Mountain ranges
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.

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
Country memberships and regional protected area context
Kahuzi-Biega National Park Geography and Location Overview
- Countries
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Regions
- South Kivu Province
- Primary location
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Geographic setting
- Inland
Interactive boundary geometry and calculated geographic measurements
Kahuzi-Biega National Park Boundary Map and Spatial Extent
- 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
Mixed relief topography and mountain park elevation metrics
Kahuzi-Biega National Park Terrain and Elevation Profile
- Maximum elevation
- 3,308 m
- Highest point
- 3,308 m
Selected named natural features
Rivers
Lugulu
Rivers
Luhoho
Peaks
Kahuzi
3,308 m
Peaks
Mont Biega
Rivers
Duma
Tropical forest zones, dominant forest cover, and mixed mountain relief
Kahuzi-Biega National Park Environmental Classifications and Physical Setting
- 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
Compare regional park geography, volcanic terrain, and connected Albertine Rift habitats.
Other Parks Near Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Surrounding Protected Landscapes

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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