Lowland gorilla trekking safaris are exclusive to Kahuzi Biega National Park. Eastern lowland gorillas are part of the Great Ape family and are the biggest of all four gorilla subspecies. They are endemic to Kahuzi Biega National Park, meaning it is the only place you can experience lowland gorilla trekking safaris.
Kahuzi Biega National Park is located in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in the Southern Kivu province. The park was gazetted in 1970 and is home to Eastern lowland gorillas, golden monkeys, and many other wildlife species. It is because of this diversity that the park is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Lowland gorilla trekking safaris are the main activity in the park, ideal for those interested in encountering the rare primates.
Eastern lowland gorillas live in families led by a dominant male called a silverback. To get and sustain that position, they fight and challenge any male contenders. Eastern lowland gorillas also fight for territories when they encounter another gorilla family.
The eastern lowland gorilla diet comprises plant vegetation and shoots. Lowland gorillas rarely drink water, as the vegetation they feed on is covered with dew given the temperature of the place. There are currently 14 lowland gorilla families in Kahuzi Biega National Park, but only two are open to tourism. The two families are Chimanuka and Bonanne, with 10 and 30 individual gorillas respectively.
Only 8 individuals are allowed to trek to each gorilla family a day, staying in their presence for an hour.
The Trekking Experience
You are expected to report to the park headquarters for a briefing about the lowland gorilla trekking safari. Here you are given guidelines, including rules and regulations to follow while in the park and in the presence of the gorillas.
Kahuzi Biega National Park offers two lowland gorilla trekking experiences: the normal trek and lowland gorilla habituation experience. On the normal lowland gorilla trek, you hike for about 1 to 2 hours, and once you meet the gorillas are allowed to stay in their presence for one hour.
You are required to keep at least 10 meters away from the lowland gorillas. This is aimed at reducing contact or threatening the territorial integrity of the gorillas, as they can easily feel threatened and charge at you. Gorillas share over 95% DNA similar to human beings. With this, they can also easily contract communicable illnesses from humans; therefore, keeping the distance helps to manage these.
The Eastern lowland gorilla habituation experience is more adventurous as it gives you up to 4 hours in their presence. This is ideal for primatologists who seek to learn more about the rare Apes. It is also recommended for photographers who want to capture more details about these primates.
Best time for Lowland Gorilla Trekking safaris
The dry months from June to September and from December to February are the best times for lowland gorilla trekking safaris. With minimal rainfall disturbances, it is easy to move through the park trails. Wildlife Photography is also great in the dry season with the natural lighting and no rainfall interference in the process.
You can still enjoy the lowland gorilla trekking safaris during the wet months. The overall weather condition of the park is wet, and rainfall is unpredictable even in the dry season. It is therefore recommended to pack appropriately even in the dry season.
Accommodation options
Bukavu has the best accommodation options to base from when going for lowland gorilla trekking safaris. These range from budget to deluxe and have incredible views of Lake Kivu. Examples include Orchids Safari Club, Panorama Hotel, and Hotel Elizabeth.
It takes about an hour to drive from Bukavu to Kahuzi Biega National Park. The Democratic Republic of Congo is generally less explored and has a lot to offer. It is an iconic primate trekking destination, home to several primates and other wildlife species. Primate Discovery Journeys and adventures to the country are most recommended.
You would need at least 3 days to visit Kahuzi Biega National Park for lowland gorillas. In case you have more time, you can explore more destinations in the area, including Ijwi Island and Lwiro Sanctuary.
We have curated several Congo safari itineraries to different destinations in the country and other less-explored destinations in East Africa. Follow us for more of these and updates from your favorite wild places.
Other Gorilla Treks
Rwanda and Uganda offer other opportunities for gorilla trekking. These two differ from Kahuzi Biega National Park’s lowland gorillas and are home to Mountain Gorillas. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda live in Volcanoes National Park in the northwestern part of the country. The park, together with Mgahinga and Virunga National Parks are part of the Virunga conservation area.
Virunga National Park is, however, currently closed because of insecurity in the park area. Volcanoes and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks, on the other hand, are open and you can visit them for Mountain Gorilla Tours. They can be accessed by both road and air transport. Air transport to the parks is by scheduled or charter flights from the major airports of the respective countries.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda is another renowned gorilla trekking destination. This has the highest mountain gorilla population with four gorilla trekking sectors. For a better understanding of Eastern lowland and mountain gorillas, we recommend a gorilla trekking safari adventure featuring the 2 species. This can start with either of the destinations depending on your schedule. Contact Us to start planning your ultimate gorilla safari adventure. You can also visit our other featured destinations, including Masai Mara in Kenya.
