KAHUZI BEIGA NATIONAL PARK

The greatest treasures of D.R Congo is mainly found in its diversity. This country is among the few remaining world’s densely vegetated nations, abundant in fauna and flora. Kahuzi Beiga national park is among the greatest treasures of D.R Cong with it being home to the critically endangered eastern lowland gorilla species. The presence of these species has been a great attraction for tourists that visit Kahuzi Beiga national park in D.R Congo.

Kahuzi Beiga national park is among the protected areas of Congo, located in the South kivu province near Bukavu town. It is found west of Lake Kivu and east of the Rwanda boarder.  The park covers a total area of 6000km and consists of two areas.  The small area of the national park covers a small part of 600km consisting of the mountainous ranges this includes the mitumba mountain range.

The larger  area of Kahuzi Park covers an area of 54000km, that stretches from the Bukavu region to Kisangani. It stretches more to housing the different water bodies of the park.  The larger area of the park is home to river Lugulu and river Luka that impute in Lualaba River. The park receives annual rains of 1800mm with temperatures between 18c to 10.4c

Kahuzi Beiga National Park was established by a British photographer; Adrien Deschryver in the year 1970. This national park was named after mountain Kahuzi and mountain Beiga, that are situated within the park. In 1980, the park was inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage and in 1997, Kahuzi Beiga Park was listed as world heritage in danger. Due to the political instabilities that occurred in the country by that time.

Activities in Kahuzi Beiga national park

Gorilla trekking

This is a major highlight for visitors that visit the national park. Kahuzi Beiga national park is home to the remaining  eastern low land gorillas and can be trekked in this park. This is the most rewarding activity to engage in while at the park. Encountering man’s closest cousin, holding 98% of the human DNA. The gorilla trekking activity in the park rewards an encounter with the critically endangered eastern lowland gorillas.

Having to witness these species in the jungle as they play, feed from the forest, rest and interact with each other. This activity takes about 2 to 8 hours depending on the location and movement of the gorillas. A forest guide is always in lead of trek, through the renowned trails where the gorillas can be found. A one hour interaction is allowed to spend with the gorillas while taking pictures and collecting memories with them.

The activity begins with a short briefing at the park’s headquarters about the do’s and don’ts’s while trekking the eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Beiga Park.

The cost for trekking and having a primate experience with the gentle apes of Kahuzi Beiga national park goes for $400.  Using a paid permit that is valid per one trek. D.R Congo has the cheapest gorilla permits from those from Uganda and Rwanda in East Africa.

Hiking

The park is endowed with numerous mountains that can be hiked on a gorilla safari or tour. The most prominent mountains of the park include; mountain Kahuzi and mountain Beiga. Hiking and nature walks can as well be done in the different walking trails that are found in the park.

Bird watching

Kahuzi Beiga park is home to over 349 bird species located in its forests. The park has about 42 endemic bird species located in its forests. Bird species that can be sighted in the park include the Albertine owlet, yellow crested helmet shrike, Maclaud’s horseshoes bat, African yellow white eye, Northern fiscal Rufous, African golden oriole, bar-tailed trogon, Grey-cheeked hornbill, yellow –bellied waxbill, western citril, Bar –tailed trogon, African hobby, Albertine sooty boubou, cinnamon –chested Bee chested bee eater, yellow –billed barbet, red eye dove, Black cuckoo, martial eagle, handsome francolin etc.

Visit of the Lwiro primate rehabilitation center.

The lwiro rehabilitation center is located in Kahuzi Beiga national park. This is home to the orphaned chimpanzees  and other primates of the park. A visit to this center is a chance to experience the nurturing, care and feeding of the primates located at the  Lwiro primate rehabilitation center.

Accommodation at Kahuzi Beiga national park includes; mont kahuzi hotel, Orchid’s safari club hotel , hotel riviere ruziz, Elizabeth hotel Bukavu etc.

Kahuzi Beiga national park is an ideal destinations vast in flora and fauna , that are all worth a visit on  Congo safari.