Gorilla Trekking Safaris Africa | Uganda, Rwanda  Gorilla Tours

Where To See Gorillas in Africa: Best 5 places to see gorillas in Africa

Are Gorillas only found in Africa? The answer to that question is Yes. Africa is home to two species of gorillas in its equatorial forests of central and eastern Africa. The eastern gorillas / equatorial gorillas are found in Uganda, DRC and Rwanda. Uganda having the biggest number of gorillas in the whole world. The western gorillas are found in Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola. 

For those looking for gorilla trek tours in Africa and fill their wanderlust, the best five countries to see gorillas in Africa  are Uganda, Rwanda. Other countries to visit to see gorillas in Africa are DRC, Central African Republic and Republic of Congo. These counties have gone a mile and put up strategies to make your gorilla tours Africa memorable. Out of these countries the best destinations for gorilla trek Africa tours are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

These parks have some of the best conservation and sustainable programs, they have best forest lodges ranging from luxury, mid-range and budget. These accommodations are put up for tourists to have a memorable Africa safari vacation getaway in the remote parts of Africa. Also, scientists have habituated a few groups for tourism out of the undocumented gorilla family groups roaming in these national parks. This means travelers can see gorillas in Africa safely on eco-friendly gorilla trek in their natural habitant. Choosing the best gorilla tours safari experience in Africa depends on your budget and sense of adventure.

More About Gorillas in Africa

Gorilla tours through Africa’s rainforests in search of giant primates is a sel-kooth adventure worth encountering. Tracking gorillas in Africa is targeted for traveler with lust desire to capture a fleeting experience.  Mountain Gorillas in Africa are Man’s closest cousin because they carry 95% of human DNA. Also possess human like behaviors, gentle characters and emotions like laughter and sadness. Gorillas in Africa live in primal family groups of usually 5-30 plus led by a silverback gorilla which is an adult dominant male. Gorillas are highly endangered and can only live in the tropical rainforests of Africa and nowhere else not even in the zoo. This is because of their intense and irresistible desire for freedom hence can’t survive outside their natural habitat. 

The gorillas you see in zoos and all over the world are the smaller lowland gorillas. While these gorillas in Africa are the larger mountain gorillas with long dark hair, taller and heavier than the lowland gorillas. Since the time of their conservation 25 years ago they have gradually increased from 250 to 1000 as the latest census shows. This is because of the massive work done by governments and scientists in conservation and preserving their natural habitats. This is done through protecting them from poachers, big cats, diseases among others.

The 5 best gorilla trekking destinations in Africa 

1. Uganda-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Uganda is home to half of the remaining Mountain Gorillas in the world. Hence, making it the best destination for all Tourists planning a trip to Africa to see gorillas. The Chances of seeing gorillas in Uganda are 99% high, it rare for guides to report not seeing any gorilla family.

Uganda has two Mountain Gorilla destinations that’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. These two parks are responsible for hosting half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas especially Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi has over 13 groups and around 400 gorillas in Africa. Also, some groups are easier to find and the others very hard to find. An African gorilla trekking in Bwindi is a bit challenging but full of adventure. Bwindi has thick vegetation in that every time of trekking guides have to be clearing way. So, that’s where the name impenetrable is derived from.

Bwindi also offers gorilla habituation giving you a chance to spend more than four hours with a semi- habituated gorilla group. It’s a little bit fascinating, intimate because you can’t predict their behaviors and its very worth the long journey and money spent. Bwindi has 3 trekking sectors like Buhoma which is the most preferred by tourists and it’s the pioneer trailhead with 5 habituated groups. It has the wildest selection of safari rentals. Other sectors are Nkuringo and Rushaga.

Mgahinga National Park is the second gorilla destination in Uganda. Mgahinga lies within the Virunga mountains on the boarder of Uganda and DRC having one habituated family. This gorilla group most times wonders at the boarders of Uganda and DRC. The fee for gorilla trekking in Uganda is affordable and locals highly benefit from it. The National Parks also offer other activities like Hiking, Game drives, Birding, Nature walks, Cultural encounters.  These parks are both located in southwestern Uganda approximately 491km (305 mi) from Kampala the capital City of Uganda.

HOW TO GET TO BWINDI FORFEST NATIONAL PARK.

