Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Twin extinct volcanoes rise over the last significant stronghold of the eastern lowland gorilla, the world's largest gorilla subspecies, just a short drive from Bukavu.
The world's stronghold for Grauer's gorillas
Named for the twin extinct volcanoes Kahuzi and Biega that dominate its skyline, this park protects the largest surviving population of the eastern lowland gorilla, or Grauer's gorilla, the biggest of all gorilla subspecies and found nowhere outside eastern DRC.
The park spans a dramatic elevation range, from montane bamboo forest around the volcanoes down to lowland rainforest in its western sector, creating habitat diversity that supports chimpanzees, forest elephants, and a wealth of Albertine Rift endemic species.
Habituated gorilla families in the highland sector, most famously the Chimanuka group, can be tracked on foot from Bukavu on Lake Kivu, making Kahuzi-Biega one of the more accessible great ape trekking destinations in the DRC.
Grauer's gorilla numbers have fallen sharply across their range due to bushmeat hunting linked to artisanal mining, making a visit here directly tied to the survival of the subspecies; see our Virunga National Park guide for the DRC's other major gorilla trekking destination.
What makes Kahuzi-Biega distinct
Kahuzi-Biega's elevation gradient, from volcanic highlands to lowland forest, supports one of eastern DRC's richest wildlife assemblages.
Grauer's gorillas
The park's highland sector holds several habituated families, including the well-known Chimanuka group, trekked daily from Bukavu.
Chimpanzees
Eastern chimpanzees range through both the highland and lowland sectors, alongside Grauer's gorillas.
Forest elephants
Forest elephants persist in the park's remoter lowland sector, though numbers have declined sharply from historic levels.
Albertine Rift endemics
The Kahuzi and Biega volcanoes support plant and bird species found only in this stretch of the Albertine Rift.
Golden monkeys & colobus
Several primate species share the bamboo and montane forest zones with the park's gorilla families.
Lake Kivu gateway
The park's proximity to Bukavu and Lake Kivu makes it one of the more logistically straightforward great ape destinations in eastern DRC.
How a Kahuzi-Biega gorilla trek comes together
Kahuzi-Biega is trekked as a day trip or short stay from Bukavu, making it more accessible than most DRC gorilla destinations.
Fly or travel to Bukavu
Bukavu, on the southern shore of Lake Kivu, is the gateway town for Kahuzi-Biega, reached by air or overland.
Secure gorilla trekking permits
Permits for habituated Grauer's gorilla families are arranged in advance through the park authority.
Highland gorilla trekking
Guided treks into the bamboo and montane forest around the Kahuzi and Biega volcanoes track habituated families.
Optional lowland sector visit
Some itineraries extend into the park's more remote lowland forest for broader wildlife viewing.
Return to Bukavu
Most visits wrap up back in Bukavu, easily combined with a Lake Kivu stay.
Protecting the world's largest gorilla subspecies
Kahuzi-Biega has been on UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger since 1997. Artisanal mining for coltan and other minerals, much of it linked to bushmeat hunting to feed mining camps, has driven a sharp decline in Grauer's gorilla numbers across their range over the past three decades.
ICCN rangers, with international conservation partners, continue active patrols and community programmes to protect the park's remaining gorilla population. Tourism revenue directly supports this work; check our travel guide for current conditions.
Planning questions, answered
How do I trek gorillas at Kahuzi-Biega?
Gorilla trekking permits are arranged in advance through the park authority, with guided treks departing from Bukavu into the highland sector.
What's the difference between Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga gorillas?
Kahuzi-Biega protects the Grauer's gorilla (eastern lowland gorilla), the largest gorilla subspecies, while Virunga's Mikeno sector protects mountain gorillas, a different subspecies.
Is Kahuzi-Biega easy to reach?
Relatively, yes. Its highland sector is a short drive from Bukavu on Lake Kivu, making it more accessible than several other DRC parks.
What else can I see at Kahuzi-Biega besides gorillas?
Chimpanzees, forest elephants, and Albertine Rift endemic birds and plants across the park's highland-to-lowland elevation range.
Why is Kahuzi-Biega on the World Heritage in Danger list?
Artisanal mining and associated bushmeat hunting have significantly reduced Grauer's gorilla numbers since the park's listing in 1997.
More of the DRC to plan around Kahuzi-Biega
Ready to plan a Kahuzi-Biega gorilla trek?
Our team builds itineraries around gorilla permits from Bukavu and current access guidance for South Kivu.
What to do here
Top experiences in Kahuzi-Biega National Park
- Grauer's gorillasThe park's highland sector holds several habituated families, including the well-known Chimanuka group, trekked daily from Bukavu.
- ChimpanzeesEastern chimpanzees range through both the highland and lowland sectors, alongside Grauer's gorillas.
- Forest elephantsForest elephants persist in the park's remoter lowland sector, though numbers have declined sharply from historic levels.
- Albertine Rift endemicsThe Kahuzi and Biega volcanoes support plant and bird species found only in this stretch of the Albertine Rift.
Entry requirements for visiting Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Every traveller needs a visa in advance. Read our step-by-step DRC e-visa and Congo tourist visa guide for the official DGM portal walkthrough, letter of invitation (LOI) requirements, fees, processing times and airport entry checks.
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