Lowland gorilla trekking is a thrilling primate adventure and entirely, it involves a search for the habituated family of Eastern lowland gorillas in the wild. The Eastern lowland gorillas are a subspecies of the eastern gorillas. The Eastern Lowland gorillas are distinct mountain gorillas in various ways. They have browner coats and males develop silver hair on their backs. They are small in size, but have wider skulls compared to the mountain gorillas.
Eastern Lowland gorillas tend to be more mobile than mountain gorillas and generally, males are bigger than females. Treks to see the lowland gorillas in Africa is best done while in the D.R. Congo.
Best place to visit for lowland gorilla trekking
Lowland gorilla trekking in Africa is best enjoyed while in the tropical rainforest of Kahuzi-Biega National Park. This park lies along the Eastern part of the D.R. Congo, on the Albertine rift and Congo basin, about 30km off from Bukavu town and not far from Lake Kivu. The park holds some of the habituated gorilla families.
Kahuzi-Biega takes its name from the two magnificent volcanoes that is Mount Kahuzi and Mt. Biega. Its habitat is unique and provides ideal ground for survival of the Eastern lowland gorillas.
Extending up to 6000sq.km, Kahuzi-Biega National Park features interesting habituated gorilla families. These include Chimanuka, Bonnani, Nganwe, Mugahuka, and Mpungwe. Each gorilla group comprises of about 20-30 members and beyond, with a mature adult/silverback gorilla available to lead the entire family.
How is lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega like?
Kahuzi-Biega is the only destination where you can enjoy the best of Eastern lowland gorilla trekking experience. The trek begins with an early morning briefing at the park offices (Tshivanga Visitor Center) and the park official allocates guests habituated gorilla families. Following the briefing and allocation of gorilla groups, the park guide will lead you on a search for lowland gorillas and the entire adventure is likely to go for 2-6 hours depending on how fast you walk.
On locating a family of lowland gorillas, a maximum of an hour will be availed for you to enjoy a close interaction with them, observe how they behave, take pictures and a lot more. From here, you will be accompanied back to the visitor center then proceed back to your respective accommodation options for a night stay.
How much is lowland gorilla trekking permit?
Like mountain gorilla trekking, a valid gorilla permit is an essential tool that is required of every trekker intending to visit the D.R. Congo to track lowland gorillas. One valid lowland gorilla permit is issued at USD 400 per person and can be booked through the reliable tour operator on ground.
Lowland gorilla trekking rules and regulations to follow
Some of the gorilla trekking regulations to observe on lowland gorilla trekking include;
- Maintaining a social distance of about 8-10 meters away from a family of lowland gorillas.
- Using a non-flashlight camera for taking pictures of the Eastern lowland gorillas.
- A maximum of 8 visitors are accepted to visit a habituated gorilla family.
- A park guide should be available to lead you on actual search for the lowland gorillas.
- You will be allowed to spend a maximum of an hour with a family of the Eastern lowland gorillas.
- Keep low your voice while trekking through the forest in search for lowland gorillas.
- No visitor is allowed to trek lowland gorillas when sick or ill.
- Only visitors of 15 years and above are allowed to track lowland gorillas in the wild.
- Wash your hands prior to hitting the jungles in search for lowland gorillas.
- Leave the lowland gorilla habitat cleaner than you found it. All the used bottles should be brought back and dumped at designated points at the visitor center.
- Valid gorilla permits are a must-have if you are to be allowed to trek the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
- Do not touch a lowland gorilla even when these apes rub themselves to you.
- When a lowland gorilla charges, it is important to always observe the instructions of your park guide.
- When coughing, it is advisable to cover the mouth and in case you want to sneeze, you can cover the nose.
When to travel to see lowland gorillas
The best time to travel to Kahuzi-Biega National Park to track lowland gorillas is during the dry season also known as the peak season. This is from June, July, August, September, December, January and February. But it is also possible to organize a gorilla trip to Kahuzi-Biega National Park around the wet or rainy/off months of the year that is March, April, May or October, November.
What to carry on your lowland gorilla trekking tour
Essentials to include on your lowland gorilla trekking packing list include a valid gorilla permit, a sweater, long-sleeved shirt, daypack, a camera, extra camera batteries, an insect repellent, first aid kit, long-sleeved shirt, waterproof hiking boots, and others.
Lowland gorilla trekking Vs mountain gorilla trekking
Lowland gorilla trekking is only done while in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and mountain gorillas can be tracked in any of the 4 parks in East-Central Africa; that is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park & Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda; Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the D.R. Congo.
During actual lowland gorilla trekking, the target is to explore more about the Eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat and when it comes mountain gorilla treks, the search is mainly for the rare mountain gorillas whose population stands at 1063.
Accommodation options
The available accommodation choices to consider for a night stay range from budget to luxury. These include L’Orchids Safari Club, Coco Lodge Bukavu, Exodus Hotel Bukavu, Hotel Begonias Bukavu, Lake Side Hotel Bukavu and others.
How to reach Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is reachable by road. You drive off from Kigali Rwanda and cross the Congo border at Rusizi, about 7 hours’ drive. A 4×4 tourist car is most recommended for your road trips. From Goma, you can also travel up to Kahuzi-Biega Park for you to enjoy the best of lowland gorilla trekking adventure.
