Kahuzi National Park comprises two main extinct volcanoes namely Mount Biega and Kahuzi, from which its name was coined.

The Mitumba ranges run along the Albertine rift, south of Rwanda, northwards the Rwenzori Mountains west of Uganda. Whereas Mount Kahuzi is the premier of all the volcanic mountains in the Mitumba range, Mt Biega is an extinct volcano in the same Mitumba Mountain ranges. These Mountain ranges lie west of Bukavu town, close to Lake Kivu that forms borderline with Rwanda.

Mountain Biega was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1937 then later transformed and merged with Kahuzi into the current national park status in 1970s. With its 6,000km2 geographic surface area coverage, the park is considered amongst the large single wildlife protected areas on the African continent.

With its rich diversity of unique land features and wildlife, kahuzi Biega national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in1980 due to both its cultural and historical importance. The park inhabits approximately 1,178 plants, 349 bird species and 139 mammals.

Attractions and activities

Eastern lowland gorillas are a key attraction in Kahuzi Biega national park, these apes are at times called Gorilla beringei graueri, they are the biggest of all gorilla species. Since 1990, the population of eastern lowland gorillas had radically decreased highly due to human activities.

Other than lowland gorillas, Kahuzi-Biega national park has a range of other wild animals dwelling within its vicinity that visitors can spot namely; African Forest Elephants, Baboons, Monkeys, Buffaloes, bush babies, forest hogs, and Antelopes, etc.  

Interestingly, African forest elephants are estimated to contribute to a third of total elephant population in the world, but due to the poaching threats for their ivory and bushmeat, the population has reduced, yet no much study has been carried out on because of their habitat being thick and dense forests.

Tourists in Kahuzi-Biega National Park can engage in a wide array of activities including gorilla trekking which gives you a chance to encounter endangered Eastern lowland gorillas, Hiking the Mitumba Mountain ranges and their steep volcanic mountains, Bird watching tours which expose visitors to over 349 bird species such as the Congo peas fowl, crested helmet-shrike and others, Nature walks, camping experiences and community tours to mention but a few.

Accessing Kahuzi-Biega national Park

Whether you come from Rwanda, Uganda or Burundi, accessing Kahuzi-Biega national Park is possible; you can go through Bukavu town, an average of 30km distance from the border post to the park headquarters. The Park is approximately 230 kilometers by road; 4-5 hours’ drive from Kigali airport.

Another option is using a flight; travelers can book chattered flights that will land at Kavuma airstrip in case of limited time or luxurious treat.

When to visit

The park is open to visitors all year round though it has got mainly three seasons; from June to September. During this time, gorillas tend to move long distances in search for what to eat. While April to May, they don’t have to trek distances since they have what to eat nearby and in October to November, their main food is the baboon shoots.

Kahuzi national park ensures Safety and security to all travelers and their properties. Although there are rumors of the past civil wars and insurgencies in the area, this is history now, a lot of efforts have been put to ensure maximum security for all visitors.

Accommodation Options

There are no lodges inside Kahuzi national park, but rather, one can get a very comfortable lodge that offers quality accommodation facilities in the nearest town of Bukavu, these include luxury, mid-range and budget lodges, campsites, and guest houses. All the accommodation facilities offer first-hand services at very affordable prices.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park will offer you a very lucrative lifetime opportunity to interact with the various flora and fauna species in the park. Don’t miss an encounter with the rare lowland gorillas, unique birds, mountain hiking experience and a variety of most of the African animal species.

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Mount Nyiragongo is situated north Kivu province, 25km from the border town of Goma, west of the border with Rwanda.  Nyiragongo’s main crater is about two kilometers wide and contains a permanent lava lake. Interesting to note is that the crater presently has two distinct cooled lava benches within the crater walls – one at about 3,175 and the other about 2,975 m (9,760 ft). It is also true that Nyiragongo lava lake has been the most voluminous lava lake in recent history.

Back in time in 1894 and 1977 that the crater contained an active lava lake whose walls on 10th January 1977 fractured, and the lava lake drained in less than an hour, it poured down the flanks of the volcano at a speed of up to 60 km/h, this was the fastest lava flow ever recorded on earth. The effect was that it claimed lives of over 70 people who were ignorant of what was happening. The incident was so serious that within 30 minutes, the lava lake had emptied, flowing north, south, and west of the volcano. This hazard was so unique and one of its kind in the area, in fact, there is nowhere else in the planet earth with such a steep-sided stratovolcano containing a lake of such fluid lava.

History repeated itself in 1977 when the eruption was proceeding by the formation of a small volcano named murara, a short distance away from the slopes.

On January 17th, 2002 the whole world witnessed another major eruption on Mount Nyiragongo, after many months of increased seismic activity. The event started when a 13km fissure opened in the southern part of the volcano, spreading in a few hours from 2800m to 1550m elevation and reaching the outskirts of the city of Goma, opposite the shores of Lake Kivu. Lava poured from three spatter cones at the end of the fissure and poured in a stream 200 to 1000m wide and up to 2m deep through Goma.

