Gorillas are a few unique wildlife species, a major reason why most travelers prefer Africa for a holiday. In Africa, there are 4 sub-species of gorillas- the mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas, western lowland gorillas and cross-river gorillas. Majority of visitors on African safari come mainly to see mountain gorillas and amazingly, there are only 3 countries where these rare apes live including Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.
Over 1063 mountain gorillas still live in the rain-forests of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo making these three countries the most sought after gorilla trekking destinations. Half of these unique apes are in Uganda and the remaining population lives in Rwanda and Congo.
Uganda and best places to trek gorillas
Uganda is undeniably one of the best destinations in Africa worth visiting for trekking mountain gorillas. These endangered primates live only in the natural habitat and in Uganda, they are trekked in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The two destinations present visitors opportunity to choose their best spot for gorilla trekking.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in Southwestern Uganda are the two top and only places to visit to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Over 459 of 1063 mountain gorillas live in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park is a host to about 80 individuals making Uganda a home to half of these world’s endangered species.
A total of about 20 gorilla families are all open for gorilla trekking in Bwindi alone making it a home to largest number of gorilla groups hence offering more opportunities to many trekkers to see mountain gorillas in the wild. The 20 habituated gorilla families of Bwindi National Park live in the 4 main sectors; Ruhija, Nkuringo, Buhoma and Rushaga.
There is also one habituated gorilla group in Mgahinga National Park- Nyakagezi gorilla family and combined together, Uganda is a home to 21 habituated gorilla families. This is one reason why Uganda is an exceptional and preferred mountain gorilla safari destination in Africa.
Uganda is also a preferred Africa’s gorilla trekking destination, offering the most affordable gorilla safari experiences. In Uganda, all gorilla permits whether you plan to visit Bwindi or Mgahinga cost USD 700 for foreign non-residents, USD600 for foreign residents and citizens of East Africa shs. 250,000. Obtaining any of these gorilla permits is easier through a reputable tour company or agent, tour operator in Uganda or directly deal with reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Top places to stay
- Buhoma Lodge
- Mahogany Springs Lodge
- Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Chameleon Hill Lodge
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Amajambere Camp
- Gorilla Mist Camp
- Gorilla Forest Camp
Best place to trek gorillas in Rwanda
Where is the best place to trek gorillas in Rwanda? Mountain gorilla trekking is conducted in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park which is found in the Northwestern part of the country. It is in the Volcanoes National Park where the popular American primatologist- Dian Fossey carried research on the endangered mountain gorillas and she spent up to 18 years studying more about these rare apes.
Volcanoes National Park is located in the Virunga Conservation Area, a vast conservation area that also includes the Virunga National Park and Mgahinga National Park of Congo and Uganda respectively. Volcanoes NP was gazetted as a park in 1925 making it the oldest park and sits on 160sq.kms of land area in Ruhengeri which is approximately 2 hours’ drive away from Kigali.
For gorilla trekking in Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park, visitors require valid gorilla permits and these are obtainable at USD 1500 per person through a reputable tour operator in Rwanda or directly via Rwanda Development Board. A valid Rwanda gorilla trekking permit at hand is a great opportunity for you to visit any of the 13 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park.
The gorilla families within Volcanoes National Park include Titus, Karisimbi/Susa B, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Umubano, Bwenge, Agashya, Hirwa, Kwitonda, Susa A and more. A total of about 104 gorilla permits can be booked and offer you a chance to visit any of Rwanda’s 13 habituated gorilla families.
Where to stay
- Bisate Lodge
- Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
- Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
- Kwitonda Lodge
- Gorilla Nest
- Five Volcanoes Boutique
- Muhabura Hotel
- Kinigi Guesthouse
Gorilla trekking in Congo- Which is the best place to trek gorillas?
DR Congo is one of the visited destinations for gorilla trekking and it is exceptional on its own way. Unlike Uganda and Rwanda, in Congo, there are both mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas to be trekked in the different habitats. Over 300 of 1063 mountain gorillas in the world live in Congo’s Virunga National Park in the East and several eastern lowland gorillas are trekked in only Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
Choosing Congo for gorilla trekking is a great opportunity to visit any of its 8 habituated gorilla groups to see mountain gorillas in Virunga Ntional Park. The habituated gorilla families here include among others Kabirizi, Humba, Bageni, Lulengo, Rugendo, Mapuwa, Munyaga and Nyakamwe.
In Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Congo gorilla safari holidaymakers get a chance to interact with the massive eastern lowland gorillas. There are 5 gorilla families to visit including Bonnani, Chimanuka, Mpungwe, Nganwa and Mugaruka. Interestingly, whether you are interested in visiting gorillas in Virunga National Park or Kahuzi-Biega National Park, the gorilla permits are available for booking in D.R. Congo at USD 450 per person.
Places to stay on Congo gorilla safari
- Mikeno Lodge
- Kibumba Camp
- Bukima Tented Camp
- Tchegera Island Camp
- Lulimbi Tented Camp
- In and around Kahuzi-Biega NP- Exodus Bukavu,
- L’Orchids Safari Club, Coco Lodge Bukavu
- Lake Side Hotel Bukavu.
Best time to go gorilla trekking in Congo, Rwanda or Uganda
Gorilla tours to Uganda, Congo or Rwanda can be planned and conducted at any time or month of the year. The three premier gorilla trekking destinations experience favorable weather conditions, however, the dry season is notably the best period to go visit gorillas that is from June, July, August, September or December, January, February. During these months, there is less interruption from rains compared to wet season that often begins from March to May and October to November.
In conclusion, every gorilla safari destination in Africa is unique on its own hence guaranteeing distinct encounters. With 4 National Parks and 3 countries, visitors have a wide range of options to choose the best place to trek gorillas.
