Composed of two great extinct volcanoes of Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega Established in 1970, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a perfect destination; it is situated in the Congolese eastern border and positioned in both mountainous and lowland terrain within the Albertine Rift. It possesses the unique biodiversity of the rainforest and habitat to the eastern lowland gorillas. The Park was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.
Kahuzi National park is managed by the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) who ensures concrete surveillance and sustainability practices.
Mt Kahuzi 3308m is the highest of the different volcanic mountains in the Mitumba ranges that stretches along the Albertine rift, south of Rwanda northwards into the Rwenzori Mountains west of Uganda. Also, Mt Biega 2,790m is an extinct volcano in the same Mitumba Mountain ranges, all you need to know is that Mitumba Mountain ranges lie west of Bukavu town, close to Lake Kivu that forms borderline with Rwanda.
Initially, Biega national park was gazetted to a zoological and forest reserve in 1937, later transformed and merged with Kahuzi into the current national park status 1970s, with 6,000km2 (2,300 sq mi) geographic surface area coverage. In the African Continent, Kahuzi Biega stands tall amongst the large single wildlife protected areas.
The landscape in Kahuzi Biega National Park is mostly flat lowland that spreads gently towards Lake Kivu, though Mitumba Mountain ranges and a series of volcanic mountains are standout natural features. The Kahuzi Biega National Park receives 1800mm (71 in) rainfall and 15 °C temperature on average.
The western plain portion of the park is conquered by thick wet equatorial rainforest and the eastern part of the park with rare sites in sub-Saharan Africa which displays all stages of low to highland evolution. This habitat diversity is a rich biodiversity that makes Kahuzi-Biega the second most important region for both endemic species and in terms of species diversity among which the star is the eastern lowland gorilla.
Additionally, the soils in Virunga massif are volcanic and very fertile for plant and crop growing with and very favorable for vegetation that ranges from rainforests, woodlands, grasslands, dry savannas, swamp and wetland vegetation, open woodland generating into bamboo and alpine vegetation on the summit of the mountains.
The Kahuzi Biega National Park sustains a rich diversity in land features and wildlife species; it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in1980 because of ecological importance in regulating climatic conditions with over 1,178 plant, 136 mammals and 349 bird species among others.
The park is home to the several unique wildlife species such as; Eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), Eastern needle-clawed galago, Mclaud’s horseshoe bat, Alexander’s bush squirrel, the Mount Kahuzi climbing mouse, the bongo antelope, Eastern chimpanzee, bush elephant, bush buffaloes and others are some rare resident wildlife species that are facing threat to their existence.
Gorilla trekking;
Tracking the Eastern lowland gorillas which are the largest of all gorillas is done all year round especially in May to August and November to January; there are two main families of Eastern lowland gorillas residing at this park and available for Tracking by all visitors. Lowland gorilla trekking into DR Congo in the Kahuzi Biega is one sure way of wandering into the rainforests and discovering the wild world reserved for those with high adventure adrenalin.
Hiking
The beauty of the Mitumba Mountain range and the iconic steep volcanic mountains is so captivating and inviting to adventure travelers. The travelers with high adventure adrenalin feel challenged and tempted to venture into the wilderness for scenic viewing and discovering what lies underneath. There are trail systems that travelers with resident guides follow to get to the summit of the mountains.
Bird watching
With over 349 bird species recorded in this park, there is no need of going anywhere while in your safari to Rwanda. This is a haven that makes your birding dream come to reality as you encounter that bird species you love most in the forest, open grassland, woodland, highland or open water, swamp and wetland vegetation. Kahuzi Biega National Park is the edge of the West African rainforest and closes to East Africa savannas. There are high possibilities of spotting unique bird species from both regions. Congo peas fowl, Yellow-crested helmet-shrike, Rockefellers, Ruwenzori Turaco, sunbirds, and trogons are some birds spotted in the Kahuzi Biega National Park.
Nature walking
Kahuzi Biega National Park offers several alternatives for fascinating sceneries and land features that make travelers adventure choices very realistic. There are options of wandering into the lush grasslands or walking into the rainforests to get more personal and discover the beauty of nature and the wilderness. Some attractions are located off the roads and only accessible on foot. The travelers have a double blessing of body exercise and exploring natures’ immeasurable beauty.
Camping
The Kahuzi Biega is a destination that blows many travelers’ minds away. There seems to be something to keep every traveler yearning for more. Camping safaris in the heart of the wilderness is a safari activity with a mixture of adventure, discovery, and appeal. In case of participating in the parks activitivities, such as Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking, you must have good hiking boots, raincoat, light cotton clothing is recommended. T-Shirts, short and long cotton trousers (or jeans), long-sleeved shirts or sweaters (it can be cold in the morning & evening).
To access the park yet you are Uganda or Rwanda, you will first get to Bukavu town average 30km from the border post for a night. Kahuzi Biega National Park head office is approximately 230 kilometers away by road; 3-4 hours drive from Kigali international airport. We can also fly to Kavuma airstrip for charted light aircraft for travelers in need of exploring Kahuzi Biega but have limited or prefer not to travel by road.