Fortunately, over 400,000 people were evacuated from the city across the Rwandan border into neighboring Gisenyi town in Rwanda, thus saving their lives. It was a real tragedy that saw lava cover the northern end of the runway at Goma International Airport, leaving the southern two-thirds usable, and rising fears that this lava might cause gas-saturated waters deep in lake Kivu to suddenly rise to the surface.

Despite all the happenings, the tourism activities on this historic destination are going on well, though confined to the crater where another lava lake has formed about 250 meters below and sitting over 11,000 feet high. The volcano’s caldera is approximately one-mile-wide holding a deep lava lake; it is very suitable for hiking activities as one climbs to the top of the volcano to just witness the effusive lava at the summit.

Hiking Mount Nyiragongo

One doesn’t need to be a sports person or an experienced hiker but rather in good health to hike this towering volcano, all you need is a winning spirit. Nyiragongo hiking activities start at 10am, lasting for about 5-6 hours. It takes hikers two days to reach and return from the summit that is 11,400 feet high. Food and shelter is well catered for and will be served at specific resting huts on the slopes of the mountain and dinner and overnight stay will be at the mountain huts on the crater rim. Porters are available for hire and ready to render assistance where necessary.

Just like other mountains, ensure that you carry warm clothes, strong hiking shoes, insect repellants, and possibly a sleeping bag. Other hiking equipment may be hired at the ranger station.

Accessing Mount Nyiragongo

Mount Nyiragongo is hiked all year round and also very accessible from Kigali, Rwanda and other destinations in Rwanda and southern Uganda. Commence the journey from Kigali or from the Gisenyi town in Rwanda, and within about 30mins drive, reach Goma boarder post in Democratic Republic of Congo. Then Drive from more 25mins to Virunga national park where Mount Nyiragongo is situated.

Basing on the recent testimonies and feedbacks, no one has ever regretted Hiking Nyiragongo, don’t hesitate to take a step, the destination officials are ready to take you through the most memorial experience while on this adventure.

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Its altitude ranges from 2,230 ft in the Semliki River valley to 16,762 ft. on Rwenzori Mountains. Looking at its borders from north to south, it extends about 300 km (190 mi), largely along the international borders with Uganda and Rwanda in the east. This historical Park covers an area of 8,090 km2 (3,120 sq. mi) and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994.

Virunga National park has two active volcanic mountains, namely Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira which offer excellent hiking experiences to all adventurous travelers who visit the destination. While at the top of these two mountains, your eyes are fed with beautiful scenic views of plantations, water bodies, adjacent hills plus the entire strikingly beautiful Virunga massif, that runs along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo.

Virunga nation park possesses diverse habitats and abundant wildlife; there are over 3,000 faunal and floral species recorded, of which more than 300 are endemic to the Albertine Rift such as the eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla beringei) and golden monkeys (Cercopithecus Kandi).

Though this park has been for long threatened by political tension and insecurity that led to its closure several times, the situation has changed and the operations of the park are going on normally. The park is open for discoveries and adventure, with very qualified security personnel taking charge of the destination.

Attractions and Activities in Virunga National Park

Virunga National park has a wide range of experiences for all its tourists ranging from, a very pleasant warm weather and mild shower, several bird species, mammals and primates such as chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, baboons and so many others.

Mountain gorillas are the prime attractions in this wonderful park, it’s amazing that even the Gorilla permits are sold at a relatively cheaper price as compared to its counterparts Uganda and Rwanda. Virunga national park gives its visitors a chance of getting involved in once in lifetime Mountain Gorilla Trekking as well as a full day habituation experience while visiting one of the eight gorilla families that are resident in the park.

Other popular activities in the park include Mount Nyiragongo hike, chimpanzee trekking and Habituation, visiting the Senkwekwe Gorilla orphanage, Forest Nature walks, Birding, Research, and hiking Mount Rwenzori.

How to get to Virunga national park

Accessing Virunga national park is very possible; the park is situated in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Though traveling by road might be quite challenging except when using the Goma route which is 32km close. One can choose to fly to Kigali international Airport then connect by road through Gisenyi town crossing via Goma border.

The total journey time is approximately two hour’s drive to reach the park’s headquarters at Bukima or Mikeno. However, in case a traveler is connecting from Uganda, they will cross at Bunagana border post in Kisoro district,

Through Uganda, it is an hour’s drive to Bukima or Mikeno sectors – the two renown gorilla trekking starting points.

Where to stay in Virunga national park

Virunga National Park (Pac National des Volcans), located in the Democratic Republic of Congo offers a wide range of accommodation options to its guests ranging from luxury, midrange, and budget. Even though they are classified that way, all these accommodation options offer professional services and care to their clients no matter where you come from.

For those who love camping, the destination also has space designated for those who love camping and its related activities. No matter your demands, the park has got you covered and will ensure that all guests are happily attended to.

Virunga national park is now very open and receiving and an influx of guests each day, Why not think of being one of those visiting the oldest national park in Africa?, Let rumors of diseases, Cholera, or even political instability not stop you from reaching one of the richest and biologically diverse parks in the world.

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