Birding at Lake Kivu

Destinations

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Top Destinations in Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park is located in Musanze northwest of Rwanda and borders Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo. The park covers 16,000 hectaresand is the place for mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Read More

Akagera is a stunning national park with a diversity of habitats that support a remarkable range of bird species. It is s a savannah park with rolling hills, lakes, wetland and woodlands. Although accessible, the park offers an authentic African experience and a real nous of adventure. Read More

Nyungwe National Park offers the best tropical montane birding in Africa and a walk through this ancient forest should delight any birdwatcher. A comfortable drive from Kigali on good, smooth roads and an extensive trail network give easy access to numerous high-altitude species that are hard to find elsewhere on the continent. Read More

Gishwati-Mukura National Park is located in west Rwanda, in the mountains above Lake Kivu. This is Rwanda's newest national park and currently the focus of extensive rehabilitation efforts. Read More

Top Destinations in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in the Albertine Rift, on the edge of the western Rift Valley. It is 321 square kilometers, holds 350 species of birds and contains 905 of all Albertine Rift Endemics, impossible to see in any other part of East Africa. Read More...

Mgahinga is located in South Western corner Uganda, bordering Republic of Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo, 10 kilometers south of Kisoro. Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas, in the Parc National des Volcans and Parc National des Virunga respectively. The three parks together form the 434 square kilometers. Read More...

Queen Elizabeth is located in the Western part of Uganda. The park has 611 recorded bird species in the Kazinga channel sanctuary which covers an area approximately 207kilometers. Queen Elizabeth National Park also has 95-recorded species of mammals which include Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Hippo's and many more. Read More...

Kibale Forest National Park is located in the western part of Uganda. The forest is 775 kilometers 45% tropical woodland, 40% grassland 15% swamp vegetation the most common trees species being the Wild Rubber trees, Polita Figs which support flora and fauna. Read More...

Top Destinations in Botswana

Chobe National Park is Botswana's first national park, and also the most biologically diverse. Located in the north of the country, it is Botswana's third largest park, after Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Gemsbok National Park, and has one of the greatest concentrations of game in all of Africa. This park is noted for having a population of lions which prey on elephants, mostly calves or juveniles, but also subadults. Read More...

Okavango Delta offers excellent birding opportunities. This magnificent World Heritage Site boasts more than 450 recorded species of birds. It is not uncommon to spot around 140 specifies in a day. The entry point for most tourists is the town of Maun. While western Delta and Panhandle, as well as Moremi Game Reserve are reachable by car (4x2 and 4x4, respectively); light aircrafts are the best way to get around the most of the delta if time matters. Read More...

The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is located midway between Maun and Nata on the Francistown Road in north-cental Botswana east of the Central Kalahari area. The Makgadikgadi Pans is a vast area of great seasonal change. During rainy season from November through March or April, it is typically flooded and largely inaccessible by vehicle. During this time the pans attract spectacular numbers of flamingos. Read More...

The Tswapong Hills are located 40 kilometers north of Palapye in eastern Botswana. Palapye is 275 kilometers north of Gabarone and 586 kilometers east of Maun. It's remote location makes it difficult to visit on a typical safari. The Tswapong Hills in eastern Botswana are a low-lying mountain range reach 300-400meters above the surrounding plateau. They're not a protected area and are most notable as one of the few places where Cape Vulture, a vulnerable species, can be found in Botswana. Read More...

Top Destinations in Malawi

Lengwe National Park is an 887 kilometers squared wildernesses of dense thickets and mixed open woodland. It's along the Mozambican border, southwards through Blantyre and then down into the Lower Shire Valley with splendid views of the vast plains below. Lengwe's special birds include Western Banded Snake Eagle, Brown-headed Parrot, Crowned Hornbill, African Golden Oriole, African Paradise Flycatcher, Retz's Helmetshrike, Miombo Blue-eared Starling, Variable Sunbird, African Yellow White-eye, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, and Red-headed Weaver. Read More...

