Best Places to See Gorillas

Ultimate Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Africa

Exploring the dense tropical rainforests of Africa to encounter the majestic gorillas is an exhilarating journey. As you trek through narrow, often unclear forest trails, cross streams, and navigate muddy, slippery slopes, you’ll appreciate the importance of your hiking boots. The anticipation builds with each step, knowing that the trackers ahead are scouting the jungle for a habituated gorilla family. Typically, after 1-5 hours of strenuous hiking, you’ll come face to face with these incredible creatures. Equipped with only your binoculars, camera, daypack, and enthusiasm, you’re in for a thrilling experience.

There are four gorilla subspecies living in Africa’s tropical rainforests, ranging from endangered to critically endangered. Observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, watching their daily routines, and witnessing moments like a mother gorilla tenderly caring for her young under the watchful eye of a silverback is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here, we present the best places to see gorillas in the wild, whether in Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Uganda is home to the mountain gorillas, a subspecies of the Eastern gorillas, which inhabit two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla trekking is limited to 8 visitors per gorilla family per day across the 22 gorilla families in these parks, so booking 3-6 months in advance is recommended.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park shelters approximately 450 of the 1,080 mountain gorillas left in the wild. Located in the southwestern mountains of Uganda, the park is an 8-9 hour drive from Kampala or a short flight from Entebbe International Airport. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also home to over 120 mammal species, 350 bird species, 200 butterfly species, as well as numerous reptiles and amphibians. The thriving gorilla population here is a testament to successful conservation efforts funded by gorilla tourism.

Accommodations in Bwindi include Mahogany Springs Camp, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, and more. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 for East African residents. For a more immersive experience, the Gorilla Habituation Experience is available at $1,500 per person, allowing four hours with the gorillas instead of the standard one hour.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Rwanda, despite its small size, offers unparalleled wildlife encounters. Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwest about 3 hours from Kigali, is the premier destination for gorilla trekking. The park spans 16,000 hectares of tropical and bamboo forest, encompassing five Virunga Volcanoes. While the park has over 40 gorilla families, only about 12 are habituated for trekking. Expert ranger guides lead visitors through this remarkable environment, which also served as the base for primatologist Dian Fossey.

Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost $1,500 per person, with 10% of the fee going towards community development. Accommodations include One & Only Gorilla’s Nest, Bisate Lodge, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Villa Gorilla, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge, and Muhabura Hotel.

Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The DRC offers unique trekking experiences with both subspecies of Eastern gorillas: mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas. Virunga National Park is home to about 200 mountain gorillas across 8 habituated groups, while Kahuzi-Biega National Park hosts 5 habituated groups of Eastern lowland gorillas. Each day, 64 gorilla permits are issued for Virunga National Park, costing $400 per person, making it a more affordable option compared to Uganda and Rwanda.

Gorilla Trekking in the Central African Republic

For a more rugged adventure, the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve in the Central African Republic offers sightings of Western lowland gorillas within the UNESCO-listed Sangha Trinational Reserve. This untouched wilderness requires physical fitness and resilience, but the reward of encountering these gorillas and forest elephants is unmatched.

Gorilla Trekking in the Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville)

The Republic of Congo provides extraordinary trekking experiences in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a 5,200-square-kilometer expanse of Equatorial rainforest. This park is home to Western lowland gorillas and over 100 mammal species. Trekking permits here cost $350 per person and should be booked well in advance.

Best Time of Year for Gorilla Trekking

While gorilla trekking is possible year-round, the dry season offers more favorable conditions with drier paths and forest floors, making it the best time to embark on this adventure.

Join Africa Safaris offers expertly guided tours to witness these incredible creatures in their natural habitats. Book your gorilla trekking adventure today for an unforgettable experience.