Major spots of mountain gorillas in Africa

Looking for major spots of mountain gorillas in Africa? Africa has 3 countries where you can meet mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Countries in Africa where you can meet face to face with mountain gorillas are Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo. If you are intending to visit Africa to trek mountain gorillas then you will have to organize a safari to one of the three countries. Mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park with more than a half of the mountain gorilla population, mountain gorillas in Rwanda are found in volcanoes national park on the eastern side of the country while those in DR Congo are found in Virunga national park.

Locations / Major spots of mountain gorillas in Uganda Africa

Uganda is the luckiest country to be having 2 places to trek the endangered mountain gorillas and all of these are situated in the southwestern part of the country. The 2 national parks are Mgahinga national park with over 100 mountain gorillas, and then Bwindi impenetrable forest national park with more than a half of the mountain gorilla population left in the world. The mountain gorillas in Mgahinga national park have found their home in the bamboo type of vegetation while those in Bwindi impenetrable forest live in the tropical and sub-tropical vegetation.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park located in the southwestern part of the country is the most famous national park because it hosts more than half of the mountain gorilla population left in the world. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park was gazetted in 1993 to protect the remaining species of mountain gorillas, over 120 mammal species, 346 species, and over 11 primates.

Gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

There are 4 gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park with different mountain gorilla families that are open for trekking. The 4 gorilla trekking sectors of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are Buhoma with 5 gorilla families, Ruhija with 4 gorilla families, Nkuringo with 3 gorilla families, and Rushaga with 8 gorilla families. Each sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in its direction so if you are intending to do a gorilla trekking safari on your own you will have to book accommodation facilities in that sector of the park.

In the Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, there is gorilla habituation experience in Bikingi and Rushaga sectors of the park. Gorilla habituation allows you to stay around mountain gorillas for a maximum of 4 hours so you will have to inform your tour operator if you are interested in gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation. Gorilla trekking is done by people with valid gorilla trekking permits that are acquired from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator. On the day of gorilla trekking, the tourists will need to first have a briefing where you will be taught about the dos and don’ts of the trekking activity then a ranger guide will lead you to the jungle to look for these primates.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park takes 2-7 hours depending on the location of the allocated mountain gorilla family. During the trekking exercise, the trekkers will meet different mountain gorilla families, bird species, and different tree species. After hours you searching and locating mountain gorillas, the trekkers will be given a maximum of 1 hour to be around them as they learn about their habits and take photos. After spending 1 hour with mountain gorillas, the trekkers get back to the starting point where they are awarded gorilla trekking certificates.

Getting to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be accessed by both air transport or road transport.

Road transport – People who want to enjoy the countryside can use road transport to get to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. from Kampala/Entebbe one can access Bwindi impenetrable forest national park using Masaka – Mbarara- Kabale – Kisoro road to any sectors of the park taking them 9-10 hours. From Kigali, a traveler can access Bwindi impenetrable forest national park through Cyanika border in Kisoro or Katuna border in Kabale to the park and lastly, people from queen Elizabeth national park can access Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park from Ishasha sector taking only 2-3 hours.

Air transport – tourists with enough money to fly them to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can use chattered flights from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe international airport to Kihihi airstrip inside Bwindi impenetrable forest national park or Kisoro airstrip. From the airstrip, you can use road transport means to the park or lodges.

Accommodation in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

There are different sectors in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and each sector has got its own accommodation facilities this means when you book a sector in the park you have to book accommodation in that particular sector. The accommodation facilities in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are as follows

Rushaga sector – Gorilla Safari Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Nshongi camp, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, and Rushaga Gorilla Camp among others.

Buhoma sector – Buhoma Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Trekkers Tavern, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Mahogany Springs, Lake Kitandara Bwindi Camp, Gorilla Conservation Camp, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge among others.

Nkuringo sector – Nkuringo Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Back Packer’s Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Safari Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, gorilla heights lodge, and crested crane Bwindi lodge among others.

Ruhija sector – Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Cuckoo land Tented Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Ruhija Safari Lodge, Gift of nature lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, and Trekkers Tavern among others. 

Mgahinga national park

Apart from Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Mgahinga national park is another place to meet face to face with the endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda and was gazetted to protect the remaining species of mountain gorillas in 1991. The Park is home to about 100 mountain gorillas with only 1 habituated gorilla family Nyakagezi that live in the bamboo shoots all over the park. Mgahinga national park hosts 3 of Virunga mountains namely – Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura, and is also part of the Virunga conservation area neighboring volcanoes national park of Rwanda and Virunga national park, and DR Congo

Mgahinga national park has so many activities that can be done while on a safari such as a gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, hiking, cultural encounters with the Batwa group of people, birding, and nature walks. The fact that there is only one gorilla family in Mgahinga national park implies that only 8 gorilla trekking permits are available for trekking each day in the park so people who hate crowds can visit the park.

Where to stay in Mgahinga national park

There are several accommodation facilities in Mgahinga national park where travelers can stay during their safari in the park. The park has accommodation facilities offering luxury, mid-range, and budget options and these include Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge, Kisoro tourist hotel, Amajambere I’wacu camp, Sky Blue, Virunga hotel and campsite, mountain Gahinga rest camp, Community Campground, and Mountain Gahinga lodge.

Getting to Mgahinga national park

Mgahinga national park can be accessed by both air transport and road transport.

Road transport – People who want to enjoy the countryside can use road transport to get to Mgahinga national park. From Kampala/Entebbe open can access Mgahinga national park using Masaka – Mbarara- Kabale – Kisoro road to the park taking 9-10 hours, from Kigali a traveler can access Cyanika border in Kisoro to the park

Air transport – luxurious tourists to Mgahinga national park can use chattered flights from Kajjansi airstrip or Entebbe international airport to Kisoro airstrip. From the airstrip, you can use road transport means to Mgahinga national park or lodges.

Places / major spots to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda Africa

Rwanda is one of the three countries in the world where mountain gorillas can be done. The country has only one national park where mountain gorilla trekking is done and this is volcanoes national park located in the northeastern part of the country. Yes Volcanoes national park in Rwanda is one of the major spots of mountain gorillas in Africa. It is a home to mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, mammals, and different bird species.

Volcanoes national park

Volcanoes national park located in the northeastern part of the country is the most visited national park in the country attracting thousands of tourists to trek mountain gorillas. Volcanoes national park is home to 10 habituated mountain gorilla families that are open for trekking at any time of the year. To do gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park you will need to have a valid gorilla trekking permit from Rwanda development board that is bought at a fee of $1500 and you must be 15 years and above.

Gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park starts with a briefing at Kinigi park headquarters in the morning after which trekkers are grouped and a range guide leads them into the jungle to search for the mountain gorillas. After 2-7 hours of trekking and locating mountain gorillas, the trekkers are given 1 hour to be around mountain gorillas as they ask the ranger guide about any information, they would want to know about mountain gorillas, watch them do daily activities, and also take photos.

Getting to volcanoes national park

Volcanoes national park can be accessed from Kigali city by driving northeast of Rwanda to Musanze district taking you only 2-3 hours. Volcanoes national park is so close to the city it’s very possible to do a 1 day gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda by waking up early in the morning drive to the park, trek mountain gorillas and drive back to the city. Because of the nearness to the airport, many people prefer to trek mountain gorillas in volcanoes national park compared to Mgahinga national park and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park of Uganda not forgetting Virunga national park of DR Congo among the major spots of mountain gorillas in Africa.