The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a protected area near Bukavu town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is situated near the western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Established in 1970 by the Belgian photographer and conservationist Adrien Deschryver, the park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, which are within its limits. With an area of 6,000 square kilometres (2,300 sq mi), Kahuzi-Biega is one of the biggest national parks in the country. Set in both mountainous and lowland terrain, it is one of the last refuges of the rare species of Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri), an endangered category under the IUCN Red List. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1980 for its unique biodiversity of rainforest habitat and its eastern lowland gorillas
Day 1
Goma – Bukavu This evening, you’ll be picked up from your hotel around 5 pm and transferred to the harbor. Tonight we will take the shared night boat to Bukavu on the beautiful Lake Kivu via Idjwi Island. We will spend the whole night tonight in the boat traveling. Accommodation: On board the boat in rooms. Dinner: On board the boat.
Day 2
Bukavu – Kahuzi Biega National Park This morning will be an early one as we disembark at Bukavu harbor around 7 am. From here, we will take the vehicle and drive to Kahuzi Biega National Park precisely in the southern part at Chivanga. Once we arrive at the National Park Headquarters, you will be briefed by the Park staff and prepare for the day. We can enjoy a quick cup of coffee here before we enter the park. Today we will be accompanied by armed Park Rangers as we embark on our Eastern Low Land Gorillas trekking. A typical visit will start with a 1-2 hour trek, in search of the Gorillas. After the trekking, we will drive to Lwiro where there is the Scientific Research Center which was built in 1947 by Belgians. Here, you’ll have a chance to visit the Chimps’ sanctuary, the museum, the library, the biodiversity room, and snakes in cages. Around 1 pm this afternoon, we will enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant in Lwiro. This evening, we will retrieve back to Lwiro Guest House where accommodation is on a sharing basis Accommodation: Guest house in Lwiro and dinner.
Day 3:
Bukavu – Goma After an early breakfast, around 7 am, and check-out at the Guest House, we will drive to Chiwanaga to witness Pygmy tribe fishermen who will demonstrate cultural dance and songs. At 10 am we will drive back to Bukavu harbor and take another shared speed boat back to Goma. The boat will arrive in Goma at approximately 1:45 pm where you’ll be transferred back to your dwelling place or hotel.