Gorilla Trekking in Congo ( KAHUNZI BIEGA NATIONAL PARK)
Gorilla Trekking in Congo, Aare you organizing a trek to observe Eastern lowland gorillas in Congo? This article may prove beneficial during the planning phase. There are two primary species of gorillas in the globe – The Western and Eastern gorilla. Each species is categorized into two subspecies. Western gorillas are categorized into the Western lowland gorilla and the Cross River gorilla. The two Eastern gorilla subspecies are the Mountain gorilla and the Eastern lowland gorilla. Western lowland gorillas are the most populous among the four subspecies of lowland gorillas found in Congo. More than 250,000 western lowland gorillas inhabit the secluded woods of Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.
Western lowland gorillas are the most often observed species in zoos. Cross river gorillas are the smallest and most endangered of the gorilla subspecies. Fewer than 350 individuals continue to exist in the highlands of Cameroon and Nigeria. Mountain gorillas are exclusively located in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eastern Lowland gorillas
Gorilla Trekking in Congo, Eastern lowland gorillas, or Grauer’s gorillas, represent the largest subspecies of gorillas, with adult males exceeding 210 kilograms in weight. Kahuzi-Biega National Park hosts the largest population of eastern lowland gorillas. Like all gorilla sub-species, the eastern lowland gorilla is a friendly animal. It will not exhibit aggression or assault unless provoked. Even when agitated, they will first seek to warn off intruders by barking or thumping their chest. Similar to other gorilla subspecies, the Grauer’s gorilla predominantly remains on the ground throughout the day. This is primarily due to their huge mass and reduced susceptibility to predators. While on the ground, group members can be seen engaging in play, grooming, relaxing, and consuming leaves, bushes, or stems. Nests are primarily constructed on the ground or atop trees with leaves and bushes. It is just the young ones who build their nests on top of small trees.
Gorilla Trekking in Congo, Trekking for Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Congo Compared to mountain gorilla groups, eastern lowland gorilla families contain fewer individuals. Each group is commanded by a dominating silverback who directs what is to be done and where to travel. Young males and females tend to depart the group on reaching maturity. The female will depart to associate with a solitary male or another group. Young boys do not usually leave their native group. They may choose to remain and inherit their father’s position or depart to establish their own family by acquiring ladies from other communities. It has been noticed that females tend to change groups more often than males.
What are the similarities and differences between eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas?
Gorilla Trekking in Congo, to begin with similarities. Both subspecies have males that are greater in size compared to females. Both species possess black coats, in stark contrast to the brownish coats seen in western gorillas. Mountain gorilla coats are somewhat thicker since they reside in cooler settings. What are the differences? The silver lining on male eastern lowland gorillas can extend to the lower body, including the thighs, a phenomenon not observed in mountain gorillas. The eastern lowland gorilla possesses a larger and broader cranium than the mountain gorilla. Grauer’s gorillas are more mobile due to the broad nature of their habitat. Despite being classified as endangered, Eastern lowland gorillas surpass mountain gorillas in population. Approximately 7,000 are thought to inhabit the wilds of Africa, although only 1,000 mountain gorillas were recorded in the 2014 gorilla census.
It is important to acknowledge that there exist more habituated mountain gorilla groups than any other gorilla subspecies. Uganda alone has approximately 15 habituated mountain gorilla families, which is more than all habituated eastern lowland gorilla groups combined. This is partly because mountain gorillas live in easy to reach places allowing scientists to study them more carefully. Other gorilla sub-species reside in vast and distant African wilderness. As we will see later on, following mountain gorillas is more expensive. In Rwanda, a gorilla permit may reach a cost of $1500, while permits for eastern Lowland gorillas are priced at only $400. This indicates that the expense of a gorilla trip in Congo is lower than that of other locations.
