Rules and regulations of eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
The Rules and regulations of eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park are a list of things tourists should follow before, during, and after trekking. Eastern lowland gorillas are endangered species of apes found in Kahuzi Biega national park the second largest national park in DR Congo. There are over 5 eastern lowland gorilla families habituated in Kahuzi Biega national park and all are open for trekking purposes at any time of the year.
Rules and regulations of eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
Eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park starts with a briefing where trekkers are taught about the rules and regulations of the activity.
Each eastern lowland gorilla family in Kahuzi Biega national park is done by a maximum of 8 people and all these must be having valid gorilla trekking permits.
Trekking is done by people that are above the age of 15 years old
Before heading into the jungle, all trekkers must put on their masks and wash their hands with clean water and soap.
Tourists that had already paid their trekking permits and are sick or show any signs of sickness on the final day of trekking will not be allowed to do so because they can infect the eastern lowland gorillas.
All the eastern lowland gorilla treks in Kahuzi Biega national park are led by armed ranger guides and these protect you from dangerous wild animals as well as get you through different park trails.
While in the jungle and you feel like easing yourself, you are advised to tell your armed ranger guide to dig for you a whole, and thereafter you will close it to avoid disease contamination with forest animals
During the eastern lowland gorilla trekking, the trekkers must keep their voices low especially when they are about to reach the gorillas and after trekking.
A trekker must stay in their group while in the jungle and this is done to avoid them from getting lost or eaten by dangerous wild animals
When the trekkers are a few miles away from the eastern lowland gorillas and they have spotted them already, they must keep their voices low.
Staying around eastern lowland gorillas is 1 hour and during this period, trekkers are able to learn about their habits, watch them do daily activities, and take photos.
While around eastern lowland gorillas and you feel like sneezing or coughing, you must step back, look behind, and cough their mouth and nose while doing so.
While around eastern lowland gorillas, you must keep 7 meters away from them
While around eastern lowland gorillas, you must keep your vices very low and you can ask your armed ranger guides what you need to know but in a low voice
While around eastern lowland gorillas, you must capture photos using a camera that has no flashlight
When you meet the eastern lowland gorillas, you are not allowed to point them or chase them
When you meet the eastern lowland gorillas, it’s good you take off the shades especially those that have reflection reason being the reflection on the glasses can make them come close to you.
During the whole trekking activity, you are asked to keep the rubbish with you till you get out of the jungle and dispose off it in the park dust bins.
Smoking around eastern lowland gorillas is not allowed as smoke affects the health of the gorillas.
Eating around eastern lowland gorillas is prohibited as they can grab from you or even harm you trying to fight.
Trekking the eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega national park
Trekking eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi Biega national park start with a briefing at Tschivanga Visitor Centre early in the morning. The trekkers are asked to wake early in the morning, have breakfast, and meet drivers to take them to the briefing point. Park wardens do teach the trekkers about the rules and regulations of the trekking activity and then armed ranger guides led the treks in the jungle.
The whole trekking activity can take 2-5 hours of meeting different park primates, mammals, birds, and vegetation. When the assigned eastern lowland gorilla family is located, the trekkers are given 1 hour to be around them, learn about their habits, take photos and watch them do daily activities such as hunting, nesting, feeding, eating, and much more.
Price of eastern lowland gorilla trekking permits in Kahuzi Biega national park
Eastern lowland gorilla trekking permits in Kahuzi Biega national park do cost $400 for foreign non-residents and foreign residents, and $200 for East African citizens. In the low season which occurs from mid-March to mid-May and mid-October to November, the trekking permits are $200. Trekking permits are got from the national park offices for a trusted local tour operator at the same price.
What to pack for eastern lowland gorilla trekking in DR Congo?
Some of the essentials for eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park DR Congo include waterproof hiking shoes, cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved pants, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen, a pair of binoculars, a camera, drinking water bottle, energy-giving snacks, first aid kit, toiletries, face masks and sanitizer.
Best time go for eastern lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi Biega national park
Kahuzi Biega national park has 2 seasons, the dry season which happens from June to September and December to February as well as the rainy season which occurs from March to May and October to November. The best season to visit the park for eastern lowland gorilla trekking is the dry season and this is because, it’s characterized by little or no rainfall which leaves the trekking trails dry, the vegetation is short with clear views of the gorillas, and the roads leading to the park are in good conditions.
Travelers can still visit Kahuzi Biega national park in the rainy season to enjoy huge discounts on gorilla trekking permits and accommodation facilities. Travelers should know that in the rainy season there is plenty of rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is thick with unclear views of the eastern lowland gorillas and the roads leading to the park are impassable.
