How to Get to Kahuzi Biega National Park
When you think of visiting Kahuzi Biega National Park for any activity, first, you need to know and plan appropriately how you can get there. Visitors can choose the better option on how to get to Kahuzi Biega National Park for a vacation. We have provided a complete guide on the route to Kahuzi-Biega National Park to enable you to plan your next Congo tour to this enchanting destination. The most popular adventure that is a major draw of most tourists to Kahuzi-Biega Park is Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking.
How to get to Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo by road
Road transportation is a perfect ground alternative means for visitors to access Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Embarking on the road travel to Kahuzi-Biega is possible starting from the heart of the beautiful Kigali City, about 6 to 7 hours’ drive. Driving from Kigali Rwanda to Kahuzi-Biega includes a border crossing that is the Rusizi border. From the Rusizi border, visitors can clear with the authorities and proceed for another 1.5 hours to Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
The Kigali-Rusizi border is one of the commonly used routes by visitors on the Congo tour to Kahuzi-Biega National Park. It is known for its scenic beauty characterized by rolling hills from Rwanda and tea farms. The entire journey gets you a scenic drive with a full-time engaging safari driver.
Visitors can also make the best use of the Bukavu route which is a 40 km drive approximately 1.5 hours’ drive up to Kahuzi-Biega park entrance.
Guests who plan to connect from Burundi can spend about 3 hours while driving and the journey includes border crossing at Ruwa and Rusizi. This is considerably the shortest route to Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo.
Visitors who plan to set off from Uganda can drive up to Musanze where they can have a night stay and proceed to Kahuzi-Biega the following day. The Uganda route to Kahuzi-Biega is notably the longest.
Getting to Kahuzi-Biega by water
There is an option of reaching Kahuzi-Biega National Park by water transportation. You can make good use of the ferry services which operate from Goma to Bukavu. The ferry navigates through the scenic Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu. Visitors can take speed boats and spend about 3 hours or opt for the public boats 4 to 5 hours. On arrival at Bukavu, you can proceed to the park by road and using a 4×4 tourist vehicle.
How to get to Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo by air
The best way for visitors to get to Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo by air is by taking a flight from the Kigali International Airport to Kamembe Airport located around the Rusizi border area. At the Rusizi border point, you can be transferred by road up to the Park, about a 1.5-hour drive. There is also an option of taking the flight to Goma International Airport in Congo where you can be transferred up to Kahuzi-Biega Park about 230 km.
There are many alternatives on how to get to Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo. Visitors can choose an option that is best suited to them and also consider their location.
How to prepare yourself for a great journey to Kahuzi-Biega
Relevant travel documentation is essential for you to have access to Congo and Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The valuable documents visitors should have for their journey to Kahuzi-Biega include a valid visa and permits. Visitors also require a yellow fever certificate and all these are essential for border crossing to Congo.
Packing right is also essential for a well-planned trip to Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The essential items to include on the packing list include a rain jacket, insect repellents, a camera, a first aid kit, long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, a waterproof daypack or backpack, valid gorilla permits, visas, and more.
All about Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo
Kahuzi-Biega Congo is most popular for its rich ecosystem and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site for a good reason. Kahuzi-Biega protects more than the Eastern lowland gorillas and is an extensive protected area in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park was officially created in 1970 by Belgian Wildlife Conservationist & photographer – Adrien Deschryver. In the 1980s, it was recognized as a UNESCO Site thanks to its biodiversity. The park derives its name from the two scenic dormant volcanoes –Kahuzi and Biega.
Kahuzi-Biega alone extends up to 6000 sq. km and is home to over 137 mammal species and 350 bird species. The different wildlife to explore in the Kahuzi-Biega Park include the Eastern lowland gorillas, Dent’s Mona monkeys, Angolan black monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, bush buffaloes, Eastern needle-clawed galagos, forest hogs, bosman’s pottos, Maclaud’s horseshoe bat, Alexander’s bush squirrels, otter shrew, aquatic civet, and Mount Kahuzi climbing mouse.
The birds include the African green broad bill, Rockefeller, Congo peafowl, yellow crested-helmet shrike, and more.
Activities to do in Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking
A visit to Kahuzi-Biega is never complete without up close with the Grauer’s gorillas in the wild. The Grauer’s gorillas (Eastern lowland gorillas) are part of the Eastern gorilla species. Kahuzi-Biega is the only park with already habituated families. Embarking on the Eastern lowland gorilla trek involves exploring in depth the unique behaviors of Eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat, and taking pictures. The treks are conducted with a professional and experienced park guide from Kahuzi-Biega. Gorilla permits for exploring the Grauer’s gorillas cost USD 450 per person.
Mountain climbing/hiking
Kahuzi-Biega hiking expeditions involve exploring the scenic dormant Kahuzi and Biega Volcanoes. The hikes take you on an elevation challenge as you conquer Kahuzi 3308 meters and Mt. Biega at 2790 meters. The hike to and from the summits takes about 6 hours and you embark on the trek journey together with an experienced guide.
Birding
A bird-watching expedition in this Park takes you on a search for the interesting birds in this protected area. The park holds 350 bird species including the Congo peafowl, African green broadbill, Shelley’s crimsonwing, Handsome francolins, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Long-crested eagles, Rwenzori turacos, yellow chested helmet, red-eyed doves, Cassin’s flycatchers, purple-headed starling, stuhlmann’s starling, chestnut-winged starling, Amethyst starling, white-eyed slaty flycatchers, Archer’s robin chat, African dusky flycatchers, brown-chested alethe, white-starred robin, Ethiopian thrush, and Abyssinian thrush.
Other birds to identify include African harrier hawks, tawny eagles, crowned eagles, black kite, martial eagles, speckled mousebirds, grey-cheeked hornbill, green wood-hoopoe, bar-tailed trogon, cardinal woodpeckers, olive woodpecker, tullberg’s woodpeckers, yellow-billed barbet, western green tinker birds, Elliot’s woodpeckers, African golden oriole, double-toothed barbet, and more.
Nature walks
Guided nature walks can be enjoyed along the established walk trails. As you navigate through the enriching natural forest, expect to come across primates and birds. The Marais Musisi Trail or Tshibati Waterfall Trail is such a rewarding nature walking trail worth exploring in the Park. Along the way, expect to encounter scenic swamps, bamboo forests, and waterfalls. There are also several playful primates to be spotted along most of these trails.
Visitors can also connect to Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre which is not far from Kahuzi-Biega National Park headquarters. Chimpanzees and other primates are sheltered in the Lwiro Rehabilitation Centre and visitors can have a deep understanding of their behavior and conservation efforts.
Accommodation
The notable accommodation options in and around Kahuzi-Biega Congo include among others Mount Kahuzi Hotel, Orchids Safari Club, Coco Lodge, and Hotel Exodus Bukavu.
