Where is the Best Place to See Mountain Gorillas? You must visit any of these places otherwise you will not see mountain gorillas for a lifetime!
Did you know that East Africa has the best places to see mountain gorillas on a safari? Mountain gorillas are large and powerful primates that live in the forested areas of Africa. They live in families made up of more than 5 members. Mountain gorillas are believed to be close relatives of human beings. They share 98% of DNA with humans and they are the closest cousins of man. In Africa in search of mountain gorillas, travelers can visit central Africa or East Africa.
In central Africa, some gorilla species can be found in countries like Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria. In the East Africa region, gorillas are found in areas of Rwanda and Uganda. The East African region is one of the best places to see mountain gorillas. The area is well-developed for travelers to see these mountain gorillas.
Reasons why East Africa is the best place to see mountain gorillas
Below are some of the reasons why Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo are the best places to see mountain gorillas;
- The large investment in conservation efforts through anti-poaching campaigns, and monitoring the gorillas.
- Uganda is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla families
- Well-improved infrastructure within the destinations where mountain gorillas can easily be sotted
- High investment in the habituating of the gorillas to increase the space of seeing the gorillas.
- Well-improved security for travelers during a visit to the national parks
- Cheap or discounted mountain gorilla trekking permits
- Gorilla safari destinations can easily be combined with other parks. An opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.
In which place can you see mountain gorillas?
In East Africa, the mountain gorillas are in two countries that is Uganda and Rwanda and the national parks they are located include;
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda within the Virunga region at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the oldest parks in Africa and holds a history of gorilla conservation. The gorilla conservation works in this park were geared by the late Dian Fossey at the Karisoke Research Centre. Her works helped in conserving the extinct primates in Africa since they were being hunted down by poachers. In this park, there are several habituated gorilla families that travelers on their gorilla safaris can engage in.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (The place where gold meets silver)
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in the Virunga region. This park is the smallest in Uganda comprising of the mountain gorillas that travelers on their Uganda safaris can encounter.
In this park, there is one habituated gorilla family that travelers can track during their safaris.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also within southwestern Uganda and it is one of the parks with the highest number of mountain gorillas. In Uganda, the habituation and trekking gorilla history started in this park. The park is divided into 4 sectors which include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo. All these sectors have several gorilla families that travelers on their Uganda safaris can track. In the Bwindi impenetrable national park, there are over 19 gorilla families that travelers can see during their safaris.
Rwanda or Uganda, which is the best place to see mountain gorillas?
Both the experiences in the two countries look different and the comparison between these countries includes;
Trekking permits
In Uganda, trekking permits are sold only to tour operators by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The cost of the trekking permits to Uganda includes 800 USD for the foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for the foreign residents, 500 USD for the rest of Africa, and 300000UGX for the East African residents. Travelers are supposed to book in time to ensure availability during the track day.
In Uganda, there are over 168 trekking permits that are available per day. Whereas in Rwanda, the gorilla trekking safaris take you through the volcanic national park and their trekking permits cost include 1500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 500 USD for foreign residents, 200 USD for Rwandese residents, and East African residents. The trekking permits in Rwanda are about 96 gorilla permits that travelers need to book in time to engage in the gorilla trekking.
Gorilla families
Travelers usually several gorilla families during the safaris. In Rwanda, there are 12 habituated gorilla families that travelers can track during their safaris. In Uganda, there are over 20 gorilla families that travelers encounter during the gorilla safaris. Travelers in Uganda have more gorilla families to encounter during the safaris which makes it a better place to see the mountain gorillas.
Extra activities to see the mountain gorillas
In Rwanda, there are no extra activities that travelers can engage in to see the mountain gorillas. Whereas in Uganda travelers can engage in the gorilla habituation process and during this activity, travelers have more time with the mountain gorillas. Travelers to engage in the gorilla habituation are supposed to have acquired the gorilla habituation permits. The gorilla habituation permits cost about 1,500 USD for foreign nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents, and 750000 UGX for East African residents.
Travelers are also supposed to book the gorilla habituation permits in time to ensure availability during the safari.
How much is a gorilla trekking safari?
The gorilla trekking safari package cost also determines the best place to see the mountain gorillas. This safari in Rwanda costs about 2500 USD and above. While in Uganda, the gorilla trekking safari package costs about 1800 USD and above.
Where to stay on a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda?
While in Rwanda for the gorilla trekking safaris, travelers have several accommodation facilities that they can stay in for a safari. The accommodation facilities in Rwanda are ranked midrange, budget, and luxury facilities. These facilities include; Sabyinyo Gorilla Lodge, Gorillas Lake Kivu Lodge, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Five Volcanos Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorilla Nest Lodge, Le Bambou Lodge Gorilla, Villa Gorilla Hotel, and many others.
Where to stay during a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda?
In Uganda, there are a variety of accommodation facilities that travelers on their safaris they can choose to stay in during their safari. All these accommodation facilities are situated around Uganda’s national parks for the gorilla trekking. The accommodation facilities in Uganda include the Volcanoes Lodge, Gahinga Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Lodge, Rushaga Havens Lodge, and many others.
