How to Get To Kahuzi Biega National Park
How to get to Kahuzi Biega National Park is very important information that any traveller intending to visit the park or take any Congo safari tour and has Kahuzi Biega Park as one of the destinations. Kahuzi Biega Park is located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo near the southern shores of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. This is why most travellers that visit Kahuzi Biega Park come from Rwanda via Rusizi border and Goma. Kahuzi Biega National Park visitors usually fly into Kigali International Airport and transfer on a 7 hour drive to the border crossing at Rusizi 1. Depending on the time of arrival, travellers are advised to spend a night in Rwanda and transfer the next day. Kahuzi Biega Park has two volcanoes of Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega in the Mitumba mountain range and Congo central basin. The park entrance is Tshivanga on the eastern side.
Travellers after knowing how to get to Kahuzi Biega Park should know that there are various ways to get there, by not only road and air but also water.
How to get to Kahuzi Biega National Park by Road
Just like most African roads, the roads to Kahuzi Biega Park sometimes smooth enough but get rough along the way. Roads to Kahuzi Biega National Park also require paying toll fees in order to connect from one province to another. A 4*4 vehicle that is well serviced should be used. Kahuzi Biega National Park can be accessed from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda as seen below;
Rwanda: Once travellers land in Kigali International Airport usually late in the afternoon and evenings, they are advised to stay the night in Kigali and await transfer the next day to Kahuzi Biega National Park. it is about 6 or 7 hours on road from Kigali to Cyangugu sometimes referred to Kamembe the station border of Rusizi 1. Cyangugu is near to Bukavu town. From Bukavu, it is one hour and a half to reach the park headquarters.
Uganda: Connecting to Kahuzi Biega Park from Uganda is rather hectic and takes a long time. Travellers who use this route however are advised to spend the night in Musanze in Rwanda for they first cross to Rwanda via Cyanika border to Musanze and then spend the night there, and transfer to Bukavu and then the park the next day.
Burundi: Starting one’s journey to Kahuzi Biega Park from Burundi requires crossing to Rwanda first and then proceed from there via Rusizi 1.
Travellers can also get to Kahuzi Biega National Park when from Goma in Congo which is near the famous Virunga National Park, say after a gorilla trekking experience there. The drive is very rewarding with astounding landscape, and takes only 5-6 hours of driving. This route is however not recommended due to it being rather unsafe. Safaris organised by reputable tour operator with armed rangers and an envoy can be arranged though.
As you may have noted, most routes take travellers to Bukavu town. Bukavu is barely 1 hour and a half to the park. From Bukavu, travellers take the road heading to Kavumu Airport and then turn left at the intersection in Miti town; and then keep driving straight till Tshivanga visitor centre, in Kahuzi Biega Park Congo.
How to get to Kahuzi Biega National Park by Air
Kahuzi Biega National Park can be acceded by air as well. With this, travellers chattering a flight from Kigali to Kamembe Airport and then proceed to Bukavu and consequently Kahuzi Biega National Park.
How to get to Kahuzi Biega Park by water
Most Congo safaris that include travellers transferring to Kahuzi Biega Park via Goma opt to use water transport. Ferries are available at designated times on Lake Kivu. While on a speed boat, only 3 hours is required while a public boat has travellers spending 4-5 hours on the water. Once in Bukavu, travellers embark on a road transfer to the park.
Your visiting Kahuzi Biega shouldn’t be hindered by a means of transportation or lack of knowledge on how to get to Kahuzi Biega Park. This beautiful park that is one of the 2 that inhabit the threatened eastern lowland gorillas is worth a visit all year long. Having a reputable tour operator organise for you a Congo safari tour will have you avoiding hustles in any way wondering about how to get to Kahuzi Biega Park since they are known to the dot. Take time to get in touch with your preferred tour operator.
