4 days Kahuzi Biega national park

This 4-day Kahuzi Biega national park visit provides the opportunity to see lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo and spend time at the Lwiro chimpanzee sanctuary with orphaned chimpanzees. Lowland gorillas are found in a number of countries in West Africa, including Niger, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of Congo.

Kahuzi Biega national park is the best place to see lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kahuzi Biega national park is located in Bukavu, which lies in the south of the Democratic Republic of Congo and is home to some of the world’s lowland gorillas.

Through the Rusizi border crossing between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you can access this park. Lowland gorillas are an endangered species because there are approximately 100,000 of them left in the world.

Trip Highlights

• Day 1: Drive from Kigali and cross to Bukavu.
• Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park.
• Day 3: Lwiro Chimpanzee sanctuary.
• Day 4: Drive to Kigali.

Trip Description

Day 1: Drive from Kigali and cross to Bukavu.

You will be picked up by your driver guide upon arrival at Kahuzi Biega. In view of the fact that the journey will take eight hours, it is expected that you will begin in the morning. After driving south of Rwanda, you may visit the Butare museum and stop for lunch in Butare.

Continue driving until you reach the Rusizi border. Upon arrival, you will check in and cross the border to Bukavu. Upon arrival at your hotel, you will check in and settle in while you await dinner and the night’s accommodations.

Day 2: Lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park.

Start your day by waking up very early and having a simple breakfast in your hotel. Then you will head to the Kahuzi Biega national park for the morning briefing before you participate in any activities.

While in the forest, the ranger guides will provide a few guidelines regarding what to expect and what is the accepted code of conduct.

Afterward, you will hire any necessary equipment, such as porters or walking sticks, and head into the forest.

After hiking for about two hours, you will meet your gorilla family for the day. After spending a magical hour with them at 6 meters distance, you will exit the forest and reconnect with your driver guide who will take you back to your hotel for a late lunch.

In the evening, you may take a guided community visit and get back to the hotel in time for dinner and a second night.

Day 3: Lwiro Chimpanzee sanctuary visit

On the 3rd day of your 4 days Kahuzi Biega national park, After breakfast, your driver guide will be waiting to take you to the Lwiro Chimpanzee sanctuary. Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary provides a home for chimpanzees who may have been orphaned by poachers very early in their lives.

Furthermore, there are chimpanzees that have been injured by poachers and have been rescued. You will be able to participate in the daily operations of the facility as well as connect back to your accommodation for another night.

Day 4: Drive back to Kigali.

After waking up in time for breakfast at your hotel, prepare your luggage for the drive back to Kigali. Taking a 10-minute drive from Bukavu, you will cross over to Rwanda and then embark on an 8-hour transfer to Kigali via the Nyungwe forest on the way back. The Butare museum can also be visited en route if it was not possible the day before to do so.

Upon arrival at Kigali, you will proceed to Butare or Gisakura for an en route lunch and be dropped off at the hotel or airport depending on your instructions.

Trip includes:

• Safari vehicle with fuel
• Full time English/ French speaking driver guide
• DR Congo tourist visa
• Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
• Lowland gorilla permits
• Lwiro Chimpanzee sanctuary visit
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
• Bottled water

Trip excludes:

• International flights
• PCR test
• Personal expenses like tips, laundry, gratuities, airtime
• Optional Activities