Liwonde National Park covers an area of 548kilometers squared wilderness of swamps, grasslands, and mopane woodlands in the Upper Shire Valley northwards. An afternoon game activity adds many waterbirds to the list, possibly including specials like White-backed Night Heron, White-backed Duck, African Pygmy Goose, Lesser Jacana, White-crowned Lapwing, Long-toed Lapwing, Gull-billed Tern, African Skimmer, Black Coucal, and Southern Brown-throated Weaver. A day of river safaris, drives, and bush walks should reveal a good diversity of wood and riverine forest birds. Read More...

A short stop will be made to search a riparian forest at Thazima Gate the entrance to Nyika National Park for the highly-localized Black-backed Barbet. The mountain grasslands and forests of the Nyika Plateau are a host of birds that are scarce or absent elsewhere in Malawi. Some target birds here include; Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, Red-winged Francolin, Denham's Bustard, Ruwenzori Nightjar, Angola Swallow, African Pipit, Blacklored Cisticola, Churring Cisticola, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Cinnamon Bracken Warbler, Shelley's Francolin, Common Quail, Blue Swallow, Wattled Crane, Augur Buzzard, Malachite Sunbird, Montane Widowbird and a number of common grassland birds. Read More...

Kasungu National Park is located west of Kasungu, about 175 km north of Lilongwe National Park, extending along the Zambian border. Kasungu is Malawi's second-largest national park. Once crowded with wildlife, the park has been heavily poached and, despite recent clampdowns, animal densities are low. The only lodge is well priced and located at Lifupa Dam, which has some resident hippos and attracts elephants in the dry season. If wildlife viewing expectations aren't too high, Kasungu offers a great bush experience. Read More...

Top Destinations in Zambia

The headquarters of Liuwa Plain National Park are in Kalabo, on the banks of the Luanginga River, 20 kilometres west of the Zambezi floodplain. Visitors must check in here before continuing. The park itself sprawls between the Luanginga and Luambimba rivers, and is reached via a pontoon that carries vehicles across the Luanginga. It was formally gazetted in 1972, but Liuwa Plain's wildlife has been protected by the Litunga, paramount chief of the Lozi, since the 1800s. Large numbers of people live along the perennial rivers bordering the park, grazing their cattle on its fringes. Read More...

Lochinvar Natioal Park is situated on the southern edge of the Kafue Flats, a wide floodplain of the Kafue River between Itezhi tezhi dam in the west and Kafue Gorge in the east. The area extends for 33kilometers from the Kafue River in the north to low wooded hills in the south. It includes the large, shallow Chunga Lagoon which fluctuates considerably in size with variations in river levels. The varying vegetation makes it an interesting park to visit with floodplains, woodlands and termitaria. Read More...

The South Luangwa National Park comprises 9,050 square miles of unspoilt wilderness that makes up one of Africa's finest national parks. South Luangwa National Park near Chipata in eastern Zambia , the most popular National Park for big game viewing with many camps. The South Luangwa Valley overlooks the Luangwa River. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life-blood of this 9059 kilometers squared Park. The Park hosts a wide variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation. Read More...

In 1851, Scottish missionary explorer David Livingstone first heard of the great Victoria Falls, but it was only in 1855 that he set out to visit it. He spent the night on Kalai Island a few kilometres upstream of the falls, having come down river by foot, and the next morning set off in a small canoe to approach the thundering smoke he had seen from afar. He landed on the biggest island on the lip of the falls, now called Livingstone Island and from there obtained his first view of the fall. He wrote, “No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes, but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. Read More...

