work with you to tailor an itinerary inclusive of your interests and within your budget. Contact us for a quotation.

Which Accommodation To Book For Gorilla Safari In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

Kahuzi Biega National Park has different accommodation types but these are limited so it is best to secure it in advance. Accommodations for the gorilla trekking safaris are categorized into Upmarket, midrange, and budget.

Kahuzi Biega accommodations Orchid Safari Club, Coco Lodge Bukavu, Hotel Begonais Bukavu, Panorama Hotel, Exodus Hotel, Hotel Elizabeth

What Is The Return Time From Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

The return time from gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is hard to determine as it is influenced by the time taken searching for the Eastern lowland gorillas. Briefing to start the gorilla trek is done early morning then proceed into the forest to start searching for the eastern lowland gorillas.

Tracing these elusive primates may take from 2 hours to more depending on factors like food location, the mood of the gorilla family, weather conditions of the day, in case of a violent attack from another gorilla family, the pace of fellow trekkers, and others.

Some level of patience is required before finding these eastern lowland gorillas because they are mobile primates that cannot be restricted by any barriers. Instead of getting frustrated before finding the gorilla family, look out for other interesting features in the forest like the waterfalls, several monkey species like bingo, Black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, and others. The long list of birds including Albertine rift endemics makes you busy in that you may not realise how time passes by.

 Finally, when you locate the eastern lowland gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them. Time with the gorillas is restricted to one hour for conservation reasons as human presence disrupts the daily life of the gorillas like feeding, grooming, nurturing, and much more.

As you get away from the gorilla family, do it stealthily so as not to appear suspended before these gorillas that are sensitive to intruders in their vicinity.

How Safe Is Kahuzi Biega National Park For A Gorilla Trekking Tour?

Kahuzi Biega National Park is currently safe for gorilla trekking on the ground are other D.R.Congo security agencies to help keep law and order. They work closely with the ranger guides to protect the gorillas and their habitats from the unlawful activities known to happen in eastern D.R.Congo.

The Eastern D.R.Congo has politically been unstable for a long time due to rebel activities, illegal; lumbering, mining, poaching, and much more. These have been the source of instability in Eastern D.R.Congo for some time and a hindrance to the development of safaris in this area.

During the gorilla trek, you must be escorted by an armed ranger guide so in case of an emergency. Following the guidelines of gorilla trekking is compulsory as these are some of the safety measures to be followed while trekking to find the lowland gorillas.

When Is the Best Time To Book a Gorilla Trekking Safari To Kahuzi Biega National Park?

All year round, Kahuzi Biega National Park is open for gorilla trekking but the dry season is most preferred. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, and January when the forest receives less rain. The eastern lowland gorillas are more excited to watch in the wilderness during this period.

This is normally the peak season when demand for gorilla permits is high yet there supply is restricted to a maximum of 8 gorilla permits per family. Due to the high demand for gorilla permits, they sell out in advance and last-minute bookings may find no availability.

In the dry season, the forest is full of activity with the majority of the forest dwellers searching for a day’s meal. The trails in Kahuzi Biega National Park are normally wet from the irregular rains that fall and yet less sunlight is let in the dry season allowing more sunray penetration to the ground creating a suitable ambience to take better photos and capture great wildlife films and documentaries.

Do not ignore the wet season for the gorilla trekking experience as there are chances to find last-minute gorilla permits. Even those wishing to walk with less company during the gorilla trek may make use of this opportunity.

Those wishing to have discounts during the gorilla safari may use this opportunity to engage in gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park.

Is Gorilla Trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park Difficult?

Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park is quite challenging since you have to walk in the jungle. The way to find the eastern lowland gorillas has some huddles which may make it challenging sometimes.

Rains falls irregularly in this tropical rainforest of Kahuzi Biega forest causing high precipitation. The ground is slippery and soggy since less sunlight is allowed to penetrate through to the ground creating a chance to navigate and locate the eastern lowland gorillas.

When undergrowth protrudes through to cover the trails of Kahuzi Biega National Park, it gets challenging to walk fast in the jungle. The ranger guide with a machete has to use it to trim and create a way for tourists to access lowland gorillas.

In case it falls while searching for the gorillas, it becomes challenging to complete the trek in the shortest time possible.

Are gorillas aggressive during gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park?

In general, gorillas are not aggressive primates even though they appear to be tough. On the outside, lowland gorillas' bodies are covered with far and have a large body structure. These primates have dark brown eyes and walk by knuckle locomotion.

Some people mistake the outlook of lowland gorillas for being aggressive yet they are generally calm and serene primates.

This however doesn’t mean that provokes the lowland gorillas because they can charge. When angry, the mountain gorillas pull grass around them thump their chests, hoot, and much more drama. Upon seeing this do not panic but wait for the ranger guide to establish the truth of the matter.

What is the packing list for Gorilla trekking In Kahuzi Biega National Park?

• 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 a 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 a 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 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

Contact our team of experts for more information concerning the age limit for trekking lowland gorillas.