Gorillas in Africa

Uganda and Rwanda are great places to see both wild and habituated mountain gorillas in Africa. These incredible creatures inhabit the lush rainforests of Bwindi and the Virunga Massif.

The Virunga Conservation Area includes three parks:

• Mgahinga Gorilla Park in Uganda
• Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
• Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Uganda is a top spot for gorilla safaris. It has a large population of mountain gorillas. Other places with gorillas haven’t become popular for trekking safaris. This is due to issues like civil war and failed habituation, among others.

Why is eastern gorilla trekking so trendy?

You need an East African tourist visa valid for 90 days to visit some East African member states. Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya accept this visa. After gorilla tracking, you can visit other game parks in these countries. The visa comes from the country you enter. The joint tourist visa allows multiple entries into three states.

A quick fact to note is that eastern gorillas are the largest of all gorilla species.

You can’t see the mountain gorilla subspecies in zoos. To see them, you have to trek into their natural habitat in the forests of East and Central Africa.

Trekking Eastern gorillas includes other fun safari activities. You can go on game drives in savannah parks or trek to see other primates, like chimpanzees. Uganda is well known for conserving gorillas and several endemic wildlife species. Uganda’s parks protect all the big five animals.

Researchers have habituated more gorilla families in Uganda and Rwanda. You can be sure to see large groups of apes. Some families have more than 40 members. Uganda has two gorilla parks. It also has the most mountain gorilla families that tourists can visit.

Where to Easily See Gorillas in Africa.

Habituating gorilla groups in West and Central Africa hasn’t worked well compared to East Africa. Researchers find few habituated groups in those parts of Africa. Tourists often head to dense forests to find wild gorillas, but sometimes they miss out. The chance of seeing a gorilla family in West and Central Africa is around 70 percent. In East Africa, specifically Uganda and Rwanda, you have a 99% chance of seeing gorillas. This depends on the gorilla family you booked. We can also book a Uganda gorilla permit for you.

Game parks in Uganda and Rwanda offer guaranteed security. Uganda has park rangers and tourism police to guide your great ape trekking safaris.

You can find both chartered and scheduled flights to the gorilla parks in Uganda and Rwanda. You can also travel by plane for a game drive in Uganda’s game parks.