Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Congo is conducted in Kahuzi-Biega national park. The national park is situated in the eastern province of Congo and is quite close to Virunga national park. This makes it very convenient for tourists to trek both mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas.
About Eastern Lowland gorillas.
The eastern lowland gorilla is one of the sub-species of the Eastern gorilla species, also known as Gorilla Beringei. These sub-species are endemic to central Africa specifically to DR Congo and they are the largest of the four gorilla sub-species. They live in low altitude areas of sub-montane forests.
These species is regarded as critically endangered under the IUCN Red List, and their population in the wild is estimated to be less than 3,800 individuals. Eastern lowland gorillas live in areas such as Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National Parks in Congo, the Tayna Gorilla Reserve, Itombwe Massif, and the Usala forest.
Eastern lowland gorillas are the largest living primates in the world with adult males weighing an average of 210 kg and adult female gorillas weighing about 169 kg. The maximum height of male eastern lowland gorillas is six feet, while females can reach an average height of 5.2 feet.
Compared to other gorilla subspecies, the eastern lowland gorilla has large hands, a short muzzle, sturdy body and a larger chest. Eastern Lowland gorillas have a life span of around 20 to 35 years in the wild and about 50 years in captivity.
They live in groups larger than those of Western gorilla species, with groups of eastern lowland gorillas reaching over 30 members. Their diet is mainly composed of fruits, leaves, stems and bark; however their diet also includes small insects like ants and termites.
Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Congo.
Visitors interested in trekking eastern lowland gorillas can do so in Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National Parks, which are located in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Congo is best done in Kahuzi-Biega national park.
Kahuzi-Biega national park in Congo is one of the largest national parks in the country. It spans over a radius of about 6,000 square kilometers. The national park is located in the southern province of Congo, in Bukavu district. The park can be accessed by visitors travelling by road or water.
Cost of Trekking Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Congo.
In order to trek lowland gorillas in Congo, you will need to purchase a gorilla trekking permit at a fee of USD 400 dollars per person. Trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega can take between 2-4 hours, inclusive of an hour that is allocated to visitors to spend with the gorillas once they have been located. It is always good to have your camera ready for this moment, just make sure that your camera’s flash light is disabled in order to avoid agitating the gorillas.
Is it safe to trek eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega national park in Congo?
Trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Congo is totally safe for any visitor. Visitors travelling to Kahuzi-Biega national park can be well assured of their security and safety of your property when visiting the park. Visitors trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega are always accompanied by very experienced park guides and armed park rangers to ensure that trekkers are safe when trekking lowland gorillas in the park.
How eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park is conducted.
Trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega national park are conducted in groups not exceeding 8 members. This is to ensure the safety on every member of the group and also not pose any threat to the gorillas by taking large numbers of trekkers. Most of the lowland gorillas in the park have been through devastating circumstances caused by poaching and civil wars, which negatively affected them especially in their interactions with humans. Although, the lowland gorilla groups that you will be trekking have been habituated, large groups of trekkers can easily spook a group of gorillas hence it is advisable to trek in small groups of 8 people.
Visitors interested in trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega are always briefed prior to the actual trekking activity. During the briefing, visitors are given guidelines with rules and regulations to follow when trekking the gorillas and also how you should behave while in the presence of a gorilla group as you don’t want to stir up trouble with an aggressive silverback.
What to pack when trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Congo.
Visitors planning on trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Congo need to pack essentials such as; long sleeved shirts, long trousers, a good pair of hiking boots, sunscreen cream and insect repellent, a cap/hat, camera, and mineral water.
Other activities you can do while tracking eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
There are other activities that visitors can also do aside from trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega, and these include; Guided nature walks, visit to the Lwiro Sanctuary, Hiking Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, as well as Bird watching, camping, and cultural encounters among others.
Where to stay when doing eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Congo.
Visitors to choose to trek eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega national park in Congo can get accommodation in facilities such as; Mount Kahuzi Hotel, Lakeside Hotel Bukavu, Orchids Safari Camp, Exodus Bukavu, and Hotel Begonias Bukavu among others.
Best Time to Trek Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Congo.
Trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Congo can best be done between June to September and January to mid-February. However, visitors can always trek lowland gorillas at any time of the year.
How to get to Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Congo.
Travelers can visit the national park after tracking mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Visitors can take a speed boat taking a maximum of 3 hours to get to Kahuzi-Biega or board a ferry of 7 hours to get park. The national park which is located 30km from Bukavu town can be accessed by visitors from Rwanda via the Rwanda-Congo border at Ruzizi, taking about 2-3 hours to get to the park by road.
