The remote areas of southwestern Uganda and the Virunga massif have one of the wildlife treasures on the African continent.
The wildlife treasures are the very rare and endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are great primates of the apes’ family that live in the forested mountainous areas in southwestern Uganda, northwestern Rwanda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.These primates are herbivores that predominantly feed on plant leaves and bamboo shoots. Surprisingly mountain gorillas don’t usually drink water because the plant leaves that they feed on are well moisturized with enough water that quenches their thirst.Mountain gorillas have about 98% DNA similar to humans making them among the closest wild animals to human beings. Just like human beings, mountain gorillas live in groups/families that are led and guided by the strongest male mountain gorilla in that particular group commonly known as a silverback.
Gorilla Safaris
Some of the best done gorilla treks are combined with wildlife viewing, chimpanzee trekking, community excursions, volcanoes hikes and many others. Good luck picking your favorite gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo on your visit to Africa the most beautiful continent on the planet.
With the five gorillas national parks found in the same region with several vibrate attractions surrounded by friendly people and warm weather, gorilla tourism and conservation has become a travel priority worldwide. Many people leave their homes for a gorilla trekking holiday in Africa in order to discover and experience the beautiful village, communities, great landscapes, hills, mountains, wildlife, birds, and thick green rain forests.
Gorilla trekking tours can be individual, group or private depending on the travelers’ interest and budget. No matter what your budget is, go for your dream gorilla trekking trip in Africa and meet mountain gorillas at reasonable price. Below are some of the best places for Africa gorilla trekking safaris any time of the year.
Here are the top gorilla safaris you can take in Africa.
CHURCHILL’S PEARL
2 weeks in Uganda, gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in the Albertine Rift, and visiting 6 national parks, including the remote and magical Kidepo Valley. Staying in luxury accommodation and traveling by safari vehicle and light aircraft.
East Africa & the Gorillas
A 3-week journey in style to the very best of Papa’s favourite East African spots: Murchison Falls, Lake Albert, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Kilimanjaro and Malindi. Meet Great Apes in the rainforests, spot the Big Five on the savannahs, and fish a Grand Slam on the coast. Witness firsthand what inspired some of his greatest works.
Gorillas & the mountains OF THE MOON
11 days in Uganda climbing the peaks of the Rwenzoris, the legendary Mountains of the Moon, on the Congo border, to the summits of some of Africa’s highest peaks.
The Congo Jungle
10-day itinerary to the Congo River Basin. 7 million years ago, this was the edge of the known Universe. Safari includes rafting on the Luhoho River, tracking chimpanzees, gorillas, okapi, and looking for many more rare endemic species. Price include air charter, permit fees, full-board accommodation, expert guide, porters, cook, supplies, safari vehicle and driver.
A Day in the Life of a Gorilla
24 hours in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda on a luxury gorilla trek. For when time is of the essence…
Best Destination For Mountain Gorilla Tracking
Many people always ask for which destination they should visit to enjoy a gorilla safari during the trip planning stage! As earlier mentioned, mountain gorillas can only be found in three countries on the African continent and the entire planet at large.In Uganda, mountain gorillas inhabit Bwindi impenetrable Forest and in Mgahinga gorilla national park all situated in the southwestern part of the country.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the highest mountain gorilla population in Uganda and half of the total mountain gorilla population remaining on the entire planet (about 450). Some of the mountain gorillas here are habituated while others are currently under going habituation.
Currently Bwindi impenetrable national park has 11 habituated gorilla families with other 2 gorilla groups undergoing the habituation process. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park on the other hand has one habituated gorilla group. A tourist can track gorillas in any of these two national parks. Both Mgahinga gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can be got to after a 9 to 10 hours drive from Kampala Uganda’s capital city.
Rwanda’s mountain gorillas live in the Volcanoes National Park situated in northwestern Rwanda. This national park has 10 habituated mountain gorilla families that are open to tourist visitation. The Volcanoes national park can be accessed by road from Rwanda’s capital city Kigali after a 2 to 3 hours drive.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), mountain gorillas can be tracked in Virunga National Park, which has 6 habituated gorilla groups. This national park can best be accessed from Rwanda via Goma or from Uganda via Bunagana border. All the three mountain gorilla destinations offer exclusive mountain gorilla experiences coupled with sightings of other wildlife species that these national parks have and therefore it’s upon one’s preference to select the best gorilla tracking destination.
Each of the habituated gorilla group is open to be tracked by strictly 8 tourists a day spending only one hour with them.
The Mountain Gorilla Tracking Experience
Tourists are expected to be at the national park head quarters early in the morning for a briefing about the mountain gorillas. Before the briefing, these tourists are divided into groups of 8 and allocated to a guide who will be leading them throughout the entire gorilla tracking expedition. The journey to the forest in search of the mountain gorillas then starts lasting for 1 to 8 hours of hiking because mountain gorillas usually move from one place to another and thus getting to them might last longer than expected. After getting to the allocated mountain gorilla group, tourists are given an hour to interact, take photographs and learn more about these primates.
The Mountain Gorilla Tracking Permits
These are very important for any one interested in going for mountain gorilla tracking. A mountain gorilla permit for Rwanda are sold at $750, in Uganda $600 and in Democratic Republic of Congo at $500. These are always limited and therefore tourists should ensure to secure their permits early enough.