GORILLA DESTINATIONS IN AFRICA

GORILLA DESTINATIONS IN AFRICA

The mountain gorillas can only be seen in three African Countries; Uganda, Democratic republic of Congo and Rwanda. These countries share the Virunga ranges where the mountain gorillas reside in the tropical and montane forests. All the three countries give travelers chances to encounter with the gorillas face to face, simply a lifetime experience.

Uganda, the pearl of Africa hosts half of the population of mountain Gorillas in its Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park with 12 gorilla families open to travelers to trek and one for the four hour gorilla habituation. The Mgahinga gorilla national park is part of the tri national Virunga conservation area and the gorilla group in this park used to cross to DR Congo and Rwanda but now it settled in Uganda.

With these destinations, Uganda is currently the top mountain gorilla destination in Africa. The four gorilla regions in Bwindi present unregretable offers to trek the gentle apes in the jungle. Trekking the gorillas in Uganda’s gorilla homes involves simple hikes into the jungle to search for the elusive gorillas, on meeting them, spend a full hour watching the mighty silverbacks play with each other from one tree branch to another and taking photos of this thrilling moment. This is indeed a magical hour.

Note that Uganda does not only offer gorilla safaris, but also chimpanzee tracking in Kibale forest, Budongo forest, Kyabura gorge, Kalinzu ecotourism site and many others. Still in Uganda, visitors enjoy game-drives in the hidden beautiful savannah parks, boat cruises on the mirror like water bodies and strenuous yet exciting hikes to the top of numerous mountains and hills.

Rwanda, also known as the land of a thousand hills is another gorilla home in Africa. With only 10 habituated gorilla groups in volcanoes national park; the prime home for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, the country furnishes ape experiences that are not experienced anywhere else in Africa. Rwanda is the ancestor of gorilla tourism in Africa where gorilla tracking was first initiated in the campaign to save the great apes by Dian Fossey.

Travelers on Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris still consider exploring Akagera national park for wildlife viewing, the best park for game drives in Rwanda and a boat cruise on Lake Ihema. Other visitors opt to explore Nyungwe forest national park for the only canopy walk in east Africa and chimpanzee tracking.

While on a safari in Rwanda, trotters also enjoy comfortable boat cruises on Lake Kivu with pleasant relaxation. Cultural safaris in Rwanda are one thing one can never go wrong on. So if anywhere in or around Rwanda, a combined gorilla safari with other tourism products in Rwanda is worth every single penny.

Talking about gorilla destinations in Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo cannot be left out. The country also got a fair share of the mountain gorillas in Virunga national park and Kahuzi Biega national park. DR Congo would have offered the best gorilla trekking experiences in Africa because even its gorilla permits are relatively cheaper than those in Uganda and Rwanda, but, the country has for long been mulled with wars and political instabilities limiting the number trekkers that flock the country.

Note that DR Congo’s Virunga national park is the only park in Africa where the mountain gorillas meet with the lowland gorillas, so primate lovers can simply trek both the ape species in one park for lifelong experiences.

Something important to remember is that mountain gorilla trekking in these destinations is an all year round activity, though the best seasons to trek the gorillas would be the dry seasons of January and February and from June to September. If you have not yet trekked the mighty apes in their natural habitats, its high time you booked a gorilla safari trip in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Don’t be left by this gorilla trekking error, the most trending tourist activity in the world.