Birding

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Birding Destinations in Rwanda

Birding in Rwanda

Kigali has abundant Urban Birding, Hotel gardens often hold interesting bird species and Nyarutarama Lake or “Lover's Lake” at the edge of the Kigali golf course is always productive. Even those with a few spare hours will be rewarded by a visit. The Rwanda Environment Management Authority is also developing a park at the edge of Kigali, when completed this will be a good place for urban birding. Furthermore, there are good birding sites at wetlands at the edge of the city and around Mount Kigali. Read More

Rwanda's wetlands and marshes cover around 10% of the country. In addition to Rugezi Marsh in the north, there are extensive wetlands along the Akanyaru and Nyabarongo rivers in the south and south-east of the country. The Akanyaru and Nyabarongo Wetlands are considered Important Bird Areas by Birdlife International. The most easily accessible wetlands and lakes can be found in Bugesera District to the south-east of Kigali. There are numerous sites across this district that offer excellent birding within a short drive from Kigali and, so far 415 bird species that have been recorded in this region Read More

Lake Kivu is in Rubavu three and half hours North West of Kigali. Via Karongi it is three hours west of Kigali. Via Rusizi it is five and half hours south west of Kigali. A 4x4 not needed to reach major lakeside towns. A 4x4 is essential to explore the wider area. Various accommodation options at Rubavu (Gisenyi), Karongi (Kibuye) and Rusizi (Cyangugu/Kamembe).Read More

Volcanoes National Park is located in a region of mostly dormant, heavily vegetated volcanoes and includesRwanda's highest point, Mount Karisimbi. The park is famous for Mountain Gorillas, but also offers good birding potential and 200 bird species are known from this area, among these are 17 Albertine Rift Endemics. It is approximately two and half hours northwest of Kigali using a 4x4 vehicle for the last few kilometres to the trailheads. It is best known for its Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys. Read More

Birding Destinations in Uganda

Birding in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (1°07'S x 29°65'E) is a World Heritage Site located in south western Uganda shared by the districts of Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale. Bwindi is on the edge of the western rift valley. The park is 331 square kilometres on an altitude range of 2607metres-Rwamunyonyi peak and 1160m-Ishaha gorge. Weather is cold during June - July rains heavily in March-April and September-November. Annual Temperature ranges from 7-20 degrees Celsius. The park has exceptional biodiversity. Read More

Kidepo Valley found in Northeast Uganda bordering Kenya and Sudan covering 1442 square kilometres. Kidepo Valley National Park is referred to as Ugandas most remote national park. It has magnificent scenery featuring Savannah and mountain landscape and it lies in a rugged, semi-arid valley of Karamoja region. For any birder Kidepo has over 475 species including East Africa,s rarest and most sought after birds such as Black-breasted Barbet and Karamoja Apallis. Read More

Mount Elgon is on the Uganda - Kenya border, it is an extinct volcanic mountain standing at 4,321 meters above sea level. And with a 3840 km2 has the mountain the largest volcanic base in the world. The park was gazette in 1993. Mount Elgon is perfect for mountain climbers, nature lovers, hikers and birders. But the park has more to offer. Mount Elgon has amazing caves left by moving lava and erosion of soft volcanic deposits and a natural pool named after the early explorer Jackson. Read More

The magical “Mountains of The Moon” lie in Western Uganda on the Congolese border, with snow-covered, equatorial peaks rising to height of 5110 m and lower slopes blanketed in moorland and rich montane forest with bamboo on the lower slopes. It is located in South Western Uganda on the edge of western rift valley shared by Kabale, Rukungiri and Kisoro Districts. The Rwenzori Mountains were previously Rwenzori Range sometimes the Mountains of the Moons. It is 996 Kilometres squared with an elevation of 1700metres to 5109metres on top of Margherita peak on Mountain Stanley. It is accessible from Kasese. Read More

Birding Destinations in Sychelles

Birding in Seychelles

The Morne Seychellois National Park is situated on the north-western and central part of the island of Mahe, the largest island of the Seychelles archipelago which includes the highest mountain of Seychelles at 914 m. Morne Seychellois covers an area of approximately 3,045 hectares, more than 20% of Mahe and made up of a mixture of mangroves, lush tropical jungles and tall mountains. It is 10kilometres in length and between 2km and 4km wide, equipped with an extensive trail network, covering more than 15kilometres. Its steep slopes are covered with dense secondary forests and shrub woodland, interrupted by impressive cliffs and granite boulders glacis. Read More

