Where to see gorillas in Africa

 Where to see gorillas in Africa

Gorilla trekking is one of the most done activities in Africa. Africa is home to all the four subspecies of gorillas which include mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas which are the subspecies of eastern gorillas. Africa is also a home to western gorillas with two subspecies which are cross river gorillas and western lowland gorillas.

As the name suggest, both mountain gorillas of eastern gorilla species and cross river gorillas of wester gorilla species lives in higher altitude. Whereas eastern lowland gorilla of eastern species and western lowland gorilla’s western gorilla subspecies lives on the lower altitude of Africa.

Western gorilla species is called so because they originate from the western part of Africa. However, they also extend to some parts of central Africa in countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.

Eastern gorillas also got their name from their place of origin which is the eastern part of Africa. The eastern gorilla species in east Africa are mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas which are found in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo.

Here are the places where you can see gorillas and how much you will have to pay for your once in lifetime experience while on African vacation safari

Uganda for eastern gorillas (mountain gorillas)

Uganda is a home to over half of the remaining mountain gorilla population with Bwindi impenetrable national park home of most of them. Other Park where mountain gorillas are found in Uganda is Mgahinga gorillas national park that houses on gorilla family that is open for the tourists. Bwindi national park on the other hand has four sectors where gorillas can be trekked. These sectors include Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector and Ruhija. All these four sectors are open for trekking. However, you must select the sector you are interested in trekking while booking your permit as the permit for a certain sector is not allowed to trek in another sector.

Each sector has its own gorilla families that are open for the trekkers. Therefore, while selecting your mountain gorilla family to trek, you need to know in which sector the family is found for better planning of your accommodation and starting point as these sectors are far apart from one another which mean staying at a wrong sector might result into you missing out on your once in lifetime experience.

The price of gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is 800$ for non resident and is booked from Uganda wildlife authority. Trekking last for one hour with gorillas in their natural habitats in the wild of Bwindi or Mgahinga. If you are interested in spending more time with gorillas in their natural habitats, you can consider going for gorilla habituation that is done at Rushaga sector in Bwindi national park. The cost of gorilla habituation in Uganda goes for 1500$ and are booked from Uganda wildlife authority.

Rwanda for eastern gorillas (mountain gorillas)

Another eastern African country with mountain gorillas is Rwanda. Gorillas in Rwanda can be trekked from the famous volcanoes national park. The park is home to 12 habituated gorilla families that are open for visitors. The cost of gorilla permit in Rwanda goes for 1500$ and can be secured from Rwanda development board.

The permit will give you one hour to spend with gorillas while observing their social behaviors. If you are interested in the bespoke services in Rwanda, you can go for an exclusive gorilla trekking that will give you access to your own gorilla family for the day and save you from morning huddles. The cost of exclusive gorilla permit goes for 15,000$ and you must book early enough especially during the peak season.

Democratic republic of Congo (mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas and western lowland gorillas)

Democratic republic of Congo is home to three out of four African gorilla subspecies. In Congo you will be able to encounter mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas and western lowland gorillas. The cost of gorilla permit in Congo is 400$ and can be bought from the park authorities. Mountain gorillas in Congo are found in Virunga national park, the park is part of Virunga massif.

Eastern lowland gorillas can only be found in democratic republic of Congo at kahuzi-Biega national park. So, for any chance to encounter these eastern gorilla subspecies you will have to visit this park. Another gorilla subspecies that is found in Congo is western lowland gorillas. These gorillas are the smallest of the 4-gorilla subspecies and is the most popular gorilla species in Africa. In Congo you will encounter western lowland gorillas at odzala national park. Like other gorillas the price of trekking gorillas will be 400$

Cameroon and Nigeria (Cross river gorillas)

The rarest of the four-gorilla subspecies is cross river with their population estimated to be less than 300 still existing. The western gorilla subspecies are found in the mountains at the boarders of Nigeria and Cameroon. There is no standard permit price due to their scarcity. the prices are determined by the park where these gorillas are found depending on the probability of the success visibility. However, the prices are not likely to go below the standard prices of trekking other gorillas and it might even go above the normal price due to their scarcity.

Other African countries where western lowland gorillas are found

Western lowland gorillas are the most popular gorilla species among the four gorilla species. It lives in different forest of west and central Africa. Other than democratic republic of Congo, these gorillas can also be found in Nigeria, Cameroon, central Africa republic, Congo Brazzaville and Angola.

You can plan to go on gorilla trekking safari on African vacation safari at any time of the year where you will be able to identify and mark the difference of all the four-gorilla subspecies that are found in Africa. Also, not that democratic republic of Congo will offer you an opportunity to encounter three of the four gorilla species that are found in Africa.

Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of East Africa as we invite you to explore the enchanting landscapes, vibrant cultures, and rich biodiversity of Rwanda and Tanzania. This meticulously crafted 10-day itinerary promises an immersive experience, seamlessly blending

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These are 4 days of ultimate adventure in Africa’s most famous home of 360 Mountain Gorillas; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi offers the opportunity to penetrate the impenetrable Bwindi Forest in search for the humble and most endangered Mountain Gorillas and it’s a life time event.

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The 7 Days Gorilla & Wildlife Safari Tour takes you on remarkable Wildlife Adventure in Uganda at Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi Forest National Park. these parks will allow you to do different activities including gorilla trekking, game drive, natural walk and many more and all that will be done with the assistance of the guide

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