A drive from Kampala the capital city of Uganda is a 10 hours’ drive and 1 hour by flight to the parks. From Kigali Rwanda it’s a 2 hours’ drive to the parks. Most travelers are picked from the Entebbe airport but pickups are done depending on your location. Two sections of both the North and south parts of Bwindi National Park have small airfields to ease access to the Parks. However, the long journey through the rugged terrains of Uganda is worth ago. Accommodations in the parks are available ranging from luxury, mid-range to budgeted the ball is in your hands.

2. Rwanda- Volcanoes National Park.

Rwanda is the second-best gorilla trek Africa destination after Uganda. On the slope of the Virunga mountains shared by Uganda, Rwanda and DRC lies the volcanoes national park. This is in the far northwest of Rwanda which is a popular destination for wanderers who want to adventure gorilla trekking.  Virunga mountain host almost half of the endangered mountain gorillas of Africa. 

Volcanoes National Park has 12 human-habituated protected mountain gorilla family groups availed for tourism. Among these are the Susa group which nests it home high up on Mountain Karisimbi and was studied by Dian Fossey a well-known primatologist. Other gorilla groups in Africa roam on the slopes of the mountain and can easily be trekked. The annual Baby gorilla naming ceremony “kwita izina” hosted in September attracts thousands of visitors to Musanze the capital town for gorilla trekking in volcanoes National Park. 

Gorilla tours in Africa start very early in the morning at 8:00 after briefing, then expert trekkers will lead you to the forest in groups of 6 persons to find a habituated gorilla family.  Tourists who want to avoid the long journey of Uganda gorilla safari prefer Rwanda gorilla safari. Forests of Rwanda are less thick compared to Bwindi which gets you dirty. Although gorilla trekking of Rwanda is the same as that of Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park. Rwanda’s trekking permits are a bit expensive and selective to only those who can afford the hefty charges.    

Volcanoes National Park offers other activities that can be attached to your gorilla trekking safari in Africa like Hiking the Virunga mountains. Also Rwanda’s varied cultural experience, visiting Ellene DeGeneres Diane Fossey campus, tracking chimps in the Nyungwe forest and game drive at Akagere National Park.

HOW TO VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

 Visitors can drive northwest for 2 hours from Kigali the capital city of Rwanda on a well surfaced road to Volcanoes National Park.  There is a direct flight from Tanzania to Kigali for visitors who enter through Tanzania. This takes about 2 and half hours and about 40-hour road drive.

ACCOMMODATIONS; they range from luxury forest getaways, midrange to budgeted home stay, the ball is in your hands depending on your budget and get ready for your Rwanda silver back gorilla tours.

3. The Democratic Republic of Congo.

DRC would be one of the best destinations for gorilla viewing because is a wild and affordable destination for those with adventurous spirit. Congo offers some of the best opportunities to see gorillas in Africa but because of its ongoing civil war on its broader with Uganda and Rwanda, most operators will discourage you from encountering on gorilla adventure in this area.

Congo (DRC) is the only place in the world with eastern lowland, western lowland. Chances of encountering with the mountain gorillas are 98% high, 20% chance of seeing western lowland gorillas, 60% chance of gazing on the east lowland gorillas in Africa. Western lowland gorillas in Africa would best be visited in Mayumbe area of Bas-Congo in the far East near the Angola boarder.

But to security purposes, it’s not advisable for any visitor to go their rather you can see these species in Central African Republic in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park. Also, Lope’ National Park in Gabon to mention but a few. The eastern lowland gorillas in Africa are best viewed in the forests and swamplands south west of Virunga volcanoes in Kahuzi Biega National Park. However, it’s safe to first check the area for security purposes before traveling to the area if interested in visiting.

Mountain gorillas can be seen in Virunga National Park on the DRC side of the Virunga mountains. Security in the area has been improved over time and its safe to visit the park, it can be access through Kisoro in Uganda. You can also opt for flight through Goma town on the northern bank of Lake kivu.

The Virunga mountains got recognized internationally after Netflix’s documentary show “Virunga” this show tells stories of rangers who risk their lives to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and the National Parks.

4. Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville).

