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Park geography

Analyzing the topography, elevation peaks, and ecosystem coverage of this protected area

Kahuzi-Biega National Park: geography

Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recorded area: 6,000 km².

Stylized illustration of a waterfall in a mountainous forest landscape with layered hills and colorful terrain

DRC's flagship protected area spanning volcanic highlands and lowland rainforest, home to the last eastern lowland gorillas

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is a vast protected area in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, situated near the western shore of Lake Kivu and the Rwandan border. Established in 1970 and expanded to encompass approximately 6,000 square kilometers, the park represents one of the largest and most ecologically significant national parks in the country. Its dramatic landscape spans two distinct zones: a mountainous eastern sector within the Mitumba Mountains of the Albertine Rift, featuring the dormant volcanoes Kahuzi and Biéga that lend their names to the park, and a sprawling western lowland expanse stretching from Bukavu toward Kisangani. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 in recognition of its unique rainforest habitat and exceptional mammalian diversity, though it has remained on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 1997 due to regional political instability and ongoing conservation challenges. Kahuzi-Biega stands as the last refuge for the endangered eastern lowland gorilla and supports more mammal species than any other protected area in the Albertine Rift region.

Location
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Park type
National park
Established
1970
Area
6,000 km²
Highest point
3,308 m
Explore Kahuzi-Biega National Park Geography
Location overview

Country memberships and regional protected area context

Kahuzi-Biega National Park Geography and Location Overview

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is situated within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recorded administrative memberships establish the baseline location data for protected area research.
Countries
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Regions
South Kivu Province
Primary location
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic setting
Inland
Boundary and coordinates

Interactive boundary geometry and calculated geographic measurements

Kahuzi-Biega National Park Boundary Map and Spatial Extent

Mapped park outlines provide spatial context for exploring territorial limits and regional boundaries. Accompanying facts detail total area measurements, coordinate spans, and central geographic positioning without legal survey claims.
Boundary area
6,734.3 km²
Boundary perimeter
659.8 km
Northernmost point
1.6282° S
Southernmost point
2.6518° S
Easternmost point
28.8378° E
Westernmost point
27.488° E
Geographic centre
2.1321° S, 28.0495° E
North–south span
113.2 km
East–west span
150.2 km
Parc national de Kahuzi-Biega
Elevation and terrain

Mixed relief topography and mountain park elevation metrics

Kahuzi-Biega National Park Terrain and Elevation Profile

Recorded elevation data reveals a high point of 3,308 meters across mixed mountain terrain. Mapped spatial features and structural measurements provide detailed relief context for this protected landscape.
Maximum elevation
3,308 m
Highest point
3,308 m

Selected named natural features

Mountain ranges

Mitumba Mountains

Rivers

Lugulu

Rivers

Luhoho

Peaks

Kahuzi

3,308 m

Peaks

Mont Biega

Rivers

Duma

Environmental setting

Tropical forest zones, dominant forest cover, and mixed mountain relief

Kahuzi-Biega National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting

Recorded classifications frame the physical setting through complementary tropical forest, wetland, and mountain categories. Connected atlas links associate each environmental record with relevant regional geography.
Relief
Mixed relief
Climate
Tropical
Water
Minor water
Forest cover
Dense forest cover
Seasonality
Year-round

Landscape features

Mountains · Forest · Wetland · Rivers · Volcano · Valleys · Woodland · Grassland · Bog · Marsh · Waterfalls

Habitat types

Tropical forest · Montane forest · Wetland · Peatland · Riverine habitat · Alpine meadow · Grassland · Shrubland

Park atlas

Compare regional park geography, volcanic terrain, and connected Albertine Rift habitats.

Other Parks Near Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Surrounding Protected Landscapes

Browsing nearby national parks and protected areas provides a wider geographic comparison of the surrounding region. Extending beyond Kahuzi-Biega National Park reveals broader ecological patterns, mountain forest corridors, and related conservation landscapes.
A stylized, flat-design illustration of a lush mountain forest scene at sunrise, featuring layered rolling hills, dense tropical vegetation, and mist filling the valley under a pale sky.
National parkRwanda
About 60 km away#1 closest

East

Nyungwe National Park: Rwanda's Protected National Park for Geographic Discovery

Explore its mapped natural landscape and protected terrain.

Nyungwe National Park represents a vital protected area within Rwanda, contributing a unique landscape to the nation's geographic atlas. This national park offers a specific focus for understanding protected lands, their mapped boundaries, and the natural terrain they encompass. By examining Nyungwe National Park, users gain insight into Rwanda's regional geography and the significance of its conservation efforts within the broader context of East African natural landscapes.

A colorful digital illustration of a dense, multi-layered rainforest with tall trees, hanging vines, and various ferns and tropical plants.
National parkBurundi
About 89 km away#2 closest

Southeast

Kibira National Park: Burundi's Protected National Park Landscape and Geography

Mapped protected area within the Great Rift Valley region.

