3-Day Lowland Gorilla Trek in Kahuzi-Biega National Park

This 3-Day Lowland Gorilla Trek in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, or a 3-day eastern lowland gorilla tour, starts and ends in Kigali/Rwanda. In Kahuzi Biega National Park, located in the South-Kivu province in the DRC, you’ll see a species of lowland gorillas different from the mountainous ones found in Virunga National Park in the North-Kivu. Both lowland and mountain gorillas are endangered species.

Day 1: Arrival

Meeting at the Cyangugu border. Meet our staff at the border, and receive assistance with the formalities. Then, cross the border and check in at your Hotel. If you arrive early, you can take an optional tour of Bukavu city.

Places to visit include the cathedral, the big brewery (Bralima), the markets, the hydroelectric centre, and the famous Panzi hospital, amongst other places of interest. Overnight in Bukavu.

Day 2: Lowland Gorilla Treks

After breakfast at your Hotel, it is time to head to the Tshivanga Station, where the gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park starts. You’ll receive a short briefing about lowland gorilla tracking. Following the briefing, you begin your journey along narrow jungle paths to meet the gorillas.

The length of this hike depends on the gorillas‘ location. Some days, it can be a 20-40-minute walk from the road into the forest; other days, it can take over an hour to reach the lowland gorillas, as they are always on the move in search of food. After this lifetime experience, return to Bukavu. Overnight in Bukavu.

Day 3: Transfer Back to Kigali

After a relaxed breakfast, you will drive back to Rwanda- Kigali, crossing via the Cyangugu border in the morning. You will arrive in Kigali late in the afternoon.

What’s Inclusive

Gorilla permit
DRC visa
Drinking water
All transportation
Accommodation
A professional driver/guide

What’s Exclusive?

International/domestic flights
Round-trip Kigali airport taxi transfer (we can organise it for you on request)
Meals and drinks
Optional tours (city tour)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, etc.)
Tips
Other expenses

Know Before You Go

When is the best time to visit?

For the visiting period, the gorilla trek is an ongoing activity. We have two main seasons: the ‘dry season’ and the ‘rainy season’. The ‘dry season’ (18 to 27 C ) is from June to August. During this period, gorillas were hard to find because they moved frequently in search of food.

So tourists in this period must expect to walk a lot before finding the gorillas. However, the pictures are apparent at this time. In the ‘rainy season’, from September to May, gorillas are stable because they find food quickly. Tourists need quality cameras to have nice pictures and must bring raincoats.

What To Bring

Money for your expenses (in the DRC, you can use US dollars everywhere, but make sure you have new bills without any cuts or tears.
ATMs in Goma/Bukavu give US Dollars. In Goma/Bukavu, only new notes are accepted (above 2009 series),
waterproof solid walking boots and long socks, which are comfortable for a tropical mountain forest (remember that one of the most common situations is to find the red ants along the trail)
outfit with adapted colours for wildlife observation (Khaki clothes are most preferred),
raingear, a few long-sleeve shirts, slippers, a sweater for cool evenings, sun protection, a hat, sunglasses, sun cream, and insect repellent with DEET.
video/photo camera: a 200 mm or longer lens is beneficial; reserve batteries; torch.
binoculars, and gloves to grip vegetation.
It’s also best to have multiple layers of clothing since temperatures tend to fluctuate.
First Aid Kit includes rehydration sachets, anti-diarrhoea medicine, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids, motion sickness pills, lip balm, eye drops and personal medication.
Visitors are to bring their own face masks and hand sanitiser.

Meeting Point: Rusizi 1 Border

Cancellation Policy: For cancellations up to 2 days before the tour, a refund of 80% of the tour price.

Price: Adult – 1 to 4 USD 1800/person | Child 1 to 4 USD 1600 /person