Do you know where to track mountain gorillas from? Or have you ever got a chance to meet these giant apes in their natural habitat? There are a few countries in the world where one can see these endangered mountain gorillas in the wild. These are Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are four national parks where these giant apes can be observed; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in Congo.
Within these park, there are several gorilla families that have been habituated for gorilla tourism and many visitors can go gorilla trekking in various locations. Mountain gorilla tracking challenges many other tourist activities done on earth, its regarded as the most adventurous tourist activities since it involves moving deep into the forest while searching for them.Tracking can go from a half to full day depending on where they have spent their last night from. Many travelers whole over the world, jet into Africa especially to these countries to catch up with these magnificent species which can only be seen in their national environment not in zoos like other wildlife.
Where to Go
Uganda and Rwanda are the most sought after gorilla safari destination in the world since these countries are considered safe without any insecurity insurgency.
Many travelers to Uganda prefer to track the endangered gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwestern part of Uganda since gorillas in this area are considered to be available at any time than the habituated gorilla group in Mgahinga Gorilla Forest National Park. The smaller Mgahinga National Park has only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi and gorillas in this family tend to migrate to Rwanda and DRC in search for new adventure hence tracking in this gorilla group is unpredictable. Bwind national park has 11 gorilla group ready for tracking and eight members are allowed to track in each group per day. Uganda has the highest concentration of these giants over 480 individuals are considered to live in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park hosts over 320 mountain gorillas, and the park is located in Ruhengeri Musanze district. The park’s proximity to Kigali City, the main entry to Rwanda offers a great advantage to tourists looking for a shorter gorilla trek in Africa. Within Rwanda, one can track the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda on a day trip or 2 days gorilla trip. The park can be reached within 2-3 hours driving on a smooth road from Kigali. Therefore if you are sleeping in Kigali, you must walk up very early in the morning and drive to Kinigi a point where the park headquarters lies before 7:00am for a short briefing about gorilla tracking. Then after gorilla tracking, you can drive back to Kigali or to the Airport to meet your departure flight back home.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National park also offers an opportunity to those looking for gorilla tracking. According the Virunga Park website, the park has about 5 habituated gorilla groups open to tourists who would like to visit these great apes.
Most travelers in comparison prefer tracking in Rwanda, since tracking in Rwanda is somehow easy than tracking in Uganda and DRC, however this is not a guarantee, since their wild animals meeting them is unpredictable, the one considered easy to find gorilla group may turn to be the toughest.
Most Popular Gorilla Safaris in Africa
- 1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek (Rwanda)
- 2 Days PNV Gorilla Trek (Rwanda)
- 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla safari (Uganda)
- 3 Days PNV Gorilla Safari (Rwanda)
- 3 Days Virunga Gorilla Trek (DRC)
- 5 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorilla Safari
Flor those looking for a wildlife safari, it is very possible to include other adventures that include wildlife and chimpanzee safaris. You can also chose to do a double gorilla safari to make your gorilla tracking experience more memorable.
Not only that, still you can also enjoy a combined gorilla safari either Uganda and Rwanda. You see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and then later cross to track and track gorillas in the volcanoes national park. You can do also combine gorilla tracking in Rwanda (Volcanoes N.P) and Democratic Republic of Congo (Virunga National Park) you can combine it with other tourist activities to make your safari to Africa a memorable experience. For more information about gorilla safaris in Africa contact us at…
