National park · Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kahuzi-Biéga National ParkVườn quốc gia Kahuzi‑Biéga
Skip Kahuzi‑Biéga in 2026: the DRC is under a Level 4 travel advisory (all travel advised against) and the east is at war. If your government allows essential work travel, you need a letter of invitation from ICCN, a US$115 visa, and a gorilla trek permit (price check).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the DRC authorities or embassy before booking; a visa is usually needed in advance.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Check your government's advice province by province: most governments advise against all travel to the eastern provinces and several other areas, and the US and Canada advise against all travel to the DRC in 2026.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention, and carry the yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is strictly checked at DRC entry.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo ↗Photography in public places can lead to detention; do not photograph government buildings, soldiers, police, airports or bridges.
At a glance
- Country
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Area
- 750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²)
- Approximate; official figure not published (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Kahuzi‑Biéga National Park protects the last large populations of Eastern Lowland (Grauer's) gorillas and offers rugged mountain hikes. The highland zone is open for guided gorilla trekking and summit climbs, while the lowland sector remains closed. Access requires a letter of invitation and a permit, and travel is safest in the dry months of May to October.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1980World Heritage Site for gorilla conservation.
Size and age
750 km² (290 sq mi)290 sq mi (750 km²) · national park since 1970
Approximate; official figure not published (check).
Why go
- See habituated groups of endangered Eastern Lowland (Grauer's) gorillas.
- Climb Mount Kahuzi (3,308 m) for panoramic views of Lake Kivu and the Mitumba range.
- Hike bamboo‑forest trails like Marais Musisi and Tshibati Waterfalls.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- FebCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- MarCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- AprCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- MayCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- JunCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- JulCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- AugCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- SepCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- OctCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- NovCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
- DecCheck: seasonal conditions not confirmed.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Lowland (Grauer's) gorillaAll year · Habituated groups; sightings only on guided treks. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest elephantsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rocky mountain baboon and chimpanzeeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Endemic birds (Rockefeller's sunbird, Grauer's warbler)Mar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Bukavu
Road (≈50 km (31 mi)) via taxi, bus or hired car to Tshivanga gate.Road (≈31 mi (50 km)) via taxi, bus or hired car to Tshivanga gate.
check
From Kigali (Rwanda)
Fly to Kigali, then cross border to Bukavu by road; arrange ICCN escort.
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Tshivanga Visitor Centre | Gate, ranger office, ticketing, basic facilities. | Open with invitation letter. |
| Highland Gorilla Zone | Habituated gorilla groups, forest trails. | Guided only. |
| Mount Kahuzi Trailhead | Start of the 4‑hour ascent to the summit. | Guided; optional self‑guided with ranger escort. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; centre placed near Tshivanga gate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (letter of invitation required) | Free | person | Check: no confirmed entry fee; the visa invitation letter is required for entry. |
| Gorilla trekking permit | Free | person | Check: price not confirmed from current sources; the US$115 figure in the source is a visa cost. |
| Mount Kahuzi guided hike | Free | person | Check: guide fee not confirmed. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Letter of invitation permit or guide
Gorilla trekking permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- All treks outside the visitor centre require an ICCN‑approved guide.
- Rangers
- Travel with park rangers at all times; off‑trail travel prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use designated campsite only.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; no dumping in streams.
- Weapons
- Firearms prohibited for visitors.
Where to stay
Near the park
Bukavu hotels
Range from basic guesthouses to mid‑range hotels; 30 min drive to park gate.
In the park
Park campsite
Designated site beside the visitor centre; basic facilities, permit required.
Safety
Malaria medium
Security high
Road conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by vehicle; short walks are level.
- Mountain trails steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Travel with ICCN‑approved operators to support park funding.
- Leave no trace; use refillable water containers.
- Buy food and services in Bukavu to benefit local economy.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kahuzi‑Biéga National Park?
Check: no confirmed entry fee; the visa invitation letter is required for entry. The gorilla trekking permit price is also unconfirmed.
What are the best hikes in Kahuzi‑Biéga National Park?
Mount Kahuzi summit (4 h ascent), Marais Musisi Trail (2–3 h), and Tshibati Waterfalls Trail (2 h) are the most popular; all require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Kahuzi‑Biéga National Park?
Check: seasonal conditions not confirmed from current sources. Consult current official advisories before planning travel.
Do I need a visa to visit the park?
Yes. A DR Congo visa (US$115 single entry) requires a park invitation letter; obtain the letter from ICCN rangers before travel.
Can I stay overnight inside the park?
A designated campsite is available beside the visitor centre; otherwise stay in Bukavu hotels and travel to the park each day.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
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