Where to see Mountain Gorillas in Africa
Where to see Mountain Gorillas in Africa: Mountain Gorillas are the most interesting primates on earth and in Africa, they are found in three countries that is Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas share 98% DNA with humans and they inhabit the tropical rainforests. Mountain gorillas in African can be viewed by visitors who take part in an adventurous gorilla trekking activity which allows them to spend one hour with the gorillas in their natural habitat.
Where to see mountain gorillas in Uganda
Uganda is one of the best places to see the endangered mountain gorillas because it harbors half of the world’s mountain gorilla population which are found in two national parks Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in southwestern part of Uganda and it harbors the highest number of gorilla families, the national park is a home of about 19 habituated gorilla families which are found in four sectors that is Rushaga sector in the south, Buhoma sector in the north, Ruhija sector in the east and Nkuringo sector in the south. Bwindi impenetrable national park offers gorilla trekking where visitors will get an opportunity to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in their environment learning about their behaviors, watch them feed, breastfeed, take photos and record the moments. Bwindi impenetrable national park also offers gorilla habituation experience where the wild mountain gorillas are trained to get used to human presence for trekking. Gorilla habituation experience offers visitors an opportunity to spend four hours with the gorillas under habituation process. Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in south western Uganda and harbors one habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi which can be visited on a daily basis.
Where to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda
Rwanda is another famous destination that harbors the mountain gorillas which are found in Volcanoes national park in the north western region. The park is a home of more than 10 habituated gorilla families which can be visited every single day for one hour. Gorilla trekking activity in Volcanoes national park is one of the famous activities that shouldn’t be missed during your safari in Africa because you will be able to have a face to face encounter with the mountain gorillas in the jungle. Visitors who visit Volcanoes national park will also get an opportunity to visit the grave of Dian Fossey a primatologist who dedicated her entire life doing research on the endangered mountain gorillas.
where to see mountain gorillas in Congo
Democratic republic of Congo is another destination to see the mountain gorillas and they are found in Virunga national park in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo. Virunga national park is another destination in Africa where you can see the endangered mountain gorillas. Virunga national park is a home of 8 habituated gorilla families which are available for trekking on a daily basis and each gorilla family is visited by a maximum of 8 people who spend one hour in the presence of the gorilla family.
Democratic republic of Congo also harbors the eastern lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Biega national park in the eastern part of the country.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Africa
Gorilla trekking permits are legal documents that are offered to visitors above the age of fifteen years allowing them to spend one hour with them in their natural habitat. Price of gorilla trekking permits in Africa vary depending on the destination you want to visit. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost USD 700 per person for foreign non residents, USD 600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost USD 1500 per person for all nationalities and in Democratic Republic of Congo the permits cost USD 400 per person.
Gorilla trekking permits in African should however be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because they are competitive and get sold out quickly especially during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February therefore in order to avoid disappointments you are advised to book early.
Best time to visit the mountain gorillas in Africa
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park, Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park can be visited anytime throughout the year though the best period is during the dry season in the months of June to September and December to march. During the dry season there is less rainfall in the tropical rainforests therefore access roads to the national parks will be passable, vegetation will be less which allows you to have clear views of the mountain gorillas and gorilla trekking trails in the forests will be passable compared to the wet season when the trails are muddy and slippery.
Mountain gorillas in African can also be visited in the wet season during the months of March to May and November because during the wet season you can easily find the mountain gorillas because there will be plenty of food in the forests therefore the mountain gorillas will not move deep into the forest in search of food. During the wet season you will be able to purchase the gorilla trekking permits compared to the dry season when they are competitive and get sold out quickly.
For more information about where to see the mountain gorillas in Africa you can contact Achieve Global Safaris or visit our website for gorilla trekking packages.
