World Heritage Identification Number: 137
World Heritage since: 1980
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: Yes
Country: 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo
Continent: Africa
UNESCO World Region: Africa
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Exploring the Wonders of Kahuzi-Biega National Park
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, stands as a testament to the rich biodiversity and natural beauty that Africa possesses. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, this vast area of primary tropical forest is dominated by two majestic extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi and Biega.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
A vast area of primary tropical forest dominated by two spectacular extinct volcanoes, Kahuzi and Biega, the park has a diverse and abundant fauna. One of the last groups of eastern lowland (graueri) gorillas (consisting of only some 250 individuals) lives at between 2,100 and 2,400 m above sea-level.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (x): Kahuzi-Biega National Park contains a greater diversity of mammal species than any other site in the Albertine Rift. It is the second most important site of the region for both endemic species and in terms of specific diversity. The Park protects 136 species of mammals, among which the star is the eastern lowland gorilla and thirteen other primates, including threatened species such as the chimpanzee, the colubus bai and cercopiuthic of Hoest and Hamlyn. Other extremely rare species of the eastern forests of the DRC are also found, such as the giant forest genet (Genetta victoriae) and the aquatic genet (Genetta piscivora). Characteristic mammals of the central African forests also live in the Park, such as the bush elephant, bush buffalo, hylochere and bongo. The property is located in an important endemism zone (Endemic Bird Area) for birds identified by Birdlife International. The Wildlife Conservation Society established a complete list of birds in the Park in 2003 with 349 species, including 42 endemic. Also, the Park was designated as a centre of diversity for plants by IUCN and WWF in 1994, with at least 1,178 inventoried species in the highland zone, although the lowland yet remains to be recorded. The Park is one of the rare sites of sub-Saharan Africa where the floral and fauna transition from low to highlands is observable. In effect, it includes all the stages of forest vegetation from 600 m to more than 2,600 m, dense low and middle altitude rainforests to sub-mountain to mountain and bamboo forests. Above 2,600 m at the summit of Mounts Kahuzi and Biega, a sub-alpine vegetation has developed, with heather, and home to the endemic plant Senecio kahuzicus. The Park also contains plant formations, rare worldwide, such as the swamp and bog altitudes and the marshland and riparian forests on hydromorphic ground at all altitudes.
Encyclopedia Record: Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
The Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a protected area near Bukavu town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is situated near the western bank of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border.Additional Site Details
Area: 6e+05 hectares
Number of Components: 1
Coordinates: -2.334053 , 28.180743
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Kahuzi-Biéga National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Kahuzi-Biega National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Batwa return to their Eden? Intricacies of violence and resistance in eastern DRCongo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park
Indigenous Batwa communities' violent reoccupation of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in eastern DRCongo, stems from the failure of peaceful resistance strategies, escalating threats, and new alliances. The study reveals how slow violence can transition into overt resistance, highlighting the complex interplay between conservation efforts and indigenous rights. Researchers analyzed these dynamics through qualitative methods, focusing on three key factors: the inefficacy of non-violent resistance, increasing external pressures on the Batwa, and emerging opportunities for collaboration with other stakeholders. This work contributes to broader debates on territorialization in conservation, emphasizing the need for inclusive approaches that address both ecological goals and human rights.
Simpson, F. O., & Geenen, S. (2021). Batwa return to their Eden? Intricacies of violence and resistance in eastern DRCongo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park. The Journal of Peasant Studies, 50(3), 1106–1124. https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2021.1970539
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An annotated checklist of the fish fauna of the river systems draining the Kahuzi‐Biega National Park (Upper Congo: Eastern DR Congo)
A comprehensive annotated checklist of the fish fauna in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), Eastern DR Congo, reveals 118 species across its river systems, with five cichlid introductions. The Lowa basin dominates with 30 Cyprinidae species (25% of diversity), followed by Mormyridae and Alestidae. Seven new species were discovered, and 11 are endemic to the Lowa system, highlighting KBNP's ecological significance but also its limited coverage of the region's fish diversity. The study combined museum collections with recent fieldwork (2013–2017) from the Lowa River and Lake Kivu affluents.
Kisekelwa, T., Snoeks, J., & Vreven, E. (2020). An annotated checklist of the fish fauna of the river systems draining the Kahuzi‐Biega National Park (Upper Congo: Eastern DR Congo). Journal of Fish Biology, 96(3), 700–721. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14264
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Understanding ranger motivation and job satisfaction to improve wildlife protection in Kahuzi–Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ranger job satisfaction is low but can be significantly improved through higher salaries, better promotion opportunities, and enhanced support from authorities. A 2015–2016 survey of 72% of rangers in Kahuzi-Biega National Park revealed that while most chose this profession to conserve wildlife or serve their country, factors like patrol assignment, housing at headquarters, age, and tenure influenced satisfaction levels. Improving these conditions could boost ranger commitment, performance, and conservation outcomes.
Spira, C., Kirkby, A. E., & Plumptre, A. J. (2019). Understanding ranger motivation and job satisfaction to improve wildlife protection in Kahuzi–Biega National Park, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Oryx, 53(3), 460–468. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605318000856
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The socio-economics of artisanal mining and bushmeat hunting around protected areas: Kahuzi–Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Artisanal mining in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo significantly threatens large mammal species, including Critically Endangered Grauer's gorillas and Endangered eastern chimpanzees, while providing short-term economic gains for miners. A survey of 14–16% of the population—8–10 million people—revealed that miners earned higher revenues than non-miners but preferred transitioning to other sectors due to instability and risks, often linked to armed groups controlling mines. Bushmeat hunting, driven by lack of alternative protein sources, was widely acknowledged as a major cause of wildlife declines. Respondents indicated they would reduce bushmeat consumption if sustainable meat alternatives were accessible. The study recommends targeted interventions, including improving access to domestic meats, micro-financing for miners transitioning out of the sector, and demilitarizing mine sites to enhance law enforcement effectiveness in protected areas like Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Spira, C., Kirkby, A., Kujirakwinja, D., & Plumptre, A. J. (2017). The socio-economics of artisanal mining and bushmeat hunting around protected areas: Kahuzi–Biega National Park and Itombwe Nature Reserve, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Oryx, 53(1), 136–144. https://doi.org/10.1017/s003060531600171x
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Estimation of chimpanzee community size and genetic diversity in Kahuzi‐Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
A study estimates the chimpanzee community size in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo, to be 36 individuals (range: 32–42), using genetic mark-recapture analysis on 279 fecal samples. The research reveals a relatively high genetic diversity and outbreeding pattern, suggesting recent reproductive contact with neighboring chimpanzee communities. Genetic analysis also indicates a female-biased dispersal pattern typical of chimpanzees. The study highlights the importance of nest site sharing data in population studies of unhabituated chimpanzees and underscores the conservation significance of Kahuzi-Biega's montane forest, which is connected to lowland forests but faces human encroachment.
Basabose, A. K., Inoue, E., Kamungu, S., Murhabale, B., Akomo‐Okoue, E.-F., & Yamagiwa, J. (2015). Estimation of chimpanzee community size and genetic diversity in Kahuzi‐Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo. American Journal of Primatology, 77(9), 1015–1025. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22435
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