The Praslin National Park was established in 1979 and is the second largest terrestrial National Park in the Seychelles. This park is situated in the southern half of Praslin and extends from sealevel in the south to the highest point on Praslin (367 metres). As the name suggests it is located on the second largest island, Praslin. It covers a total surface area of 324 hactares of the upper lands of Praslin and includes the World Heritage site of the Vallée de Mai. Its altitude ranges from 80 meters in the ravines to 367meters at the highest point of the island. It offers a wide variety of landscapes and viewpoints. Read More

Cousin is a beautiful, small island that covers 27 ha situated less than 2 km west of Praslin. The site also includes 105 ha coastal marine habitat. Its large plateau extends over most of the island and is covered with indigenous mature woodland dominated by Pisonia grandis, Morinda citrifolia and Ochrosia oppositifolia. Read More

Aride is the most northerly of the granitic islands, lying 9 kilometers north of Praslin and 45 kilometers north-east of Mahé. It is roughly 68 hectares. The island also includes 105 ha of coastal marine habitat. Ridge of Precambrian granite, rising to 135 m, dominates a small plateau of 9 hactares. There is a single beach 800 meters long on the southern side of the island while the rest of the coastline is composed of cliffs and rocky shore. The island is densely covered with mixed native woodland dominated by Pisonia grandis, Ficus lutea and F. reflexa. Read More

Birding Destinations in Ethiopia

All Birding Destinations in Ethiopia

There are plenty of birding spots in and around Addis Ababa. Ghion Hotel in the heart of Addis Ababa is a famous hotel with a large wooded garden that can be very productive for birds. Birds like Brown-throated Seedeater, Swainson's Sparrow and Tacazze Sunbird are common species can be seen as soon as you take out your binoculars. You could also find African Dusky Flycatcher, African Paradise Flycatcher, Abyssinian Slaty Flycatcher, Wattled Ibis, Abyssinian White-eye, Abyssinian Thrush and the lovely Bluebreasted Bee-eater. Read More

Birds seen here include; Ankober Serin, and Geladas. Ankober is 3000 meters above sea level. At the Ankober palace you will see the Red-breasted Wheatear, Brown Woodland Warbler, Abyssinian Ground-Thrush and some white-eyes, Ruppel's Griffon and Verreaux's and Yellow Bishop. Read More

The Bale Mountains, lying between 9,500 and 14,360 feet, contain the largest tract of high moorland in Africa. Virtually uninhabited, they are entirely unspoilt and were set aside as a National Park in order to protect the Mountain Nyala which is found nowhere else in the world. Of volcanic origin like the famous Simiens, the Bale Mountains may not be as spectacular, but they do possess an exceptional beauty and charm which can be likened to that of the Scottish Highlands. They are green and spacious, decorated with rocky peaks and crags, numerous small lakes, extensive heathland, magnificent cloud forests and bogs! Within the Park is Mount Batu, at 14,360 feet one of the highest mountains in Ethiopia. Read More

Travel south to the forested hills of Wondo Genet where you can have lunch and spend the afternoon birding. Following years of unrestrained cutting the forest is now much reduced, though, it still holds small populations of a variety of desirable species.Four endemics may be found including Black-headed Forest Oriole, Yellowfronted Parrot, White-winged Cliff Chat and Golden-backed Woodpecker, whilst Half Collared Kingfisher, Spotted Creeper, African Hobby, Crowned Eagle and Olive Pigeons are amongst other specialities of the region. Read More

Birding Destinations in Burundi

All Birding Destinations in Burundi

Kibira National Park lies atop the mountains of the Congo-Nile Divide and it is estimated that around 16% of the park consists of primary montane rainforest, the only montane forest in all of Burundi, and is adjacent to two large tea plantations, one in Teza and the other in Rwegura. The park also has 98 mammal species and about 10 diverse primate species are recorded. Read More

