Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a place of great natural beauty located near Bukavu town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Spanning over 6,000 square kilometers, it is one of the largest national parks in the country. The park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, both of which are situated within its boundaries.The park is a haven for biodiversity, and its unique rainforest habitat is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered Eastern lowland gorilla, and its conservation efforts have contributed greatly to the survival of this species.The park’s terrain is a mix of both mountainous and lowland areas, with a corridor of 7.4 kilometers linking the two. The lowland region stretches from Bukavu to Kisangani and is drained by the Luka and Lugulu rivers, which eventually flow into the Lualaba River.Kahuzi-Biega National Park is also home to a variety of plant species, with over 1,178 different types observed in the highland regions alone. The park’s swamps, bogs, marshland, and riparian forests are unique and rare worldwide.Established in 1970 by Belgian conservationist Adrien Deschryver, the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. However, it was later added to the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1997 due to political instability in the region, an influx of refugees, and increasing wildlife exploitation.Despite these challenges, Kahuzi-Biega National Park remains a place of great natural beauty and biodiversity. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and a range of other outdoor activities while experiencing the park’s unique flora and fauna.