5 Days Eastern Lowland Gorillas Adventure

The eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) or Grauer's gorilla is a Critically Endangered subspecies of eastern gorilla endemic to the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Important populations of this gorilla live in the Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National Parks and their adjacent forests, the Tayna Gorilla Reserve, the Usala forest and on the Itombwe Massif.

4 days of Eastern Lowland Gorillas exploration gives you an opportunity to spend an hour face to face with the gorillas in this beautiful part of DRC. 

Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival at Kigali International Airport

When you arrive at the Kigali International Airport (KIA), you will be met and picked by an experienced and welcoming driver guide fully dressed in Mahali Africa attire. The driver guide will take you through Kigali’s beautiful scenery as you proceed to your hotel. 

Day 2: Drive to Bukavu City

After breakfast at your hotel, our driver guide will pick you at the hotel and transfer you to Democratic Republic of Congo, where on your way to Bukavu city, you will have an opportunity to briefly visit the Kings’ palace and museum in the southern part of Rwanda. After lunch, you will continue your journey to Bukavu town through Nyungwe National Park in the Western part of Rwanda, you will dine and spend a night at a hotel of your choice in Bukavu.

Day 3: Gorilla trekking in Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega 

Eastern lowland gorillas are the largest subspecies of gorilla and the largest living primates. Males weigh between 150 and 209 kilograms (331 and 461 lb) based on four males, females of 76 kilograms (168 lb) although this had a small sample size. Males stand between 1.69 to 1.96 metres (5 ft 7 in to 6 ft 5 in), while females reach 1.6 metres (5.2 ft). An older weight calculated based on eight wild adult males is 169 kg (373 lb). 

After your breakfast, you will start trekking the lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega National park. Trekking will take you about 5 hours before you drive back to your hotel for lunch, dinner and overnight. 

Day 4: Lwiro sanctuary and Tshibati waterfall Adventure

The Tshiabati waterfall trail entrance is about 45 minutes from the briefing point. The trail follows a well-defined and demarcated foot path that runs very close and adjacent to the 2 rivers thus providing a better, clear and spectacular view of the waterfalls.

The Lwiro chimpanzee sanctuary is located near Bukavu, 50 kilometers south of Lake Kivu and is a great alternative site to visit after your lowland gorilla trekking experience in Kahuzi Biega national park. It is also within about ten kilometers from Kahuzi Biega National Park.

After breakfast, you will visit Lwiro chimpanzee sanctuary and Tshiabati waterfall before returning to your hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight.

5: Exist and departure to Kigali

After your breakfast in the morning, you will drive back to Kigali to prepare for your scheduled international flight back home.