Gorilla Families in Kahuzi Biega National Park-Congo safari news

Gorilla Families in Kahuzi Biega National Park-Congo safari news

Lowland Gorillas

Gorilla trekking is a trending Africa safari activity and when many hear about it, its about Mountain Gorilla trekking though not only the possible trek. In West Africa is a very pristine country blessed to be home to both Mountain and Lowland Gorillas. Congo is the popular park for both mountain and lowland gorilla trekking and the only country with both treks in the whole of planet earth.

Kahuzi Biega National Park near Bukavu town in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is a unique Congo gorilla safari destination home to the Eastern Lowland gorillas. The park is within Mount Kahuzi (3308m) and Mount Biega (2790m) from which it derives its name lower than the about 4,507m of Virunga National Park home to the mountain gorillas.

Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves a hike through the park to spend one hour in the presence of the gorillas. Congo gorilla trekking safaris are undertaken each single day from 8:00am with a total of 8 trekkers allowed to trek a single gorilla family each day. Lowland gorilla trekking permits cost USD 400 and should be booked prior. Kahuzi Biega National Park is home to about 9 gorilla families though only 5 gorilla families have been habituated for Congo gorilla safaris.

Gorilla habituation is the process of making gorillas get used to behaving normally in the presence of the gorillas. Gorilla habituation takes about three years by the park rangers. Eastern lowland gorillas live in small groups/families of about 10 members led by a silver back gorilla (the older male gorilla with silver fur on its back). During the almost 30 minutes briefing on gorilla trekking etiquette in Congo, you are allocated a gorilla family alongside 7 other trekkers and park rangers. The trek spends about 2-4 hours and on meeting the lowland gorillas, you are given 1 hour to have an encounter with the gorillas as you see them feed, play and interact. After the trek, you then return with the rangers to the park headquarters.

The 5 Gorilla Families in Kahuzi Biega National Park include;

Mpungwe Gorilla Family

Mpungwe Gorilla Family has 21 members and is the biggest of all habituated families in Kahuzi Biega National Park. For an interesting gorilla trek, this is the best family to trek on your gorilla safari.

Chimanuka Gorilla Family

Chimanuka Gorilla Family is the second largest gorilla family in Kahuzi Biega National Park consisting of 19 members. It was named after its dominant silver back. With the big number it’s the most interesting gorilla family to be trekked on your gorilla trekking safari in Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park.  

Bonnani Gorilla Family

Bonnani Gorilla Family is one of the newest gorilla family with 5 members and the smallest gorilla family in this park.  

Mugahuka Gorilla Family

Mugahuka Gorilla family, isn’t really a family anymore. It is just 1 silver back gorilla named after the dominant silver back. It initially had other family members but had some disputes with the Chimanuka family, that won and took all its females and infants leaving it alone. It is recommendable for old and conversational trekkers.  

Nganwa Gorilla Family

Nganwa is a wild gorilla family that is still under habituation consisting of 10 family members. Lowland gorilla trekking is the perfect option for those who do not like to hike.

If you are an adventurous traveler and want to hike on your trek then a Uganda gorilla trekking safari to either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is an option. A gorilla safari Rwanda to Volcanoes National Park can also be a great trek destination for you.

 Looking for a suitable gorilla trek without more strenuous hiking, opt for Kahuzi Biega National Park.