Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary is located close to the Kahuzi-Biega National Park, defined by the IUCN as the world’s third most important site for the conservation of the Eastern Chimpanzee, Lwiro has an ideal location for chimpanzee rehabilitation, local conservation education, and outreach. Lwiro takes care of chimpanzees and monkeys of 13 different species, together with parrots, turtles and a porcupine. All these animals have been victims of poaching and pet

For just US$ 50 dollars per person, tourists visiting Kahuzi-Biega national park have an opportunity to see Chimpanzees at the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Tourists who visit the primate rehabilitation center are taken through its history and conservation works at the center.

Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary is the only sanctuary in DR Congo that accepts all monkey species. It is home refuge to 107 monkeys, divided in the following species:

• Olive baboon (Papio anubis)
• Yellow Baboon (Papio cynocephaius)
• ​Owl-face Monkey (Cerchopithecus hamlyni)
• ​L’hoesti Monkey (Cerchopithecus l’hoesti)
• ​Blue Monkey (Cerchopithecus mitis)​
• Back crested mangabey (Lophocebus aterrimus)
• Agilis Mangabey (Cercocebus agilis)
• Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas)

It is illegal in the DR Congo to keep any primate as a pet. As with chimpanzees, all of the CRPL resident Monkeys are removed from the forests illegally by poachers and have been confiscated by the ICCN before being transported to the CRPL for long-term care. Most of these animals arrive in very bad physical and psychological conditions due to the trauma they experience during the hunting process and as a result of being kept as a pet. It is the long-term goal of the CRPL to be able to reintroduce our monkeys to the forests of DRC if their forest homes can be made safe enough to do so.

• ​Red-tail Monkey (Cerchopithecus ascanius)
• ​Mona Monkey (Cerchopithecus denti)
• ​Grey-cheeked Mangabey (Lophocebus albigena)
• Black Crested Mangabey (Lophocebus aterrinus) 
• ​Malbrouck Monkey (Chlorocebus cynosuros)
• Tantalus Monkey (Clorocebus tantalus)
• Allen’s Swamp Monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis)​
• Brazza monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus)

Eco Adventure Safaris provides relevant booking information for Congo to enable you plan your safari well. You don’t have to hassle booking your gorilla permit if you choose from our Congo gorilla tours. We will check for your availability of gorilla permits for your requested dates, book and purchase them for you once you have made payment and book all services on your behalf. Usually you have to obtain a gorilla permit several months in advance. We always advise at least 1 month in advance or prior to your visit given they are only 2 groups available for trek in Kahuzi Biega National park. While booking a gorilla tour, always pay your gorilla permit fee in advance to enable us acquire it for you.

You can as well do Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking in Khauzi Biega National Park after visiting the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Gorilla trekking is a daily activity done in Kahuzi Biega National Park Congo, As Eco Adventure Safaris we do provide all-inclusive gorilla tour packages for all the visitors with no hidden costs. The most essential and priority cost is the gorilla permit price that you will incur to secure your trek in Kahuzi Biega National Park Congo. All our tour packages range from budget safaris to Luxury safaris and you can opt to do any as we tailor your trip together according to your interest. We do have Gorilla tour packages that start in Kigali for the DR Congo mountain gorilla safari from Kigali. For a 3 Day Trip to Kahuzi Biega National Park Congo from Kigali costs USD1700 per person in a group of two inclusive of Gorilla permits and as a budget option, transportation, accommodation, Meals, guide services are inclusive as well.

Why is DR Congo Considered Not Safe

DR Congo has for the past years been hit by various unprecedented disasters that is civil and rebel wars, Ebola disease among others which has stopped many tourists from visiting DR Congo for gorilla trekking in either national park given these are the same places that harbor the dangerous rebel groups and diseases. However, of recent DR Congo is getting back to better days and most areas and national parks are now open for tourism business and activities given the fact the DR Congo government, local authorities, National and International security and health bodies have worked hand in hand to bring back peace to DR Congo. Now Congo is good for gorilla trekking and tourists have already started opting to visit DR Congo instead of Uganda and Rwanda given the fact the price of gorilla trekking permit in Congo is cheaper than that of Uganda and Rwanda.

What is the best time to visit Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary?

Congo is located in the tropics and with this it experiences tropical climate and weather throughout the year, both Virunga and Kahuzi Biega National Park Congo experience the same weather, with this both national Parks are prone to receiving uncertain rains any time of the day or week, good months to visit Congo for gorilla trekking are dry season months which occurs in the months of December, January, February, June, July, August and September during these months it always easy to walk through the trails which are drier compared to the wet months then as well the vegetation is not fully grown and this makes sighting of gorillas easy and more clear. Other months which are slightly wet that is March, April, May, October and November most travelers avoid visiting gorillas during these months because the vegetation is fully grown and trails are much slippery making the trekking much harder.

Where to stay during your visit to the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

Lodges in Kahuzi Biega National Park Congo range from budget, mid-range to luxury. Budget options include Hotel Begonias Bukavu, Exodus bukavu, Lake Side Hotel Bukavu among others fares range from 90-100 dollars a night per person, mid-range options include Coco Lodge Bukavu among others fares range from 100-200 dollars a night per person and then Luxury options include L’Orchids Safari Club fares range from 200-400 dollars a night per person. You let us know the best option that works for you and we will for availability and book you according.

How to get to Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary?

You will fly to Kigali International Airport then connect to Gisenyi town; from Gisenyi town you will cross the Rwanda-Congo boarder to Goma town in DR Congo then drive towards the park headquarters of Kahuzi Biega National Park and Virunga National Park from where you will do start the gorilla trek from, it is approximately a 2 hours drive from Gisenyi town to reach the park headquarters.

Why book a trip to visit Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary with Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris is experienced in organizing amazing gorilla safari experiences to Congo. We are also highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor. We combine gorilla trekking safaris with eco-friendly and unforgettable high-end adventure and wildlife safaris that help preserve biodiversity, conserve wildlife and uplift local communities, these include chimpanzee trekking, Big 5 safaris and game viewing, Mountain Hiking, Boat cruises excursions and Cultural encounters to give you a memorable and best African Safari experience including popular and great African safari destinations Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Namibia. Feel free to contact us about visiting the Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary.