Kahuzi biega national park
Kahuzi Biega national park is situated in eastern part of Democratic republic of Congo with Bukavu as the nearest town to the park, Kahuzi Biega national park is ranked as one of the oldest and largest protected area in east and central Africa covering an area of 6000 square kilometres. Half of the land the park stretches through is dominated by mountains (mountainous), this region is dominated by Mitumba mountain ranges from great rift valley measuring 7.4 kilometres of length. Eastern region is another mountainous region of the park stretches over 230 square meters and the larger part covering 5400 kilometres of its lowland which breaks off from Bukavu and Kisangani towns. This area is drained by two rivers that is river Luka and river Lugulu which pour their waters into river Lualaba, the mountainous nature of Kahuzi Biega national park favours eastern lowland gorillas to thrive through the park.
Kahuzi Biega national park is a unique unfamiliar site in sub-Sahara Africa with vegetation cover of its unique kind dominating altitude range of 600 meters to 2600 meters above the sea level, the park is dominated by tropical rain bamboo forest which grows between 2350 meters of width ad 2600 meters of length.
History of Kahuzi Biega national park
Kahuzi Biega national park was first gazetted as a forest reserve in 1937 so as to protect the various species of montane forest, later in 1970 the reserve was upgraded to a game reserve under the orders and efforts of Adrien Deschryver a famous European governor, a Belgian photographer and a conservationist.
ATTRACTION IN KAHUZI BIEGA NATIONAL PARK
Primates
low land mountain gorillas
Kahuzi Biega national park is famous for being a home to the rare apes that is eastern lowland gorillas, the park is dominated by tropical rain bamboo forest at various altitude level range of 2350 meters to 2600 meters which make a perfect a home for these stunning eastern lowland gorillas. Eastern lowland gorillas are sometimes mistaken with mountain gorillas but the difference between the two is that eastern lowland gorillas live at low altitudes and mountain gorillas live and found at the high altitudes. These gorillas are only seen
other primates
Kahuzi Biega national park is a prominent habitat for recognised biodiversity, a part from eastern lowland mountain gorillas the park is also a home to many primates such as olive baboon, L’hoest’s monkeys ,Red and white colobus monkeys, owl faced monkeys, common chimpanzees, maclaud’s horse shoe cat ,bongo ,civets ,Alexander’s bush squirrels, and many more
Mammals
Kahuzi Biega national park is a habitant to approximately 136 species which thrive in the most part of the park including the tropical rain bamboo forest, these mammals in the park include bushbucks, Eastern needle clawed galago, giant forest hog, Albertine owlet, African forest elephants, dwarf galago, Ruwenzori least otter shrew many others
Birds
Kahuzi Biega national park is covered by tropical rain bamboo forest and drained by river Luka and river Lugulu which are perfect habitant for birds estimated to be approximately 349 species, bird species habiting in the park include Congo peafowl, African green broad bill, Rockefeller’s sun bird, yellow crested helmet shrike, Ruwenzori turaco, grauer’s warbler
Volcanoes
Kahuzi Biega national park hosts two volcanoes that is Kahuzi standing at the altitude of 3308 meters and Biega standing at the altitude of 2790 meters, these volcanoes do not only give a scenic view but also facilitate volcano hiking expedition in the park.
Things to do in Kahuzi Biega national park
Low land gorilla trekking olive baboon, L’hoest’s monkeys, Red and white colobus monkeys, owl faced monkeys, common chimpanzees, maclaud’s horse shoe cat, bongo, civets, Alexander’s bush squirrels and many more
Low land gorilla trekking
Low land gorilla trekking is the trade mark and most loved activity in Kahuzi Biega national park, this activity tastes both your adventure spirit and your physical fitness as a trekker. Low land trekking involves tracking down gorillas in their habitants which takes a proximately 6-7 hours, the hours taken while trekking depends on the location of the gorillas. Low land gorilla groups trekked in Kahuzi Biega include Mpungwe gorilla family, Chimanuka gorilla family and many more, on this expedition only a group of 8 people are allowed to participate in the trekking and two great tails are used for the trekking. As a tourist to take park in the trekking you are required to in possession of a gorilla trekking permit which costs US$ 400 (individual permit for one trek).
Volcano hiking
Volcano hiking in Kahuzi Biega national park is an adventurous expedition taking place on two volcanoes that is Kahuzi volcano and Biega volcano, as you hike these volcanoes navigate through thick rain montane forests covering the volcanoes. While at the top of the volcanoes get to enjoy scenic views of lakes, swamps, mountains and also watch a variety of bird species in the forest as you hike and mammals wandering in the park, hiking is a bit challenging but very rewarding though to successful enjoy it you need to be physically fit.
Guided nature walk
Guided nature walks in Kahuzi Biega national park takes on a walk through bamboo forest trees which dominate the park, while on a walk in bamboo forest you get a chance to spot primates which live in the park such as olive monkeys, red and white colobus monkeys, bongo, civet and mammals like African forest elephants, leopards, African bush buffaloes, bushbucks as you cross through the Albertine rift valley. Guided nature walk is a perfect expedition for bird lovers as you not only spot various colourful birds but also enjoy their sweet melodic sounds.
Accommodation in Kahuzi Biega national park
Accommodation in Kahuzi Biega national park can be got from various lodges with range from luxury, mid-range and budget. These lodges are established close to the park and they include coco lodge, lake side hotel, orchids safari club, Exodus hotel and many more to choose depending on your financial status.
How to get to Kahuzi Biega national park
Kahuzi Biega national park is situated close to Bukavu town can be accessed by road and air transport from Bukavu, Goma and from Kigali capital city of Rwanda.
By road
From Bukavu town it is a 1-2 hours’ drive to the park
From Goma near Virunga national park it is a 5-6 hours’ drive
From Kigali town, you fly into Rwanda using Kigali international airport drive to the park which is a 6-7 hours’ drive.
By air
You fly on to Goma airstrip then drive to the park which takes 2 hours
You can also fly from Uganda using kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe international airport where you get a chartered domestic flight which takes only 2-3 hours to Goma airstrip then drive to the park.
Best time to visit Kahuzi Biega national park
All throughout the year is a perfect time to visit Kahuzi Biega national park, the best time to visit the park is during dry season periods which are received in the months of January, February, March, May, August, September and December. Kahuzi Biega national park receives wet seasons in months of October and November, in this period you can also the park but the disadvantage is the trails in and around the park are very slippery and muddy which greatly affects your experience.
