Overview
3 days Congo gorillas are an exciting adventure to see the eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitat. You will see these larger and more muscular gorillas compared to their mountain gorilla cousins in their home. Expect to see eastern lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, white and black colobus monkeys, red-tailed mangabey, baboons, L’Hoest’s monkeys, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, galagos, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, horseshoe bats, dwarf buffaloes, bongos, aquatic civets, aquatic genets, forest hogs and more; and over 350 bird species like African green broadbill, Congo peafowl, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, helmet shrike, yellow-chested helmet, handsome francolin, shelley’s crimsonwing, trogons, red-eyed doves, African blacklist, long-crested eagles, bushshrike, brown-chested alethe, and many more. The trip will start in Kigali and end in Kigali.
Day 1: Transfer to Kahuzi Biega
You will be picked up by our driver guide from Glory Summit Tours and Travel from Kigali at 8:00 am who will brief you on how the trip will be handled before you head out. You will then head to Kahuzi on the road which will take 6-7 hours with a lunch stop in Rusizi. On route expect a scenic and diverse landscape with a lush countryside, gazing at the tranquil waters of Lake Kivu, or navigating the forested mountains. Once at Kahuzi Biega in the evening, you will check into your lodging, have dinner, and retire for the night in preparation for the next day.
Day 2: Gorilla trekking and community tour
After an early breakfast, you will head out to the center for a briefing from the guide about the rules and regulations to be followed for a smooth experience after which they will be joined by a ranger to ensure protection then you will head into the forest in search of the eastern lowland gorillas. This will take between 30 minutes to 6 hours depending on the location of the family you are tracking. Once found, you will have an hour with the gorillas in their habitat and observe how they behave, nest, feed, and support the young ones, and also take some photos. Expect to see other primates like chimpanzees, monkeys, and baboons with animals like elephants, buffaloes, and genets with birds like African green broadbill, Congo peafowl, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Rwenzori turaco, helmet shrike, yellow-chested helmet, handsome francolin and many more. Once done you will head back to your lodging, freshen up, and have lunch. With lunch out the way, you will head out for a pygmy community tour. You will have the opportunity to engage with local communities, learn about their traditions, and gain a deeper understanding of the region’s cultural heritage. Through traditional dances, music, drama, traditional crafts, storytelling, and visiting local markets a tourist can intimately engage to know more about the communities around the park. Once done you will head back to your lodging in the evening, have dinner then enjoy a fire as you relax for the night and retire at will.
Day 3: Checkout and departure
You will wake up, have your breakfast check out of your lodging, and then exit Kahuzi Biega for Kigali. This will take about 6-7 hours with a lunch stop in Muhanga before you proceed to Kigali city. On your way to Kigali you will enjoy the dense forests near Kahuzi-Biega are home to diverse flora and fauna, creating an atmosphere of pristine natural beauty. When you get to Kigali, you will get to your drop-off point as agreed upon with the driver guide, and this will mark the end of your 3 day Congo gorillas’ trip.