Kibira National Park represents a vital protected national park entity within Burundi's diverse geography. As part of the Great Rift Valley's expanse, its mapped boundaries and landscape identity offer a focal point for understanding regional protected areas. This park's presence in Burundi contributes essential data to a structured atlas of natural landscapes and conservation lands across East Africa.

Area
400 km²
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
Climate
Tropical
A stylized flat illustration of a river winding through a grassy landscape with a large tree in the foreground, cattails along the banks, and low mountains in the distance under a sunset sky.
National parkBurundi
About 98 km away#3 closest

Southeast

Rusizi National Park: National Park in Burundi's Geographic Landscape Context

Explore mapped protected area boundaries and regional geography.

Rusizi National Park stands as a significant protected area within Burundi, contributing to the nation's conservation atlas. This national park offers a distinct geographic profile, showcasing its specific landscape and terrain features within the East African context. Users can delve into the mapped boundaries of Rusizi National Park to understand its protected status and its role in the regional geography, facilitating detailed geographic discovery.

Area
90 km²
Established
1980
IUCN
II
Climate
Tropical
Watercolor illustration of rolling hills, mountains, and a river or lake
National parkDemocratic Republic of the Congo
About 103 km away#4 closest

North

Virunga National Park: Democratic Republic of the Congo's Premier Protected Landscape

Mapped boundaries and diverse Albertine Rift endemic geography.

Virunga National Park represents a pivotal protected area within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, characterized by an exceptional range of geographic features and vital ecosystems. Its protected landscape includes active volcanoes like Nyiragongo with its lava lake, the towering Rwenzori Mountains, and diverse lowland savannas. This atlas-focused entry highlights the park's unique position in the Albertine Rift, crucial for numerous endemic species and offering significant insight into regional geography and protected land context.

Area
7,800 km²
Established
1925
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
A digital illustration showing a lush landscape of rolling green hills, dense patches of trees, and distant ridgelines under a soft, warm-toned sky.
National parkWestern Province
About 112 km away#5 closest

Northeast

Gishwati Forest National Park: Discover Rwanda's Protected Landscape Geography

Mapped protected area boundaries and regional natural landscape.

Gishwati Forest National Park offers a focused exploration of a significant protected natural landscape in Rwanda's Western Province. This resource provides detailed geographic context, highlighting the park's mapped boundaries and its role within the country's conservation areas. Understand its terrain and regional landscape importance through an atlas-centric view.

Area
32.02 km²
Established
2015
IUCN
IV
Relief
Mountain
A flat-style digital illustration of a serene mountain landscape with rolling grassy meadows, patches of forest, and distant hills under a soft pastel sky.
National parkRwanda
About 112 km away#6 closest

Northeast

Gishwati-Mukura National Park: Rwanda's Protected Montane Forest Landscape in the Albertine Rift

Explore its mapped boundaries and regional geography.

Gishwati-Mukura National Park, located in western Rwanda, is a vital protected area renowned for its montane forest ecosystems. This national park occupies mountainous terrain characteristic of the Albertine Rift, contributing significantly to watershed protection and regional biodiversity. Users can explore its specific geographic context, mapped landscape features, and its role within Rwanda's broader conservation atlas.

Area
32.02 km²
Established
2015
IUCN
II
Relief
Highland
Watercolor painting showing green and pink trees, hills in background, and grass in foreground
National parkRwanda
About 141 km away#7 closest

Northeast

Volcanoes National Park: Rwanda's Protected Volcanic Landscape and Regional Geography

Mapped park boundaries and East African geographic context.

Delve into Volcanoes National Park, a crucial protected area within Rwanda's northwest. This page offers detailed insight into its geography, highlighting the volcanic terrain and mapped boundaries that define this important national park. Understand its placement within the Virunga Mountains and its contribution to the natural landscape of East Africa, providing a foundation for atlas-based exploration of protected lands.

Area
160 km²
Established
1925
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
An illustrative digital painting of a dense bamboo forest with a large, gnarled central tree and green bamboo stalks surrounding a forest clearing.
National parkKisoro District
About 159 km away#8 closest

Northeast

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: A Geographic Study of Virunga Mountain Landscapes

Exploring protected boundaries and volcanic terrain in Kisoro District.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers an essential range of montane forest and alpine zones across three dormant volcanoes in the Kisoro District of Uganda. This protected area functions as a key element of the broader Virunga mountain ecosystem, providing specialized habitats for endangered primate populations and endemic bird species. The dramatic vertical relief from bamboo forests to summit peaks defines this critical segment of the Albertine Rift conservation network.

Area
33.9 km²
Established
1991
IUCN
II
Relief
Mountain
MoriAtlas Explorer

Kahuzi-Biega National Park

Explore the map, landscapes, and protection details for Kahuzi-Biega National Park.