Visit Nyungwe Forest and Lowland Gorilla in Kahuzi Biega, Congo

Nyungwe Forest National Park is the largest remaining tract of montane rain forest in East Africa. Nyungwe is a remarkable rich centre of biodiversity. More than 1,050 plant species, 250 Albertine Rift Endemics and 200 orchids, along with at least 120 butterfly species. The vertebrate fauna includes 32 amphibians, 38 reptiles, 85 mammals and 310 bird species of which about 15% are Albertine Rift Endemics.

Primates are the main attraction, 13 species are present including chimpanzee with a population estimated at 500-1000 which is usually tracked at a short notice or even the sound they make in the jungle, several other monkeys are readily seen; including the L’Hoest’s monkey and acrobatic Ruwenzori colobus.

Nyungwe is also highly alluring to birders, botanist and keen walkers, with its 130 network of walking trails and the only sight for suspended canopy walk, the park features few tourist itineraries, because the forest trails require a lot of stamina than Volcanoes National Park.

Chimpanzee tracking starts in the morning and its best to carry a day pack where you have a couple of liters of water, have long trousers, the long-sleeved shirt, rain jacket, the hiking boots and a hat. Chimpanzees at the park are being habituated which means they are used to human beings. Chimp tracking here is although more hit-and-miss than gorilla tracking in Virunga’s, partly because these smaller and less sedentary apes are usually found either feeding high in the trees or moving swiftly along the ground.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is situated in Bukavu town near the western bank of Lake Kivu in the borders of Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The park generates its name from the two volcanoes of Kahuzi and Biega, which are covered by the forest. Its land area makes it one of the biggest national parks in Congo and the whole of Africa sheltering a variety of wildlife life and birds.

Kahuzi Biega National Park is a home top over 125 eastern lowland gorillas, which are scientifically called Grauer’s gorilla, and is the largest gorilla specie compared to mountain gorillas, western lowland gorillas and the cross-river gorillas.

Kahuzi Biega National Park offers all you need on a gorilla safari. Being a home to the eastern lowland gorillas, gorilla trekking is the key activity done in the national park. An encounter with eastern lowland gorillas is an exceptional wildlife experience you should not miss out on your safari to Africa.

The large size of these gorilla species makes photography clear which provide travelers with memorable experiences. The trekking rules and regulations are similar to those of mountain gorillas and travelers must endeavor to follow the trekking these guidelines.

To ease the trekking experience, two families of eastern lowland gorillas have been habituated for trekking. Other activities that can be done include volcano climbing, forest walks, and cultural tours as well as bird watching.