How to Get to Kahuzi Biega, Transportation in Congo- Car hire Services.
International Airline Travel
Visitors to Kahuzi Biega National Park usually fly into Kigali international airport and take the 7 hour drive to the border crossing at Rusizi 1. International flights often arrive in the late afternoon or evening. For such arrivals, we recommend spending the night in Kigali and leaving for Bukavu the following morning.
Kahuzi Biega National Park is situated in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), near Southern shores of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border and most of the visitors that travel to kahuzi biega national park come from Either Goma or Rwanda via Rusizi border . It consists of a smaller sector on the eastern side covering part of the Mitumba Mountains, and a larger western sector in the Congo central basin. The two zones are connected by a narrow corridor. The entrance to the park is at Tshivanga, on the eastern side.
Kahuzi Biega National Park can be accessed by various ways depending on the visitors interest but the most commonly used is the Road transport and it will require a 4×4 Fleet to enable you enjoy the gorilla trekking adventure.
By Road
The roads to kahuzi biega national park are rough and even it needs paying toll fees to connect from one province to another.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park is located 40 km west of Bukavu. It takes approximately 1 to 1½ hours to drive from Bukavu to the entrance of the park. Follow the road heading towards Kavumu Airport and turn left at the intersection in the town of Miti. Keep driving straight until you reach the Tschivanga visitor centre. The easiest way to get around is by using one of Congo tour operators currently offering the Lowland Gorilla Safaris in Congo. The park can be accessed via the following routes.
- Starting from Rwanda Side on Road it take 6 to 7 hours driving from Kigali town to the city of Cyangugu, also named Kamembe (station border of Ruzizi I). It’s the nearest town to Bukavu, after crossing the two borders, it takes an hour and half driving to reach the Park Headquarters and the nearest accommodations in the Park
- Starting from Burundi side it takes 3 hours driving, you will have to cross Rwanda border of Ruwa then Ruzizi 1. It’s the shortest way to enter into the national Park from Burundi.
- Starting from Uganda connecting to kahuzi Biega national Park is quite tiresome as the visitor may seek overnight stay in Musanze for the case of visitors that have crossed to rwanda via Cyanika Border and the next day early morning take a serious drive to reach Bukavu town .
- Starting from Goma in Congo near Virunga National Park: there is a road connecting the two kivu town, it take 5 to 6 hours driving but its not safe and un recommended. The astonishing landscape and the company of the lac will give spectacular view.
By Water:
Visitors that have been in Goma for a Safari and wanna add up the extension of the safari to cover Kahuzi Biega National Park, there are ferries that ran from Goma to Bukavu passing through the Idjwi Island on Lake Kivu. The Drive on Speed boat takes about 3 Hours and the public boat takes around 4-5 hours. Then upon arrival at bukavu , you will take a drive in 4×4 Safari jeep to access the park. Special Hires of boats are available at the lake shores but enjoy the public transport boats for security reasons unless its organized by a Tour operator recommended:
If it’s a shared Boat the charge can be between USD 50-70 Speed Boats and special tickets are sold but we advise you to book in advance to avoid Disappointments and for slow boats it costs USD 35, Don’t miss the visit to Kahuzi Biega National park because of transport, Join the Boat from Goma to Bukavu.
By airlines
The park can also be accessed by Air where by the visitor may board a domestic charter flight from Kigali to Rusizi Border ( Kamembe airport ) and then cross to congo into Bukavu Town to embark into the safari jeep to drive to Kahuzi biega National park which is likely to take 1:30 Minutes drive.
How do you feel once you meet the Eastern Lowland gorillas of Kahuzi Biega National Park
These are also endangered species and are so exclusive to the Kahuzi Biega National park & Maiko National Park all located in Democratic Republic of Congo, this is the only country where the tourists get the chance to trek and see them at up close on a Congo gorilla Trekking . These species mostly live in the bamboo forests as well as vegetation in the lowland forests only found in central Africa. These also mostly eat the bamboo shoot. These have got two habituated gorilla groups with in Kahuzi Biega national park. The permits for trekking the Eastern Lowland Gorillas only cost $400 and there is always no limit to how many people can do this trek. There is also no age limit.