Kahuzi-Biéga National Park

Kahuzi-Biéga National Park is a protected landscape in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, in South Kivu province, covering both montane and lowland rainforest habitats. It is internationally important for biodiversity, especially for populations of eastern lowland gorillas.

The park contains steep highland areas and lowland tropical forest with a high level of species diversity. Scientific and conservation work has focused on gorilla monitoring, forest ecology and habitat protection; limited visitor and research access is managed through park authorities.

The park was established in the 1970s and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional biodiversity values. Since establishment it has faced pressures from conflict, resource extraction and habitat encroachment, which conservation programs have sought to address.

Geographically the park lies west of Lake Kivu and north of Bukavu in eastern DRC, occupying part of the Albertine Rift. The terrain ranges from lowland forest up to montane slopes and isolated volcanic ridges.

• Gorilla conservation: Home to eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri), making it one of the most important conservation areas for that subspecies.
• Access considerations: Park access and visitor programmes are subject to regional security and conservation considerations; contact local authorities or park management before planning a visit.

What to See #

• Montane sector: The montane zone in the park includes forested slopes and the higher ridges of the Albertine Rift, providing habitat for mountain-adapted wildlife and montane gorilla populations.
• Lowland sector: Lowland tropical rainforest areas that support diverse flora and the largest remaining populations of eastern lowland gorillas in the region.
• Bukavu (access point): The city and transport hub closest to the park used by researchers and visitors as a base for access and logistics.