Ruvubu National Park which is the largest national park in Burundi occupies an area of 508 kilometers squared. The park extends further in the North East of Burundi, south west wards off the Tanzania border in a distance of about 65 kms from the Ruvubu River. In the south Western, the park is located about 20 km Eastwards the town of Gitega. The Ruvubu river valley consists of numerous streams that are enclosed by swampy vegetation on all sides as well as forest and Savannah woodland. Read More

Rusizi National Park is also referred to as Parc National de la Rusizi and the park is sectioned into two significant areas which are separated by the Bujumbura-Uvira road. Rusizi National park is located 15kilometres the north-west of Bujumbura, a few kilometers to the border with Democratic Republic of Congo. The Bujumbura- Uvira highway crosses the park, dividing the park into two sections. Rusizi National Park Burundi can be accessed through various routes and Roads, as it can be accessed by road and airline basing from Democratic republic of Congo Bukavu or Rwanda or via Airlines to Burundi International airport in Bujumbura the capital city. Read More

The forest reserve is 70kilometers from Bujumbura city and one can access the site by mainly using road transport as one can board from the country's capital Bujumbura to the forest reserve centre. Bururi Forest Nature Reserve is situated on the extreme southern edge of the Congo-Nile divide and is a small patch of forest lying immediately west of the town of Bururi in south-western Burundi. The reserve is 3,300 hectares; the remaining semi-evergreen forest covers only some 1,600 hactares. Read More

Gorillas

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Zoologists were introduced to the Mountain Gorilla in 1903 when Captain Friedrich Robert von Beringe shot two gorillas on the slopes of Mount Sabinyo currently Rwanda. Presently, the gorilla population is split between Virunga mountain ranges covering the border region between Rwanda, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking is done in Volcanoes National Park locates116kilometres or 72miles and 2 hours' drive away from the capital city Kigali in Musanze District north of Rwanda. A third of the world's gorilla population is found in Volcanoes National Park.Read More

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

You have a once in a lifetime chance to observe gorillas in the jungles of Uganda by participating in gorilla trekking trips with Papyrous adventures. One of the most rewarding animal encounters is coming face to face with a large gorilla. Finding a habituated family of gorillas in the mountains is the first step in gorilla trekking in Uganda. You have an hour with them after you find them. Families of six to twenty gorillas typically depart together. A dominating silverback male leads a family. The two national parks that have the most mountain gorillas in Uganda are Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Read More

Gorilla Trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo

Mountain gorillas evolved with the rise of the volcanoes half a million years ago, adapting to the terrain by becoming larger than western gorillas and with thicker, and darker fur. They are herbivores who sometimes eat ants and termites. Only about 1,000 mountain gorillas exist in the world but thankfully the number is increasing. They can be visited in four parks: Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Congo's Virunga National Park. Eastern lowland gorillas also known as Grauer's are even bigger than mountain gorillas. Today there are estimated to be 3,800 of them in Congo's Kahuzi Biega National Park the only place they are habituated. Read More

Wildlife Photography

Chimpanzee Filming in Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale forest national park is among the three best popular spots to film the chimpanzees in Uganda, situated in the western part of Uganda. To anyone who intends to film chimps in Kibale National park, they must obtain a filming permit from Uganda wildlife authority, secure media cards or passes from Uganda media council. Papyrus Adventures once contacted will take care of your booking for chimpanzee permits, processing media cards, filming with UA, clear you equipment into Uganda and also booking for you transport, security and accommodation.Read More

Gorilla Filming in Democratic Republic of Congo

Kahuzi Biega National park where you find eastern lowland gorillas and Virunga National Park is where gorillas can be filmed. Gorilla filming can be best done in Democratic Republic of Congo because the parks receive fewer visitors which enable them to enjoy the undisturbed wilderness in privacy though it is very expensive in Democratic Republic of Congo than in Uganda and Rwanda since the country doesn't have an established system for allowing gorilla filming. Tourists who want to film apply at the national parks and wait for response. Unauthorized filming without military or government approval can result into confiscation of equipment and arrest. The eastern side of DRC has civil unrest every other time for the last decades and tourists should expect heavy deployments and many armed rangers.Read More

Gorilla Filming in Uganda

The first step to be done when you want gorilla filming in uganda is to apply for a media card from Uganda Media Centre before every member of the film crew must have this card. The Uganda media Centre requires knowing the tourist names, address, nationality, passport and the purpose of the visit as well as how many days they will stay in the country. The approval from the Uganda media might take 3-5 days. When a tourist receives the approval form, they write a letter to Uganda Wildlife Authority with details about the filming company, purpose of the filming and park they are going to film at.

