TREKKING LOWLAND GORILLAS IN KAHUZI-BIEGA NATIONAL PARK

TREKKING LOWLAND GORILLAS IN KAHUZI-BIEGA NATIONAL PARK

It is of common knowledge that tourism in the Democratic Republic of Congo is rare, probably because of the insecurities that perturbed the country for so long. But for the adventurous travelers, those that are not ready to only read one page of the world, are the ones with the guts to venture into DR Congo.

Undoubtedly, just like all other African countries, DR Congo is blessed with varsity wildlife, indigenous cultures and geological phenomena that cannot easily be found anywhere else in Africa and less the world.

Safaris in Congo take tourists to see both the mountain gorillas and the lowland gorillas in their natural habitats, have a cultural encounter with the ancient forest pygmies that are still practicing their traditional way of life in the jungle. Meet the bonobos and the okapi, the two rare species not found anywhere else on planet earth and also hike up various volcano summits.

If not all, then most of the Congo safaris head to the eastern part of Congo for mountain gorillas just following the aggressive marketing and publicity that these great apes have received, majorly in Uganda and Rwanda.

But it’s high time the world trotters opened their eyes to the hidden treasures of Congo. The country simply offers more than just mountain gorillas. Having visited Virunga national park, Nyiragong Mountain and maybe Idjwi Island, its time you made a safari to Kahuzi Biega national park.

Kahuzi Biega National park is a hidden gem that has been less explored yet it presents unique adventures in peaceful environment. Covering a total space area of about 600000 square kilometers, the park was established in 1970. It is a UNESCO world heritage site located in eastern DR Congo covered with marshlands, swamps, bogs and tropical rain forests that tourists enjoy on trips in Kahuzi Biega.

The principal attraction in the park are the eastern lowland gorillas noted as the largest group of the sub-species of gorillas. Just like the mountain gorillas, the lowland gorillas feature a jet black coat that turns into silver after maturity but differentiated by their huge hands, large and shorter bodies, short muzzle and shorter head hair.

Kahuzi Biega national park is the only destination with the biggest number of eastern lowland gorillas amounting to over 400 species divided in 9 families habituated, though one group is currently open for trekking.

Trekking the lowland gorillas is an experience like no other, walking through the tropical forests covered with muddy grounds in search of the forest giants, having to pave your way out and avoid the thorny plants can never fail to thrill any trekker. And finally when the gorilla family is spotted, it becomes a magical moment. It’s simply the greatest reward of all the hustles and bustles encountered in search of the forest giants. The one hour spent with them makes every step made in the trek worth it.

The gorilla trekking permit fee is 450 US dollars, a price so much cheaper compared to Uganda’s 600 USD gorilla permit and 1500 USD gorilla permit in Rwanda. Trekking starts in the morning with a simple briefing at the park headquarters and it takes one to eight hours depending on the luck of the trekkers. One group can take one hour to spot a gorilla family, and the other spends the whole without even seeing them.

All you need to carry after getting the gorilla permit is the; rain jacket, drinking water, camera, snacks, long trousers and hiking shoes and you are good to go.

Travelers in Kahuzi Biega national park can also engage in bird watching to have a chance to spot some of the 347 bird species that home here and including those on the IUCN Red list such as the Yellow-crested Helmet-Shrike, Congo Peafowl, African Green Broadbill and the Rockefeller’s Sunbird. Still visitors here can hike up to the top of Mountain Kahuzi Biega.

The park can never fail any trotter at any time, just book your trip to Congo’s Kahuzi Biega national park for lifelong memories.