Where to go Gorilla Trekking in Africa? – Gorilla Safaris
Mountain gorillas are a few unique wildlife species on earth that you need not miss to catch a glimpse. They thrive only in the wild, not in the zoo and to view them; you have to trek into the lush montane forests in Africa. Worldwide, mountain gorillas live in only three countries-Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Currently, they remain not more than 1004 and a trek to view them rewards travel endeavors with magical encounters. Mountain gorillas are scientifically called Gorilla beringei beringei and they make up one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorillas. Today, they are listed among the most endangered creatures on earth on the IUCN Red List. For starters, below are a few exceptional destinations where mountain gorillas live;
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
To trek to see mountain gorillas in the wild, Bwindi National Park is that one magical safari destination you need to consider a must to visit in Africa. Bwindi National Park is situated in extreme southwestern Uganda approximately 8-10 hours’ drive away from Kampala capital city. It spans up to 331 sq.km and features not only as a home to mountain gorillas but also as one of a few most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Uganda. Its establishment in 1991 was mainly to offer refuge to rare mountain gorillas and other wildlife species as well as their habitat.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is home to about half the total number of mountain gorillas that currently thrive on. Because of its huge concentration of mountain gorillas, Bwindi National Park comprises of about twenty (20) habituated gorilla families and this avails more opportunities for visitors to take part in gorilla trekking while on safari in Africa. Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park takes place in any of its four major trekking regions-Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. Each of these regions features habituated groups with Buhoma area comprising of Habinyanja, Mubare, Katwe and Rushegura; Ruhija area has Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguliro and Mukiza; Nkuringo region consists of gorilla families like Nkuringo, Christmas and Bushaho whereas Rushaga sector comprises of Mishaya, Kutu, Busingye, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, Bikingi, Kahungye, Bweza, and Nshongi.
To trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a gorilla permit is a must to have and you can obtain one at $600. A gorilla permit at hand gets you the opportunity to trek one of the many habituated families in Bwindi National Park.
Bwindi National Park also inhabits over 350 bird species (they include among others the short-tailed warblers, blue-headed sunbird, African green broadbill, red-headed bluebill, and others), chimpanzees, elephants, baboons, antelopes, and many others.
To take part in Bwindi National Park, you either embark on a road trip or take a flight. By road, you will spend about 8-10 hours drive from Entebbe or Kampala via Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route and by air, you can start your flight from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield then you land at Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip where you can drive to Bwindi National Park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga National Park is the second gorilla destination after Bwindi National Park where mountain gorillas can be trekked in Uganda. This pristine park also lies strategically in southwestern Uganda just at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers an area of 33.7 sq.km thus making it the smallest of all the ten national parks in Uganda. It also forms part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area (VCA) that also comprises of Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in eastern DR Congo.
Gorilla treks in Mgahinga National Park start at Ntebeko visitor center. Visitors on Uganda gorilla safari in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can trek Nyakagezi which is the only habituated gorilla group in this park.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is set suitably in northwestern Rwanda about 2-3 hours’ drive away from Kigali capital city. It covers an area of 160 sq.km and forms part of the vast Virunga Conservation Area. Volcanoes National Park was established in 1925 mainly to offer refuge to mountain gorillas and other wildlife species. Today, Volcanoes National Park features among a few most visited parks in Africa.
Volcanoes National Park comprises of ten (10) habituated families and they include the Susa A, Amahoro, Susa B (Karisimbi), Bwenge, Umubano, Hirwa, Agashya, Sabyinyo, Ugenda, and Kwitonda. To trek any one of these habituated groups in Volcanoes National Park, you need $1500 to help you obtain your gorilla permit. In Rwanda, gorilla permits are obtainable through a trustworthy or recognized tour operator or through reservationist at Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
Volcanoes National Park also inhabits golden monkeys, black-fronted duikers, spotted hyenas, bushbucks, five (5) Virunga Volcanoes (Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, Muhavura, Bisoke, and Gahinga), over 200 bird species, varied vegetation to mention but a few.
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is remarkably one of the significant destinations in Africa where you can visit to view mountain gorillas. This pristine park lies in eastern DR Congo and spans up to 7800 square kilometers. It was gazetted in 1925 and in 1979, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are eight habituated gorilla families set for tourism in the Virunga National Park. They include Lulengo, Bageni gorilla family, Mapuwa, Rugendo, Humba, Kabirizi, Nyakamwe, and Munyaga gorilla family.
In summary, there are only four national parks where mountain gorillas can be tracked in Africa and the world at large.