Africa is the best continent to go gorilla trekking due to the several national parks distributed in the various countries, Africa has got both the lowland and mountain gorillas but majorly. Uganda, DR. Congo and Rwanda are among the best countries to go for gorilla trekking in Africa. These three countries have got a nice experiential stand regarding gorilla trekking tours in both East and Central Africa. Gorillas in Uganda are tracked from Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is found in the south western parts of the country and it is one of the best stop overs for gorilla trekkers who visit Uganda frequently. The park has got the highest number of the endangered mountain gorillas compared to other national parks where these are found too. Bwindi only has got over 400 gorilla individuals separated in its four sectors of Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and the Buhoma sector. These have got different gorilla groups that are always led by the male silver back.
Rushaga has got the largest number of habituated gorillas with Busingye, Bweza, Kahungye, Mishaya, Nshongi and the Bikingi groups, In Buhoma there are Rushegura, Habinyanja and Mubare which is the oldest groups to be tracked here. In Ruhija there are Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura and the Kyaguriro which is majorly for research purposes whereas in Nkuringo groups such as Bushaho and Nkuringo groups are the tracked ones.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another park where visitors can go for gorilla tracking, this is located in the southwestern tip of Uganda, this is the smallest Uganda national park, the park has got three mountains including, Mt Muhavura, Mt Sabyinyo and Mt Gahinga. This has got one gorilla group only and this is the Nyakagezi gorilla group, this is habituated and also trekked. During trekking, visitors enjoy an artistic impression of the park including the rugged terrains and the jagged mountains that visitors go through during gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost $600 per person and per trek and gorilla habituation permit cost $1500 per individual.
Rwanda is another gorilla trekking destination with also a great number of gorillas groups that are trekked and habituated. Rwanda is regarded as the most peaceful countries with and one with the best clean city within Africa. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is tracked from Volcanoes National Park. The park is said to have around 10 groups that are tracked and the price tag for gorilla trekking in Rwanda goes for $1500 USD.
Volcanoes national park is located in the north western parts of Rwanda and from Kigali city to the park it’s a 2-3hours drive. This is an amazing place to visit since visitors even get a chance to hike to the Diane Fossey Tomb a lady who loved the gorillas a lot, she was buried within the park and she was a great researcher who spent most of her life in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning since gorillas are mobile and they spend their day searching for food, therefore seeing them takes some good time during the trek.
Democratic Republic of Congo is another country where the endangered mountain gorilla can be trekked, though Congo borders Uganda to the west and Rwanda to the west too, it is found in central Africa. The country is one of the best gorillas trekking hub with two gorilla groups including the Lowland and Mountain gorillas. The country has got two national parks; Virunga National park is one of the best places to go for trekking. The boundaries of this park are shared with Uganda and Rwanda.
Gorilla tracking permits in Congo cost $400 per person and it has got the cheapest price tag compared to other countries, trekker’s starts from Bukima Patrol Post, every group of trekkers is accompanied by park rangers who give security to the visitors throughout the activity. Congo gorillas are easily seen by the tourists and one cannot leave the park minus seeing these gentle creatures in their natural habitat.
Visitors can do double gorilla trekking within the same country, Kahuzi-Biega is another national park in DR. Congo where visitors can go and trek the Lowland gorillas. This is where the two hills of Kahuzi and Biega are found and the national park was named after these mountains. Hence trekking from DR. Congo gives visitors different trekking options whether to trek the Lowland gorillas or to trek the Mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park.
