Planning a gorilla safari to Africa? have you decided where to see the endangered species already? No worries, we bring you mountain gorilla destinations in Africa for a memorable experience. Mountain gorillas live on only three countries in east and central Africa which include:
Rwanda
Rwanda is a fast-growing tourists destination, although a small country, she has a relatively developed infrastructure comprising of the good road network connecting to national parks and good safari accommodations within the different parks.
Today, Rwanda has become a distinct gorilla trekking destination as compared to other gorilla parks in Africa mostly because of the enormous work of Dian Fossey, as dramatized in the film Gorillas in the Mist, that really makes Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park many people’s first choice for a mountain gorilla safari.
Why Rwanda has become more popular for gorilla trekking
The forest offers a relatively open habitat with some good light – montane vegetation, often with stunning views – greatly improve the chances of good gorilla watching while in Africa.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has a better advantage over the rest because its gorillas are the most wholly habituated, and they are often found in bamboo than the dense forest which makes photographing and filming much more easier
The driving distance from Kigali the country’s major city to Volcanoes national park is a very important edge that visiting Rwanda gorillas has over other mountain gorilla destinations in Africa.
The professionalism and kindness of the guides – many of whom have spent decades helping visitors cope with steep slopes, stinging nettles and nerves – makes every muddy, gasping step that bit easier. But when it’s sunny, and the gorillas are only a short stroll from the park boundary, people tend to wonder what all the fuss is about!
Uganda
Second in popularity for gorilla tracking in Uganda, the country comprises of two gorilla national parks both located in the south-west of the country offer different experiences. Mgahinga National Park is part of the tri-national Virunga Conservation Area, and its habituated gorillas often cross into DRC and back. However, climbing to the top of Mt Sabinyo, where Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC meet, is an outstanding way to see the whole mountain gorilla kingdom – an island of forest surrounded by a sea of densely populated farmland.
Just to its north, is the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park the more visited gorilla park in Uganda is quite a more biodiverse and at a lower altitude as compared to Mgahinga gorilla park. Bwindi national park currently has 12 habituated Gorilla groups for tracking and one for research. The Gorilla families include; Mubare, Habinyanja, and Rushegura families in Buhoma section, while Ruhija section shelters Bitukura and Oruzogo families and Nkuringo family is the only one in Nkuringo area. Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza and Busingye families inhabit Rushaga area and the last family of Nyakagezi inhabits the Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Nyakagezi used to roam across borders of the 3 countries, but when the family got a baby, they settled on Ugandan side. The Kyaguriro Gorilla family in Ruhija area has been set apart for research and is always used to learn more about the life of the Mountain Gorilla.
Why Uganda is a preferred gorilla trekking destination
Rage of safari activities including wildlife viewing, chimps tracking, Murchison falls tour, water rafting in Jinja, from hiking the glaciers in the Rwenzori Mountains and so much more. A Uganda tour gives you the opportunity to combine your gorilla tracking with the country’s other national parks and adventurous activities.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Today it’s very possible for clients to travel go Congo for gorilla tracking – for both low land gorillas and mountain gorilla tour. Gorilla tourism with habituated groups began here as early as the mid-1970s, in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a stronghold of eastern lowland gorillas (ELG), and this park still offers one of the best gorilla-viewing experiences. Bukavu is the nearest town featuring some beautiful lakeside hotels.
Gorilla tourism in the Virunga National Park is also excellent, and the government is keeping it very secure. Things have improved and security has become good in the Congo gorilla region.
Africa Adventure Safaris guides you to all gorilla national parks for better gorilla trekking comparisons in Uganda, Rwanda & Congo