3 Days Lowland Gorilla Tour
The 3 Days Lowland gorilla trek is a short Congo gorilla tour. The lowland gorilla trek tour to Kahuzi-Biega National Park allows you to explore the distinct Eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. Eastern lowland gorilla trek in Kahuzi-Biega National Park involves exploring habituated gorilla groups such as Chimanuka gorilla group, Mpungwe gorilla group, Nganwe, Bonnani gorilla group, and Mugahuka group.
During the lowland gorilla trekking adventure, you will be accompanied by the experienced guide from Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The lowland gorilla trek involves walking through the lush natural forest in Kahuzi-Biega and when you finally come across a group of Grauer’s gorillas, you will be allowed to enjoy an hour with them in the wild.
The 3 days Lowland gorilla trek will be start and end in Kigali. It will include border crossing from Rwanda to Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Tour Details
Safari Highlights for the 3 Days Lowland gorilla trek
- Lowland gorilla trekking
- Border crossing from Rwanda to Congo
- 4×4 safari vehicle for road travel
- A comfortable stay in a classic accommodation
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer to Kahuzi-Biega National Park via Bukavu
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking
Day 3: Departure from Kahuzi-Biega via Bukavu to Kigali
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up & transfer to Kahuzi-Biega National Park via Bukavu
Meet your safari guide for briefing about the 3 days lowland gorilla trek. After, you will be transferred to Bukavu and en route, your road trip will cover a stopover at Butare national museum. You will also visit the King’s Palace and Nyanza Kacukiro memorial site, then continue from Butare to check in the lodge nearby Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Accommodation option
- Orchid Safari Club
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Travel time: 6-7 hours
Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking
Get up early and enjoy a delicious cup of tea/coffee at the comfort of your lodge. You will assemble at the park offices for you to get briefed about the guidelines to follow during gorilla trekking adventure. You will also be allocated a gorilla group and park ranger guide by the official from Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
The lowland gorilla trekking expedition will go for about 2-6 hours which includes an hour for up close and personal encounter with a family of the Eastern lowland gorillas. You will walk back to have a leisurely moment with your dear ones at the lodge. The rest of the evening will include a relaxed time in the lodge and later, you will be accompanied to the scenic Tshibati waterfalls on a guided nature walk.
Accommodation option
- Orchid Safari Club
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
Day 3: Departure from Kahuzi-Biega via Bukavu to Kigali
Enjoy a heavy breakfast and after, check out of your comfortable accommodation. Set off from Kahuzi-Biega National Park to Kigali for you to be dropped off at the hotel or airport. This marks the end of 3 days lowland gorilla trek tour.
End of tour
Inclusions
- Lowland gorilla permits
- Travel on ground using a 4×4 safari vehicle
- Bottled water
- Full board accommodation and meals as per the itinerary
- Driver or guide allowances
- Park entrance fees
- All relevant government taxes
Exclusions
- Visas
- Passport
- Travel Insurance
- Telephone bills
- Laundry services
- Beverages
- Tipping
About Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the biggest park in Congo and home to the sought for wildlife. The park is 6000 sq. km and protects different animals including the Bongo antelopes, Eastern chimpanzees, Alexander’s bush squirrel, bush elephants, Mount Kahuzi climbing mouse, olive baboons, hippos, giant forest hogs, aquatic civet, and Dent’s Mona monkeys.
Other wildlife to see on Kahuzi-Biega tour include Rwenzori least otter shrew, Maclaud’s horseshoe, Bosman’s pottos, red-tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, Angolan black monkeys, Thomas tree squirrel, eastern needle-clawed galago, bongo, and others.
Bird species to find in Kahuzi-Biega National Park include yellow-chested helmet, Congo peafowl, African green broadbill, handsome francolins, long-crested eagle, African black swift, Shelley’s crimson wing, red-eyed doves, Rockefeller’s sunbird, red-faced cisticola, bus shrike, and others.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park was gazetted in 1970 and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kahuzi-Biega is set west of Bukavu town, south Kivu province and a section of the park is lying in the Mitumba Mountain range of the scenic Albertine rift valley and the other is a lowland terrain.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park offers refuge to over 136 mammal species. These include a great population of the Eastern lowland gorillas. Kahuzi-Biega happens to be the only place where the Eastern lowland gorillas are open for trekking. Each of the Kahuzi-Biega gorilla permits cost USD 450 per person and you can book one in advance at least 2-6 months prior to the actual date of trekking Eastern lowlands.
How to get to Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo
Kahuzi-Biega is accessible by road from Kigali City and this is about 6-7 hours’ drive. From Kigali to Kahuzi-Biega, your journey comes with incredible views of the countryside. Visitors cross from Bukavu and proceed to the park about 30 km.
Is Kahuzi-Biega National Park safe and secure for lowland gorilla trekking
Kahuzi-Biega is a favorite destination for Eastern lowland gorilla trekking. Planning a safe and secure gorilla tour to Kahuzi-Biega National Park should be done closely with the local tour operator on the ground. Kahuzi-Biega Park is found in the Eastern part of the D. R. Congo and any plans to visit the park should be done with consideration of an experienced park ranger guide
Where to stay
Kahuzi-Biega National Park features different lodges or accommodation choices around or close to the park. They include Hotel Elizabeth, Coco Lodge Bukavu, Orchid Safari Club, Panorama Hotel, Hotel Begonias Bukavu, and others.
What to take on 3 Days Lowland gorilla trek
The important items to consider on the packing list for gorilla trekking include waterproof hiking boots, a camera free from the flashlight, a daypack, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gardening gloves, first aid kit, insect repellent, a valid gorilla permit, a visa, a safari hat, anti-malarial tablets or medicine, passport, extra camera batteries, and many others.
