Africa is the only continent on earth eligible for the trekking of mountain gorillas, keeping over 1000 mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas can only be trekked in three African countries: Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Uganda and Rwanda are all located in the Eastern parts of Africa (East Africa) well as Democratic Republic of Congo lies in the Central parts of Africa (Central Africa). The gorilla trekking safaris in all the three countries is the same though it differs with the prices of the gorilla permits, as the permit cost differently in each of the above countries.
A Congo gorilla permit is the cheapest of all as it costs US$ 400, well as the most expensive one is the Rwanda permit which costs US$ 1500. A Uganda gorilla permit costs US$ 600.
Uganda protects the largest number of mountain gorillas in the world and it has two mountain gorilla trekking national parks, which are: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park of which the park itself comprises of almost half of the total number of mountain gorillas in the world (500 and more mountain gorillas). Bwindi comprises of four sectors where gorilla trekking takes place, and these sectors are; Buhoma sector, Rushaga sector, Ruhija sector, and Nkuringo sector.
The Park comprises of 18 habituated gorilla families which are open to trekkers and these include: Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura and Katwe, which are found in Buhoma sector, Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Mukyunguzi, Bushaho and Bikingi, which are found in Rushaga sector, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, Oruzogo and Mukiza, which are found in Ruhija sector, plus Nkuringo and Christmas which are found in Nkuringo sector.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another park in Uganda which keeps the mountain gorillas and the park so far consists of one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi making up 19 habituated gorilla families in Uganda as whole. Both Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks are found in the southwestern parts of Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park that is located in the northwestern parts of the country bordering Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Volcanoes, Mgahinga and Virunga National Parks all lie in the same conservation area (Virunga massif) and they are contiguous to each other, despite of the fact that they are found in different countries.
Volcanoes National Park comprises of 11 habituated gorilla families which are; Susa 1, Agashya, Titus, Karisimbi, Bwenge, Hirwa, Kwitonda, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Umubano, and Ugenda. Besides the trekking of mountain gorillas, tourists will also have a great opportunity to trek the golden monkeys which are also resided in the Park.
Slightly similar to gorilla trekking in Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo also comprises of two gorilla trekking national parks like Uganda only the difference is that the two parks in Congo inhabit two different gorilla types; the rare endangered mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and the eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park unlike in Uganda whereby all its two Parks protect mountain gorillas.
There are eight (8) habituated gorilla families in Congo’s Virunga National Park: Bageni gorilla family, Lulengo gorilla family, Rugendo gorilla family, Mapuwa gorilla family, Humba gorilla family, Kabirizi gorilla family, Munyaga gorilla family, and Nyakamwe gorilla family. Trekkers in Virunga will also get a chance of viewing the world’s largest bubbling lava lake, which is resided at the summits of Nyiragongo volcano in Virunga National Park. The hiking permit for Nyiragongo costs lesser than the Congo gorilla permit, as it costs only US$ 300.
Gorilla trekking in all the parks is done in groups of 8 individuals per trekking group and trekkers will spend one hour with the gorillas, achieving an experience of a lifetime. The activity of gorilla trekking will begin with early mornings’ briefings at the Parks’ headquarters, whereby the trekkers will be guided on how best to do the activity and teaching them about the trekking trails in the park. There are some major rules and regulations governing the activity which trekkers should get to know before going in for the trekking activity and some of these include; keep a certain distance of at least 7 meters away from the gorillas while viewing them, maintain maximum silence during the trekking session, do not mimic the gorillas, do not use flashlight cameras while taking the gorillas’ photographs, and all the trails in the park should be led by park rangers/guides, among others which will be told to you during the briefing. The parks comprise of good budget, mid-range and luxury safari accommodations which will offer a comfortable stay to its visitors while enjoying the gorilla expeditions in the African continent.
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