Lowland Gorillas in D.R. Congo; The Lowland Gorillas (Grauer’s Gorilla/Gorilla beringei graueri) are distinct primate species holidaymakers should consider a must-see on safari in African continent. The Lowland Gorillas are the sub-species of Eastern Gorillas, the only sub-species that thrives in the Eastern tropical rain-forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) which makes Congo an exceptional gorilla trekking destination in Africa.
The Lowland Gorillas are considerably the largest compared to all the 4 main sub-species of gorillas. They can easily be distinguished from other sub-species given their stocky bodies, short muzzles, large hands and unique thumbs that are larger than the fingers. The Lowland Gorillas have bare ears, hands, face and feet when they mature enough, the old males can be witnessed with no hair on their chests. The Lowland Gorillas come with shorter hair and teeth, longer arms which isn’t a case with their counterpart-The Mountain Gorillas.
Where to find Lowland Gorillas?
The Lowland Gorillas/Gorilla Graueri range only within the Lowland and Albertine Rift Montane Forests of Eastern D.R. Congo, East-Central Africa. As of 1990 population survey, there were fewer than 17000 of these unusual primates in the wild. Their population drastic reduced to not more than 4000 individuals as of the current population survey.
The Lowland Gorillas range within Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Maiko National Park while a section of them exists within Tayna Gorilla Reserve, Itombwe Massif and Usala Forest. However, they are listed among the endangered species in the world. Their survival in the wild is highly threatened by habitat loss and degradation, conflict and instability, illegal hunting/poaching and trade.
Male Lowland Gorillas weigh about 150-209kgs and females weigh 79kgs. Males can stand from the ground about 1.69-1.96m tall whereas females rise up to 1.6m. They spend most of the hours foraging on plants diet making them largely vegetarians. The Grauer’s Gorillas are very sociable and peaceful creatures and like mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), the Lowland gorillas also live in families of up to 2-40 individuals, and each family group is led by a silverback (a dominant adult male gorilla).
Female Lowland Gorillas can give birth to one infant at a time after a gestation period of 8-9 months. Mother Lowland Gorillas breastfeed the infants till they turn 3 years, the babies begin crawling at the 9th week. They start walking at 35th week and they stayed with the mother for at least 3-4 years. Female Lowland Gorilla becomes mature at 8 and males at 12 years.
Lowland Gorilla Trekking in the D.R. Congo.
Habituating the Lowland Gorillas requires a lot of efforts considering their wide range but interestingly, a section of them has been habituated in the D.R. Congo. Trekking the Lowland Gorillas is possible in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a vast rainforest park that extends to cover an area of 6000sq.kms. About 300 Lowland Gorillas exist in Kahuzi-Biega N/Park which takes its name from Biega and Kahuzi Volcanoes.
Lowland Gorilla Treks in Kahuzi-Biega are done in the habituated families and out of about 9 gorilla family groups, 5 of them are open to holidaymakers on Lowland Gorilla safari to explore. Kahuzi-Biega N/Park lies in the Eastern side of the D.R. Congo just close to Bukavu and Lake Kivu.
Like Virunga mountain gorilla permits, the Kahuzi-Biega National Park Lowland Gorilla Trekking Permits are also available for booking at US Dollars 450 per person on Congo gorilla safari. You can book your Kahuzi-Biega Lowland Gorilla permits through our reliable team or directly with the park authorities.
When see Lowland Gorillas?
Visiting the D.R. Congo to see the Lowland Gorillas in the wild is very possible at any time of the year. But to enjoy the most of your Grauer’s Gorilla tour experience in Kahuzi-Biega N/Park, the best weather and climatic conditions are experienced during the dry season/months of the year.
That is; from June, July, August, September/December, January, February but carry sturdy and waterproof hiking boots, daypack, snacks, a camera free from flashlight, long-sleeved shirts, sweater, gardening gloves, trousers, first-aid kit, insect repellents, sunscreen.
Where to stay?
Kahuzi-Biega has limited comfortable accommodation places for visitors to retire for a night but available lodging choices exist at Bukavu Town. They range from budget to luxury including among others, L’Orchids Safari Club, Coco Lodge Bukavu, Exodus Hotel Bukavu, Lake Side Hotel Bukavu and Hotel Begonias and so much more.
