Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking and Visit Bonobos in DR Congo

Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking and Visit Bonobos in DR Congo Tour will allow you to trek and see the Eastern Lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National Park after you will fly to Kinshasa to visit the Bonobos both is the natural habitat and in the Sanctuary, This Tour is one of the best off the beaten path for tourists in Africa offering a unique experience with some of the world’s most incredible primates. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from such a tour:

1. Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking (Kahuzi-Biéga National Park)

• Location: Kahuzi-Biéga National Park, near Bukavu in the eastern DRC.
• Description: This park is home to the Eastern Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), the largest gorilla subspecies. Trekking in this park offers a more rugged and less touristy experience than mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.
• Experience: The treks can range from a few hours to a full day, depending on the gorillas’ location. You’ll be guided by park rangers who will help you navigate the dense forest to find a habituated gorilla family.
• Best Time to Visit: The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) offer easier trekking conditions, but the park can be visited year-round.

2. Bonobo Tours (Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary)

• Location: Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, located near Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC.
• Description: The sanctuary is dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of orphaned bonobos, our closest relatives. Bonobos are known for their peaceful, matriarchal societies and are endemic to the Congo Basin.
• Experience: A visit to Lola ya Bonobo allows you to observe these incredible apes in a semi-wild environment. The sanctuary’s staff will provide insights into bonobo behavior, conservation efforts, and rehabilitation processes.
• Best Time to Visit: The sanctuary can be visited year-round.

Planning Tips

• Logistics: Accessing Kahuzi-Biéga National Park typically involves traveling to Bukavu via Kigali (Rwanda) or Goma (DRC). For Lola ya Bonobo, you’ll need to reach Kinshasa.
• Permits: Gorilla trekking permits are required for Kahuzi-Biéga and should be arranged in advance.
• Safety: It’s crucial to keep informed about the security situation in the DRC and to travel with reputable tour operators for both treks.

Here’s a suggested itinerary for Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking and Visit Bonobos in DR Congo. This itinerary covers both Kahuzi-Biéga National Park and Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, giving you a chance to experience both gorillas and bonobos:

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali, Rwanda – Transfer to Bukavu, DRC

• Morning: Arrive at Kigali International Airport in Rwanda.
• Afternoon: Transfer by road to Bukavu, located on the southern shores of Lake Kivu (about 6-7 hours drive). Enjoy scenic views of the Rwandan countryside along the way.
• Evening: Check into your hotel in Bukavu for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Kahuzi-Biéga National Park – Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking

• Early Morning: Depart for Kahuzi-Biéga National Park. After a briefing by park rangers, begin the trek to see the Eastern Lowland Gorillas. The trek can range from 1 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the gorillas.
• Midday: Spend an hour observing the gorilla family in their natural habitat. Watch their behavior and interactions as the park rangers share insights into their lives.
• Afternoon: Return to the park headquarters for a rest. You may opt for a short nature walk or visit nearby attractions such as the Tshibati waterfalls.
• Evening: Return to Bukavu for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Second Gorilla Trek (Gorilla Habituation) or Explore Kahuzi-Biéga National Park

• Option 1: Embark on a second gorilla trek to experience a different gorilla family or to increase the chances of getting great sightings.
• Option 2: Explore other parts of Kahuzi-Biéga National Park. Possible activities include bird watching, visiting the park’s botanical gardens, or hiking to Mount Kahuzi or Mount Biéga.
• Evening: Return to your hotel in Bukavu for dinner and relaxation.

Day 4: Transfer back to Goma or Kigali to catch a Flight to Kinshasa

• Morning: Transfer back to Kigali for a flight to Kinshasa or Transfer by boat across Lake Kivu to Goma (about 6 hours).
• Late Afternoon: Catch a flight from Goma to Kinshasa, the capital city of the DRC.
• Evening: Arrive in Kinshasa, transfer to your hotel, and settle in for the night.

Day 5: Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Visit

• Morning: Visit Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary, located just outside Kinshasa. Spend the day learning about bonobos, their conservation, and the sanctuary’s rehabilitation efforts.
• Afternoon: Observe bonobos in their semi-wild habitat and learn from the sanctuary’s caretakers about the unique social structure and behavior of these primates.
• Evening: Return to Kinshasa for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 6: Kinshasa City Tour (Optional)

• Morning: Explore Kinshasa, one of Africa’s largest cities. Possible activities include visiting the National Museum of the DRC, the Académie des Beaux-Arts, or taking a boat trip on the Congo River.
• Afternoon: Leisure time for shopping or relaxation.
• Evening: Prepare for your departure the next day.

Day 7: Departure

• Morning: Transfer to N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa for your return flight.

For the tour to visit the bonobos we can as well arrange for you a tour to visit the Bonobos in their natural habitat on a 7 Days Tour to visit the Bonobos in the wild. Feel free to ask for any modifications or more details on specific parts of the itinerary!

Additional Planning Tips

• Permits: Arrange permits for Eastern Lowland Gorilla trekking in advance. Your tour operator can help facilitate this.
• Accommodation: Choose comfortable lodges or hotels in Bukavu, Goma, and Kinshasa based on your preferences.
• Transport: Pre-arrange transfers, including road transport from Kigali to Bukavu and flights within the DRC, through a reliable tour operator.
• Health and Safety: Ensure you have updated vaccinations and travel with proper travel insurance. Consult a healthcare professional about antimalarial medication and other travel health precautions.

Why book Through Eco Adventure Safaris the tour for Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking and Visit Bonobos in DR Congo?

Eco Adventure Safaris takes pride in customizing tailor-made DR Congo gorilla trekking safaris. It has a very diligent and trustworthy team. Your queries are answered within 30 minutes by our team of professional tour consultants. These consultants will make you a travel plan for you, answer to all your questions and make sure all your services are booked in advance for you to avoid inconveniences. Feel free to contact us for more information about Planning a trip to go for Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking and Visit Bonobos in DR Congo.