Located 40 km west of Bukavu. It takes approximately 1 to 1½ hours to drive from Bukavu to the entrance of the park depending on traffic. Follow the road heading towards Kavumu Airport and turn left at the intersection in the town of Miti. Keep driving straight until you reach the Tshivanga visitor centre.
Getting to Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Eastern Congo
In case you are within DRC especially in Bukavu Town, it is possible to drive to the park 40kms about 1 hour and half. Setting off from Goma Town to Kahuzi-Biega, it is 230kms, approximately 5-6 hours’ drive. From Rwanda to Kahuzi-Biega, expect to take 6-7 hours on the road or fly from Kigali airport to Goma or Kavumu airports.
By Road
In the DR Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park can be reached 40kms, about 1 hour and half drive from Bukavu Town. You can take a rental car in Congo or bus or taxi or drive 230kms from Goma Town, about 5 to 6 hours’ drive up to Kahuzi-Biega National Park head offices. From Rwanda, drive from Kigali approximately 6 to 7 hours’ drive via Cyangugu Town.
From Bukavu Town in the DRC, Kahuzi-Biega National Park just 40kms away and from Goma Town, it is 230kms.
From Kigali Rwanda, a road trip to Kahuzi-Biega National Park covers about 6 to 7 hours.
Road Routes
The roads to kahuzi biega national park are rough and even it needs paying toll fees to connect from one province to another.
The park can be accessed via the following routes.
- Starting from Rwanda Side on Road it take 6 to 7 hours driving from Kigali town to the city of Cyangugu, also named Kamembe (station border of Ruzizi I). It’s the nearest town to Bukavu, after crossing the two borders, it takes an hour and half driving to reach the Park Headquarters and the nearest accommodations in the Park
- Starting from Burundi side it takes 3 hours driving, you will have to cross Rwanda border of Ruwa then Ruzizi 1. It’s the shortest way to enter into the national Park from Burundi.
- Starting from Uganda connecting to kahuzi Biega national Park is quite tiresome as the visitor may seek overnight stay in Musanze for the case of visitors that have crossed to rwanda via Cyanika Border and the next day early morning take a serious drive to reach Bukavu town.
By Car/Bus:
From Rwanda, crossing the border at the town of Cyangugu, also called Kamembe (border post of Ruzizi I). Count 5 to 6 hours by road with your own vehicle from Kigali to Bukavu.
From Burundi, also crossing Rwanda (Ruwa border then Ruzizi I), count 3 hours between Bujumbura and Bukavu.
From Goma, taking the road that runs along Lake Kivu, count 5 to 6 hours of a difficult track but in the middle of breathtaking landscapes.
By Water
By boat :
Several operators make daily trips between Goma and Bukavu. Tickets for speedboats (2 hours) cost an average of 50 USD and larger, slow boats (6 hours) cost between 8 and 25 USD. You can buy tickets at the Port of Goma and/or Bukavu. It is advisable to get the tickets at least a day in advance.
International Airline Travel
Visitors to Kahuzi Biega National Park usually fly into Kigali international airport and take the 7-hour drive to the border crossing at Rusizi 1. International flights often arrive in the late afternoon or evening. For such arrivals, we recommend spending the night in Kigali and leaving for Bukavu the following morning.
Kahuzi Biega National Park can be accessed by various ways depending on the visitors interest but the most commonly used is the Road transport and it will require a 4X4 Fleet to enable you enjoy the gorilla trekking adventure.
You can board flights starting from Kigali Airport Rwanda to Goma Airport in the Congo. From Goma, drive 230kms to Kahuzi-Biega National Park Congo.
By plane :
The nearest international airports are in Goma (2 hours by boat), Bujumbura, Burundi (3 hours drive) and Kigali, Rwanda (+ 6 hours drive) or Kigali – Kamembe flight (35 min).
Guided Tours to Kahuzi Biega National Park
Most tours to Kahuzi-Biega national park start from Rwanda with pick-ups in Kigali city or Cyangugu town. Other tourists may also prefer to fly into Goma International Airport where you will find our company guide waiting for you. It takes about 6-7 hours to drive from Kigali City to Kamembe in Cyangugu town via the Rusizi I road. After crossing the borders at Goma and Bukavu, travelers will have to drive for about 2 hours to get to the national park.
Alternatively, visitors can choose to board a flight from Kigali Airport and land in Goma Airport, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is a very convenient mode of transport to the DRC. Once in Goma, travelers can drive 230km to the national park.
Kahuzi Biega National Park in eastern Congo is located 30 Kms from Bukavu Town and it takes one and Half Drive to enter into the national park and its can be accessed by road and by air however travelers have to understand that from kavumu airport and at Miti, take left and keep going straight until you reach the visitor centre.
Car Rental for your Travel
While you can hire a 4×4 in Kahuzi Biega, should something go wrong with the vehicle en route to Kahuzi Biega or inside the park that you’re unable to address yourself; your holiday could be put in jeopardy? For this reason we recommend travelling with a tour guide, so that you have proper support and vehicle backup should anything happen. Further, it’s helpful to be driven by someone who knows the park and its road network. Are you looking forward to hiring a car for Kahuzi Biega national park? Car Rental Congo is here to serve you better at affordable prices and the best service.