Gorilla Filming in Rwanda

Volcanoes National park is the only place in Rwanda where gorillas are found with 10 habituated groups. The Rwanda development board is the body responsible for approving of gorilla filming tours in the country. Filming gorillas in Rwanda costs about $5000 not including gorilla permits. Rwanda gorillas permit costs $1500 per person. Rwanda development board requires you to pay an additional fee of $2000 which is refunded later if you share a copy of your film/documentary. Tourists need to book your permit and clear filming equipment in advance Read More

Tour Ideas

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Uganda Tour Ideas

3 day quick gorilla trek in Uganda from Kigali

For tourists who are interested in having a quick gorilla trekking experience in Uganda, it is better that you book our 3-day quick gorilla trek in Uganda from Kigali. This is a great safari that is very short but offers the visitors a great gorilla trekking experience that you don’t need to miss out on.

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7 Days birdwatching and Game drive safari experience in Uganda

The 7 Days birdwatching and Game drive safari experience in Uganda will takes you to one f the most interesting destinations in Uganda. This safari will lead you to Mabamba wetland, later drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park and finally end this birding and game drive safari with a trip to Murchison falls national park which is the biggest and the most visited national park in Uganda.

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10 days of bird watching in Uganda’s rain forests

Uganda is one of the wonderful destinations for birdwatching safaris, and the country features several rain forests, including the Mabira forest, the Semuliki national park, the Budongo forest, the Kibale National Park, the Budongo forest, and the Kaniyo papiidi forest.

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Rwanda Tour Ideas

6 days of Rwanda gorilla and bird watching safari

This 6 day Rwanda gorilla and birding safari will lead you to Nyungwe Forest National Park for birdwatching and later go for gorilla trekking in Volcano National Park. This safari will start and end in Kigali, which is the major entry and exists for all visitors heading to Rwanda for safari experiences.

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9 days of Rwanda gorilla and bird watching safari

The 9-day Rwanda gorilla and birding safari will take you to Rwanda's best birdwatching destinations, which include Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park, and Volcano National Park. The safari will start and end at Kigali International Airport.

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Kenya Tour Ideas

4 days Masai Mara safari

This 4 day Masai Mara safari will lead you to south-western Kenya, where you will enjoy the best wildlife experiences coupled with the big five animals. It is only in the Masai Mara National Reserve that lions, leopards, rhinos, spotted hyenas, and cheetahs can be seen at ease.

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8 days Kenya wildebeest migration safari

The 8-day Kenya wildland migration safari is an interesting experience where you will be able to see the wildland migration. The main highlight of this safari is seeing the wildebeest migration and the big five animals in Kenya.

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15 day birdwatching safari in Eastern Kenya

This is one of the best destinations for birdwatching in Kenya, and it will take you to one of the best destinations in eastern Kenya. The safari will take you to Amboseli National Park, Tsavo National Park, the Taita Hills, the Mida Greek River, and end with the Nairobi Game Park. It will be an interesting adventure for people who are interested in bird-watching adventures.

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Democratic Republic of Congo Tour Ideas

3 day quick gorilla trek in Congo from Kigali

Yes, this is one of the best safari experiences that you will be able to enjoy, from Kigali to the Congo to the lowland gorillas. The lowland gorillas are only found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Kahunzi Biega National Park. The Democratic Republic of Congo borders Rwanda, and thus it is very easy to access the Congo gorillas through Kigali International Airport in Rwanda.

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