Trekking Eastern Lowland Gorillas
Eastern lowland gorilla trekking is among the various activities available on a Congo Safari. The immense stature of eastern lowland gorillas compels tourists and primate enthusiasts to seek opportunities for trekking in their native habitat. Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the premier location for observing eastern lowland gorillas. The primates can also be found in Maiko National Park, Tayna Gorilla Reserve and locations in the Itombwe Mountains. Approximately three habituated gorilla populations are accessible to tourism in Kahuzi Biega National Park. The park is secluded, nevertheless visitors will be gratified by stunning landscapes and unspoiled nature. The Democratic Republic of Congo is generally less explored and receives less tourists. This offers an advantage for individuals seeking to see authentic, unblemished African nature devoid of crowds.
How is lowland gorilla trekking organized in Kahuzi Biega National Park?
Prior to commencing the gorilla trekking expedition, participants must attend a briefing at the Tshivanga Visitor Centre. The park guides and rangers will provide information regarding the rules and regulations governing lowland hiking, details about the gorillas, their familial structures, the terrain, and prohibited actions when in proximity to the primates. The briefing allows visitors to walk into the jungle with an idea of what to expect and how to act while with the gorillas.
The Guides will escort trekkers into the forest for durations ranging from one to four hours. Lowland gorillas exhibit significant mobility and typically migrate deeper into the forests during specific seasonal intervals. Expect to locate all of them in one location. The silverback is always on the alert for any intruders and will be following your movements to check if the group is under any type of threat. If the silverback thinks that there is no threat, he will allow hikers all the while to be in their midst. One hour is the maximum permitted duration with the gorillas. The one hour offers you time to complete your observations as well as obtain excellent images to show your friends and family. Monitoring eastern lowland gorillas is infrequent, and only a limited number participate in it. You would be among a select handful to do this.
Accommodation for Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park
Gorilla Trekking in Congo, Accommodation for Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Kahuzi Biega National Park: Hotel Begonias Bukavu. This four-star hotel is located in the Bukavu region, adjacent to Kahuzi Biega National Park. It is encircled by a picturesque green courtyard and features a spacious swimming pool, allowing guests to unwind after their morning gorilla tracking. The hotel features a 24-hour front desk, room service, and a well-appointed restaurant offering foreign cuisine. All rooms are equipped with reliable wireless internet access. A children’s play area is available for guests traveling with children.
Lake Side Hotel Bukavu: This four-star establishment is situated on the banks of Lake Kivu, in proximity to Kahuzi Biega National Park. It provides a spa, dining facilities, a bar, and an expansive swimming pool. Their rooms are expansive, self-sufficient, and equipped with a work desk, television screens, and sofas.
Coco Lodge Bukavu: This mid-tier lodge features 8 well-appointed, self-contained rooms in proximity to Kahuzi Biega National Park. Apart from self-contained rooms, other amenities offered by the lodge include a private bar, a central lobby and restaurant.
L’Orchids Safari Club provides both economical and opulent accommodations, allowing all guests to appreciate the stunning vistas of Lake Kivu. L’Orchids Safari Club is a favored overnight facility for guests who are planning to go for eastern lowland gorilla tracking and Visiting the neighboring Virunga National Park. Apart from exploring the magnificent Kahuzi Biega National Park, there are additional activities that one may register for while at the hotel like bird watching, nature and forest walks. The hotel facilitates the organization of whitewater rafting at the adjacent River Luhoho. Additional services and amenities encompass swimming, a retail center, and helicopter rentals, among others.
Exodus Hotel Bukavu: Featuring complimentary Wi-Fi and satisfactory accommodations, Exodus Hotel in Bukavu is a viable option for anyone wishing to engage in lowland gorilla trekking in Congo. The hotel has multilingual staff who are ready to serve you and ensure that your safari in Kahuzi Biega is memorable. While it may not be classified as a luxury hotel, it offers all the essentials for an unforgettable safari in Eastern Congo. The establishment features a restaurant, a bar, a children’s play area, and expansive balconies equipped with enormous television screens for your leisure. All rooms are self-sufficient and include private bathrooms, toilets, and hot showers.
Attention Tourists: It is essential to obtain the most up-to-date security information on Eastern Congo before to booking your eastern lowland gorilla tracking expedition. Your Tour Operator is better equipped to provide guidance on hotel options and other travel-related matters.