Best 6 Places To See Gorillas In Africa.
Seeing gorillas in the wild is the ultimate wildlife experience. The sheer majesty of a fully grown male silverback is mesmerizing, as is the playfulness of the toddlers and tenderness of their Mothers. So, here are the best 6 places to see gorillas in Africa, which depend to some extent on your budget and sense of adventure. Most people visit mountain gorillas in Rwanda, DRC or Uganda, all of which are safe to visit and have a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Elsewhere, there are a handful of more remote destinations where adventurous travellers can visit to see eastern and western lowland gorillas. One thing is certain, wherever you see gorillas, it will rank among the most thrilling and moving wildlife encounters you will ever enjoy.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is one of the best 6 places to see gorillas in Africa. The park is famous for gorilla trekking, especially because of Dian Fossey, the author of Gorillas in the Mist. The park protects part of the Virunga Mountains, a stunning chain of volcanoes covered in rainforest and bamboo. There are 12 gorilla families to track, with the Susa group being the most famous, living on Mt. Karisimbi. Some groups are easier to track because they live lower on the slopes, but all the gorillas are wild and constantly move. Gorilla trekking here is expensive, with permits costing USD1,500 for foreign tourists, but it’s cheaper for Rwandan citizens and East Africans. Rwanda has become a luxury destination for gorilla trekking, often added to safaris in Kenya or Tanzania. Besides gorilla trekking, visitors can enjoy activities like golden monkey trekking, visiting Dian Fossey’s grave, or hiking to Crater Lake on Mt. Bisoke. If you visit in September, you might even see the Kwita Izina ceremony, where baby gorillas are named.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
Like Volcanoes National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has a magnificent location high in the Virunga Mountains, bordering Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the south western region in Kisoro district if Uganda. There is only one habituated group here, so permits are in high demand. But if you manage to get one, it’s a fabulous location for gorilla trekking. Hiking conditions are relatively undemanding and the setting below the volcanic Virunga peaks is stunning. The habituated group is one of the few to boast a coalition of three magnificent male silverbacks. Gorilla trekking permits for Mgahinga cost the same as for Bwindi. Because numbers are limited, the park has a more low-key feel than Bwindi or Volcanoes, at least in terms of tourist traffic. There are also other fabulous walking opportunities on offer, from golden monkey trekking and guided bird-watching trails to steep day hikes to the peaks.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park In Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is one of the most exciting and unique places in the world to see gorillas. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, who live in groups led by a silverback male, with females and young mountain gorillas forming close family bonds in the dense, misty forest. Visitors can take part in guided gorilla trekking tours, hiking through the jungle to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. The gorillas are carefully monitored by conservation programs to protect their habitat and ensure their survival. Thanks to efforts by organisations like the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Bwindi’s gorillas are slowly recovering, although they remain critically endangered. The park’s stunning biodiversity, combined with the chance to see these endangered gorillas, makes Bwindi a must-visit destination for wildlife lovers and adventurers, while also supporting crucial conservation efforts.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park In The Republic Of Congo
Western lowland gorilla in Odzala-Kokoua National Park. Not to be confused with the more volatile DRC, the relatively quiet and peaceful Republic of Congo (also called Congo Brazzaville) is the best place to see western lowland gorillas. Habituated gorillas can be visited in the wild, tropical rainforest of Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the northwest. Because of its remoteness, this is not a cheap destination. But it does offer an exclusive experience, with small groups and rustic luxury accommodations combined with some tough trekking.
Kahuzi Biega National Park , DRC
The only country that has both mountain and eastern lowland gorillas is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Here, several habituated mountain gorilla groups live within Virunga National Park, but this has been closed to tourists since March 2020. Initially, this was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but more recently, it has been for security reasons. The park looks unlikely to reopen in the foreseeable future. A more realistic option for now is Kahuzi Biega National Park, which is home to some 250 eastern lowland gorillas. Kahuzi Biega is, in fact, the only place where you can track eastern lowland gorillas, which are unique to the DRC and occur in no other country. Kahuzi Biega is a short drive from the pretty town of Bukavu, which lies on the shore of Lake Kivu and has some good accommodations in old colonial mansions. Compared to Uganda and Rwanda, it’s a little-visited and rather adventurous option. It is also relatively cheap, with permits. It should be emphasised that the DRC is a volatile country, so it’s advisable to monitor the security situation and to track gorillas here on an organised trip.
Maiko National Park, DRC
Maiko National Park is a protected area that lies in one of the most remote forest areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one of the best 6 places to see gorillas in Africa. The park is divided into three sectors, straddling the states of Nord Kivu, Province Orientale, and Maniema. The park has, however, been highly affected by the rebel groups in the country that have hindered conservation efforts, but it is estimated to have around 10-15 groups of gorillas, with a total population of approximately 3000-4000 individuals. This park is not as known as other gorilla tourism destinations, such as Virunga National Park or Volcanoes National Park. However, it offers opportunities for research and tourism, which can support conservation efforts and provide economic benefits for local communities.
Conclusion:
Africa is home to two species of Gorillas, the eastern lowland and the western lowland gorillas. Seeing these creatures in their natural habitat is a rare and thrilling experience. In the above-mentioned places, the teachings of these places provide unforgettable memories that you will always carry with you for a long time.
