How To See Gorillas In The Wild, 10 Greatest Places To View Gorillas In Africa

Is it possible to find gorillas in Africa? Indeed, the answer is yes! We’ve compiled a list of all the places in Africa where you can view gorillas. Discover fantastic gorilla-viewing vacations for you and your loved ones.

Many people associate gorilla trekking with Uganda and Rwanda, but there are other more locations where these endangered mountain gorillas may be walked. The ten most renowned gorilla trekking locations in Africa are listed here.

1. Uganda: A Real Gorilla Hiking Adventure!

Uganda ranks first among African places for viewing gorillas. You travel to Bwindi Forest National Park to do mountain gorilla trekking. A gorilla permit costs $ 700 per trekker (1 hour with the mountain gorillas.)

Mgahinga National Park is another option for gorilla trips in Uganda. It is also part of the Trinational Virunga Conservation Area, and habituated gorillas frequently travel into DRC.

Hiking to the summit of Mount Sabinyo, where Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo meet.

This is also an unusual way to witness mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, as it is an island of forest surrounded by a sea of thickly populated farms.

 

Gorilla Safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

At a lower height, you can see Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the north where the roads wind. There are four gorilla groups that are well adapted to tourism, and two more that are adapted to meet demand. Insight Safari Holidays provides the most affordable gorilla safari packages in Uganda.

Some taxonomists consider Bwindi gorillas to be a distinct subspecies of the eastern gorilla, and their lack of brow hair distinguishes them from their shaggier Virunga kin.

Uganda also has many other activities that may be coupled with gorilla trekking, such as hiking the Rwenzori Mountains, white water rafting on the Nile’s source, chimp trekking, and many other Uganda safaris.

 

2. Rwanda’s Mountain Gorillas – Volcanoes National Park

In Rwanda, a gorilla permit costs $1500. The most sumptuous safari in Africa is gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is the size of Wales, with good main roadways and a well-developed substructure. Wild Whispers Africa Limited provides the greatest gorilla hikes in Rwanda.

It is also well known since Dian Fossey’s work was dramatized in the film Gorillas in the Mist, and as a result, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has become a popular destination for mountain gorilla trekking. There are the relaxed gorillas and the open environment, highland vegetation with the breathtaking views that boost the numerous chances of a wonderful gorilla viewing experience.

The guides’ politeness and professionalism will help you cope with the steep hills, stinging nettles, and anxiety that make every panting and muddy step a little easier. During the sunny season, the gorillas are only a short distance from the park boundary, and visitors often wonder what all the fuss is about. It is critical to reserve your gorilla permits in advance. Rwanda gorilla safaris are available.

 

3. Tours with Gorillas Eastern Lowland Gorillas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

3 of the 4 subspecies of mountain gorillas are also present in DR Congo. Tours with habituated gorilla groups began in the 1970s.

In Congo, you may observe the gorillas at Madiakoko Mountains, Virunga National Park, and Kahuzi Biega National Park.

 

4. Nigeria’s Cross River National Park Gorillas from the Cross River

Alongside Cross River National Park in Nigeria, you may visit Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and Mbe Mountains.

Cross River gorillas may also be found in the state of Cross River, where the government has spent considerably on tourism infrastructure such as the excellent cable car up to the Obudu cattle Ranch Hotel.

Despite the odds of seeing these mountain gorillas are slim, their entire population of about 200 individuals is scattered throughout an area of more than 12,000km, including Afi Mountain, the Okwangwo division, and Mbe Mountain of the Cross River National Park.

As a result, scientists are extremely cautious in habituating them. Viewing their environment, as well as the two surviving primate sanctuaries and restoration projects, the pandrillus for tool monkeys and chimps, and the cercopan for the various monkey species situated in Calabar will help to protect it.

 

5. Western Lowland Gorillas of Equatorial Guinea

Monte Alen National Park in Central Rio Muni is home to Western Lowland Gorillas. With a population of little over 316,000 gorillas, they are considered critically endangered.

Monte Alen National Park

Monte Alen National Park is a magnificent wooded park, and its rugged topography helps to keep it from being classified as commercial.

There are no wild Lowland gorillas, as far as we know. The tourist organization is so small and in its early phases of growth that the trained locals have only just begun leading guided day hikes. For the time being, gorillas can be seen in this park.

 

6. Gorilla Tours in Gabon

Gabon, as a country, made a brave move to improve its economy by creating 13 national parks in 2002, the majority of which had gorilla habitats.

This WLG habituation program was terminated in 2010 at the Mikongo conservation center in the Lope National Park. Although the visitors are not taken on the gorilla spotting hikes, the guests can observe them when they are gazing at the animals

Loango National Park

Loango National Park likewise has an unpredictable blend of Atlantic beach and rainforest, where hippos may be seen surfing, whales and dolphins can be spotted in the shallow off-coastlines, and the woods are home to gorillas, chimps, and forest elephants.

The Moukalaba Doudon National Park features a high density of gorillas as well as an eco-tourism initiative that began with the assistance of the Gorilla Organization.

 

7. Western Lowland Gorillas in Angola

Wild lowland gorillas are only found in the Cabinda enclave, which is located in Angola north of the Congo River.

Angola signed the Gorilla Accord in January 2022, which was a significant step toward reaching an agreement on the conservation of gorillas and their environment. They are collaborating with the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP).

 

8. Congo National Park Odzala-Kokoua, Republic of Congo

Because of the death of the habituated gorillas to Ebola in 2002, the adjacent Odzala National Park is one of the greatest places to see wild lowland gorillas.

This park is also now home to two habituated family groups, which people may watch. They are also seen from the hides as they visit the bias or an open clearing in the forest.

The most well-known bai is the Mbeli Bai in the Nouabale Ndoki national park, where you can see over 100 gorillas that have been monitored for many years by the Wildlife Conservation Society; the gorilla groups can be seen paddling into the marsh to forage for water plants near the forest elephants, antelope such as the sitatunga, and buffalos.

The Lefini reserve, where tourists may watch the silverback on the wooded island from the boat, is also reintroducing wild lowland gorillas back into the forest.

 

9. Lowland Gorillas in the Central African Republic

Bai Hokou in Dzanga Ndoki National Park is one of the greatest areas to monitor mountain gorillas, also known as wild lowland gorillas.

The WWF effort was also successful in accustoming the group. You may also expect a peaceful interaction through the deep forest and low light under the canopy, which makes photos more difficult.

 

10. Cameroon

Cameroon’s rainforests and lowland montane forests are home to 11 gorilla families. The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary was founded in early 2000 to protect endangered apes. There are around 300 gorillas in the wild.

 

African Gorilla Species

• Eastern Lowland gorillas.
• Mountain gorillas.
• Western Lowland gorillas.
• Cross River Gorillas.

 

Parks in Africa where gorillas can be found.

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda
• Mgahinga National Park
• Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
• Virunga National Park Congo
• Loango National Park
• Odzala National Park
• Campo Maan National Park
• Limbe Wildlife Centre
• Moukalaba Doudou National Park
• Dzanga Ndoki National Park
• Nouabale Ndoki National Park
• Mefou National Park
• Lope National Park
• Cross River National Park
• Monte Alen National Park
• Kahuzi Biega National Park