3 Days Lowland Gorilla Safari

The Eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorilla), the sub-species of the Eastern gorilla resides within the D.R. Congo rainforests and they are the biggest of the 4 sub-species of gorillas. With 3 days lowland gorilla safari, 2 nights, you will have a lifetime opportunity to explore and experience the massive lowland gorillas right in the wild.

Your lowland gorilla safari in Congo introduces you into the lush Kahuzi-Biega National Park. This is one of the best gorilla trekking destinations in Africa, located near Bukavu in Eastern D.R. Congo. It is lying close to the wester bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. This designated UNESCO Heritage Site offers unforgettable lowland gorilla trekking experiences and it is a special destination to enjoy your trek less of crowds.

About five habituated lowland gorilla families live in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a 6000sq.kms protected area in Congo. Other wildlife that the park inhabits include the Eastern needle-clawed galago, bush elephants, Rwenzori least otter shrew, aquatic genet, maclaud’s horseshoe bat, owl-faced monkeys, 349 bird species including the Congo peafowl, yellow-crested helmet-shrike, African green broadbill, roller feller’s sunbird, etc. Your gorilla safari to explore more about the Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega will begin and end in Kigali.

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Cross Rwanda border to visit Kahuzi-Biega

Pick up at Kigali after an early morning breakfast, drive up to Cyangugu border with a remarkable view of Rwanda countryside. It will be a long journey, but so much rewarding, you will appreciate the natural beauty of Rwanda en-route. In case you are using the Uganda side to cross to Congo, then you access it via Bunagana border and settle at the hotel around Bukavu town just nearby Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

Day 2: Lowland (Grauer’s gorilla) gorilla trekking

Start your Grauer’s gorilla expedition with an early breakfast, followed by registration and briefing at Kahuzi-Biega National Park offices. You will have an experienced park guide to lead you in a search for the assigned lowland gorilla family in Kahuzi-Biega, 2-6 hours and it covers one hour of observing the Grauer’s gorillas. After, walk back to chill at your hotel or lodge at Bukavu or take a walk at the nearby communities with local guide, visit the Kibati falls, Mbayo tea estates and more.

Day 3: Return to Kigali, departure/stay at the hotel

Enjoy an early breakfast, after, meet the driver guide set to drive you back to Kigali with en-route stopovers expected to be made at main tourist sites like Nyanza palace, museum at Butare etc. Final stop will be made at Kigali late in the afternoon, stay at the hotel or at the airport for evening departure.