Top Gorilla Trekking Spots in Africa.
Best places for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa: Gorilla trekking in Africa is undoubtedly one of the most amazing wildlife encounters on the entire continent. This exciting and rewarding safari can be done in a few countries, such as Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where you can trek to see mountain gorillas in the wild. Each destination provides a unique experience, from dense rainforests to rugged volcanic landscapes, making Africa the ultimate continent for gorilla safaris.
Best places for Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
Uganda is famed for its amazing mountain gorilla numbers and beautiful tropical rainforests. The country has two top gorilla trekking parks, such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
The park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is situated in southwestern Uganda, along the edge of the Rift Valley. The park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its dense, misty forests and diverse wildlife. This astonishing park is home to over 459 mountain gorillas and is divided into four habituated groups, making it a very good place for gorilla trekking. These families are found in the Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga sectors.
Amazingly, the park holds roughly half of the world’s population. Moreover, visitors to the park may also spot other animal and primate species, such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. This forest hosts some 350 bird species, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. Bwindi is also home to at least 200 species of butterfly, which includes the eight Albertine Rift endemics. Also, a home to many reptiles.
While on a gorilla trek in Bwindi, hikers are surrounded by the vibrant noises and visuals of the jungle, with birds calling in the background and leaves rustling underfoot. As you trek, you can expect to walk for several hours, depending on the location of the gorillas, and the terrain can be challenging, with steep hills and muddy paths.
Once these amazing mountain gorillas are found, tourists will be allowed one hour to observe them as they interact with each other, play and eat in the wild. The guides will also tell you about the gorillas, their behaviour and conservation measures taken to protect them. In addition to gorilla trekking, Bwindi has other thrilling safari experiences to offer you, including birdwatching.
- Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area and is Uganda’s second prime gorilla tracking site. The park is smaller than Bwindi but no less important, containing approximately 100 mountain gorillas. The park lies on the borders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and boasts volcanic terrain, bamboo, and dense montane forests. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to one gorilla group habituated and open to tourists, and that is the Nyakagyezi family.
The gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga is unique due to its volcanic terrain, which often involves ascending steep slopes and navigating rugged landscapes. Trekkers are normally given one hour to spend with the habituated gorilla families once found. Treks can last from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the movement of the gorillas and the terrain.
Once you find them, be fascinated to observe how they carry out their daily activities, such as feeding, playing and interacting with each other, among others. Mgahinga offers a more adventurous, less crowded experience compared to Bwindi Forest. The park’s scenic views of the volcanic cones, such as Mount Muhabura and Mount Gahinga, make the trek even more exciting
Gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.
Rwanda is famous internationally for its exceptional gorilla trekking safari experience. This rewarding safari is done in Volcanoes National Park, situated in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The park covers an area of about 160 sq km and is home to four volcanoes found in the Virunga Region, such as Bisoke, Karisimbi, Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura. That park contains about 480 mountain gorillas and is amongst the most critical habitats for these critically endangered primates.
The park is home to about 13 habituated gorilla groups, which are accessible to tourists. These groups include Susa, Igisha, Karisimbi, Amahoro, Umubano, Sabyinyo, Agashya, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Ugyenda, Bwenge and Muhoza. A gorilla trekking safari here involves walking on foot through the jungles of the Virunga mountains in search of gorillas in their natural habitat.
During the hike, visitors are also treated to astonishing views of the park’s wildlife, such as animals, birds, and primates, as well as stunning views of the landscape. Once these fascinating primates are allocated, visitors are given one hour to watch and photograph them once they are located. Depending on how far the gorilla groups are, treks can be as short as 1 hour and as long as 4 hours.
Gorilla safari in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of Africa’s top destinations for mountain gorilla trekking, offering a raw and adventurous experience amid its rugged landscapes. Gorilla trekking safaris in Congo are normally conducted in the forests of Virunga National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its diverse wildlife and volcanic landscapes. The national park covers a total land area of 7800 square kilometres and is part of the Virunga conservation area, neighbouring Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
The park, Virunga National Park, is one of the four national parks in the world with surviving mountain gorillas, alongside Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both in Uganda. Virunga is home to around 300 mountain gorillas and is one of only a few places where these critically endangered animals can be found.
The gorilla trekking safaris in Congo involve navigating challenging volcanic landscapes and thick jungles in search of those incredibly fascinating primates in their natural habitat. During the trek, visitors have an added chance to meet with other primates that dwell in the forest, such as chimpanzees, blue monkeys, Central African red colobus, De Brazza’s monkeys, Dent’s Mona monkeys, golden monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys.
Besides, the primate visitors will also be fascinated with the view of different animals and bird species such as aardvarks, African buffaloes, African bush elephants, African leopards, bay duikers, blue duikers, Boehm’s bush squirrels, bongos, yellow-billed barbets, white-fronted bee-eaters, red-throated bee-eaters, and white-throated bee-eaters, among others. Aside from gorilla trekking and its exciting wildlife species, Virunga also offers breathtaking views of volcanic craters and lakes.
Once the gorillas are found, visitors are given one hour for viewing and taking photographs. Because of its isolated setting and instability in the country, Virunga is visited by fewer travellers, making for a more exclusive and genuine wilderness encounter.
Best time to go for a gorilla trekking safaris
The best time to visit for a gorilla tour in Africa is usually the dry season, as that makes it easiest to track them. Dry seasons generally run from December to February and then again between June and August. The weather is generally clear, and trails are less muddy during these months, making trekking as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
Gorilla trekking can be done all year, but the wet seasons, which are from March to May and October to November, can be a bit challenging. In these months, the dense vegetation and muddy trails complicate the activity of tracking and can make it more tiring. But a visit in the rains is also rewarding, thanks to fewer travellers and lush, colourful landscapes.