The Republic of Congo is on many occasions mistaken with its neighbor, The Democratic Republic of Congo. (Congo gorilla safaris) Congo Brazzaville is a nonviolent state between Garbon, Cameroon, DRC and CAR, it’s one of the best destinations to encounter on western lowland Africa gorillas tours. Hence, one of the best countries for gorilla tours and travel in Africa. These gorillas in Africa roam around the large rainforest reserve of Congo alongside forest elephants, chimpanzees.

Thousands of bird species making the forest one of the best destinations for wonders with the desire to adventure a perfect African jungle.  The country has two destinations to see gorillas in Africa that to say Odzala-Kokoua National Park and Mbeli Bai in Nouabale -Ndoki National Park. Odzala-Kokoua National Park is in the northwest of Congo and offers some of the best western lowland gorilla trekking tours  in Africa. This park was once closed due to the outbreak of Ebola and reopened in 2012.

In the dense forest cover of the park are two habituated gorilla family groups in Africa available for tourism. Tracking gorillas in Africa in the Park starts in the morning in groups of 3-4 tourists with an expert tracker and a guide. Trips to Africa to see gorillas in these locations promote accessible tourism through Gorilla tracking for old people, gorilla trekking for seniors and wheel chair tours.

On finding the gorillas in Africa, you will be given a full hour with them in their natural habitant. Hence, creating unforgettable gorilla trek Africa memories. Mbeli Bai in Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the north of Congo is a true African  gorilla tours wilderness for the intrepid gorilla tour travelers. The park is filled with over 100 western lowland gorillas in its swampy tropical rainforest and the highest number of forest elephants in the world. In this park a visitor has undeniable chances to encounter on unique wildlife, Gorilla groups, forest elephants, buffalo and antelope such as sitatunga. These can be seen wading into the marsh to forage for water and  plants. The Park also offers other activities like boat cruise, seeing silverbacks on the forested island, tourists can also head out to view rescued western lowland gorillas’ orphans being rehabilitated back to the forest in the Lefini Reserve. Affordable rustic gorilla tour safari in Africa getaways can be found in Mbeli camp and Mondika Camp.

5. The Central African Republic (CAR) -Dzanga-Sangha National Park.

 Central African Republic has three habituated western low land Africa gorilla family groups in Dzanga-Sangha National Park. This park lies within the UNESCO world heritage site of sangha Trinational reserve and its tropical rainforest ecosystem also spans protected in Congo and Cameroon. The Park hosts the highest number of western lowland gorillas in Africa and forest elephants worldwide followed by DRC making it the best destination for western land gorillas in Africa. Gorilla trek Africa tours of undiscovered wilderness can be challenging and it’s not for the faint-hearted. Though it is equally one of the wildest and most rewarding African jungle encounters on the continent.

The National Park also offer other activities like observe forest elephants, mangabey monkeys and bongos Also, you will go on a net hunt in the dense jungle rainforests with the Ba’Aka people. This will be an adventure of lifetime that is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.  The best accommodation available is the Sangha lodge. If you can cope up with the trouble and hardship of travel to Central African Republic, the  Africa gorilla tour trips are a highly rewarding adventure.

Is gorilla trekking in Africa worthy it?

Gorilla trek Africa tours in Uganda, DRC and Rwanda are not only worth the money but also the time, long distance and all the hard trekking you will go through. Taking Trips to Africa to see gorillas sounds terrible to encounter but it will be best decision of a life time you will ever make. This is because meeting the silver back in its nature habitant, the head in charge of taking important decisions for the all family and the price you pay plays a big difference in improving on their conservation of Man’s closest cousin. Also the community around the Parks.

How to book gorilla  tours in Africa

We conduct gorilla tour safaris in Africa’s destinations Uganda and Rwanda with wild life extensions in Kenya and Tanzania. We plan your Africa gorilla  tour safari itinerary on your behalf even booking your gorilla permits, accommodations and organizing your transportation from the time you step afoot in the country, Uganda and Rwanda.

Take the lead in gorilla trek Africa tour viewing experiences as well as cultured towards the most rewarding jungle experience. And also sustainable goals for the conservation of gorillas in Africa. We will do all the tiresome work on your behalf so that you have a memorable gorilla tour adventure in Africa.  Not to forget to mention that the money collected in gorilla trekking  tours in Africa profoundly benefit the community around the parks because it the main reason for modern leisure travel.