Travel information about Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park
Top Destinations for Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Gorilla trekking is one of the incredible safari adventures to do in Africa as you get to encounter and trek the majestic Gorillas in their natural forest vegetation habitat. Gorilla Trekking Adventures are done in company of ranger guides who inform you about the various safari destinations as well as the Gorillas.
You shall later get a chance to watch the remarkable Gorillas as they take you through their daily livelihood and style as they survive in the forest. Gorillas are gentle and special specie of primates that share aver 98% of human DNA. The splendid and highly endangered great apes inhabit the thick jungles of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Uganda these endangered mountain gorillas are tracked in two national parks that’s Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park both located in the south western part of Uganda in a distance of about 8-10 hours’ drive from the Kampala the capital city where as in Rwanda, they are found at Volcanoes National Park situated in the Northwestern part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri Musanze district requiring you to transfer for about 2-3 hours.
Cost of Gorilla trekking permits in Africa
Gorilla Trekking is an exceptional safari adventure to be done on holiday in Africa. The adventure offers travelers a chance to trek and watch the rare species of Mountain and Eastern Lowland Gorillas in their habitats. To trek the Gorillas however, travelers need to have valid Gorillas Trekking Permits to allow them access into the parks and the cost of these varies from one country to another and are obtained from the many organizations / offices in these countries.
In Uganda, the gorillas Trekking Permit is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and these cost US $800 per person interested. In Rwanda, they are obtained from the Rwanda Development Board and these cost US $1500 per person. In DR Congo, these are received from the Virunga National Park headquarters and cost US $400 per person.
Top 5 Gorilla Trekking Destinations in Africa
Gorilla Trekking is very exciting as an adventure as you get to encounter the rare species of Gorillas in their natural forest habitat.
In Uganda
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda happens in two different safari destinations i.e Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
1. Bwindi Forest National Park
Bwindi Forest National Park is located in the South Western Part of Uganda and know to offer amazing Gorilla Trekking adventures.
The Park is home to roughly half of the global mountain gorilla population with more than 20 habituated groups that can be trekked. Trekking in this park is challenging as you have to follow through very thick forest vegetation from one point to another.
Bwindi Forest National Park is found in the Southwestern part of Uganda along the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, this UNESCO-listed rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot and a premier gorilla trekking destination.
Location & Geography
Bwindi lies in southwestern Uganda, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and close to the Virunga Mountains. The park covers about 331 square kilometers (128 square miles) of dense tropical rainforest. The terrain is mountainous and rugged, with elevations ranging from 1,160 to 2,607 meters (3,800–8,550 feet) above sea level.
Best Time to Visit
Bwindi can be visited year-round, but the dry seasons are generally preferred
June to September
December to February
Rainy seasons (March–May and October–November) mean muddier trails but fewer tourists and lush scenery.
2. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is part of the Virunga volcanic range and smaller inhabiting he majestic Gorillas. The Park is known to have the Nyakagezi Gorilla family that is trekked by all travelers visiting Uganda. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, but one of its most spectacular. Located in the far southwest of Uganda, the park is part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area, shared with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Though compact in size (just 33.7 square kilometers), Mgahinga offers dramatic volcanic scenery, rare wildlife, and an intimate gorilla trekking experience. Mgahinga protects the Ugandan slopes of three extinct volcanoes in the Virunga Mountain range: Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo. These volcanoes create breathtaking landscapes of bamboo forests, montane woodlands, lava caves, and alpine vegetation. Other than Gorillas, travelers can trek the Golden Monkeys too.
Best Time to Visit
Dry seasons are ideal for trekking:
June to September
December to February
Rainy seasons offer lush scenery but muddier trails.
3. Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) – The most famous gorilla trekking destination, located in the stunning Virunga Mountains. It offers 10–12 habituated gorilla groups with excellent hiking and often shorter trekking times.
Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s premier wildlife destination and one of the best places in the world to see endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Located in northwestern Rwanda, the park forms part of the greater Virunga Conservation Area shared with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Covering approximately 160 square kilometers, the park protects lush montane rainforest, bamboo forests, and five dramatic volcanic peaks. Getting to the Park requires you to transfer using both road and air which are preferred by the travelers. By road, the travelers can transfer from Kigali for a period of 2 to 3 hours till they reach Musanze Ruhengeri/ Kinigi and by Air, they catch flights from Kigali to Ruhengeri.
Best Time to Visit
Dry seasons are ideal:
June to September
December to February
However, gorilla trekking is available year-round.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Gorilla Trekking in the DR Congo happens in two different safari destinations i.e Virunga National Park which offers amazing Mountain Gorilla trekking adventures and Kahuzi Biega National Park which offers eastern Lowland gorilla trekking tours.
4. Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park (DRC) is one of Africa’s oldest protected areas and a core part of mountain gorilla range (shared with Rwanda and Uganda), with several habituated gorilla families available for treks. The Park is among the most biologically diverse protected areas situated in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of the Congo spanning an area of more than 7,800 square kilometers along the borders with Uganda and Rwanda. The Park includes active volcanoes, vast savannas, and rare wildlife.
Best Time to Visit
Virunga National Park
The best time to visit Virunga National Park depends on what you want to do, but the dry seasons are generally ideal for most activities.
Dry Seasons (Best Overall)
June to September (Peak Season)
December to February
June–September is generally considered the best period overall.
5. Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi-Biega National Park (DRC) is a great place to see the eastern lowland gorillas in their rainforest habitat. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of Central Africa’s most important conservation areas and the best place in the world to see eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas) in the wild. Located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo near the city of Bukavu.
The Eastern Lowland Gorillas trekked here are Larger than mountain gorillas, Broader-chested and have adapted to the lowland tropical forests. There are many habituated gorilla families that can be trekked in the park. Trekking the Lowland Gorillas is the same as the Mountain Gorillas giving you exceptional adventures that are unforgettable and worthwhile.
Best Time to Visit
The Park can be visited anytime around the year although the best time/ months to visit for trekking are June to September and December to February.
Dry seasons make trekking easier, though gorilla viewing is possible year-round.
Rainy seasons (March–May, October–November) bring muddy trails but lush scenery.