Kahuzi-Biega National Park - DR Congo

In Danger from 1997 to present

Area: 6,000 km²

Inscribed: 1980

Criteria: (x) biodiversity

Values: The park covers dense primary tropical forest ranging in altitude from 700 to 3,300m on the western flank of the Albertine Rift.  About 10% of the area comprises a high mountain range dominated by two extinct volcanoes, Mts Kahuzi and Biéga.  This is connected through a narrow corridor to a much more extensive area of lowland rainforest on the fringes of the Congo River basin.  The Park has a diverse and abundant fauna with a population of eastern lowland gorillas, and many rare species that are unique to this part of the Great African Rift Valley.

Slideshow of Kahuzi-Biéga National Park 

 MAPS & SATELLITE IMAGES:  A portfolio of maps and satellite images of Kahuzi-Biega National Park is available by clicking here.  The portfolio includes maps showing the location of the park in a regional context as well as topographic and local road access.  Google Earth's satellite coverage of the area is good, and the selection of images in this portfolio is especially good at showing the position of the park on the western rim of the Rift Valley and its relationship to other protected areas around the Lake Kivu basin.  

VISITOR INFORMATION & GUIDE:  An official guide book to Kahuzi-Biega National Park (English version, 1995) has been developed by the Congolese parks authority (IZCN, as it was known at the time) with German government assistance from the GTZ-Project 'Integrated Nature Conservation in East Zaire'.  The comprehensive information in this excellent full-colour illustrated booklet is still largely applicable, especially the descriptions of the ecology and vegetation zones, and the material about the conservation challenges facing the park.  There is a good account of the population of Grauer's gorillas and the opportunities to visit them - a truly awe-inspiring experience!  The pdf download available here is an abridged version of the 53-page guide.

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Links:  Google Earth | UNEP-WCMC Site Description |Official UNESCO Site Details | Birdlife IBA