Top Gorilla Locations in the world

What are the top gorilla locations in the world? If you’re planning for mountain gorillas in their natural habitat on your vacation in East Africa, look out for Uganda, and Rwanda for an amazing experience. This article has all you need to know while booking your East African gorilla vacation. Most travelers come to East Africa because of the wildlife safari, but Africa Adventure Vacations gives more things to add to your package.

Gorilla trekking is one of the most popular wildlife activities which attracts travelers to visit East Africa. Each year East Africa receives about 100,000 visitors for observing the remaining mountain gorillas on the earth. When you do this activity, you will find it an amazing memorable experience. Gorilla trekking is so interesting because it is done through hiking deep inside the jungles of East Africa for about 1-2 hours while also spotting smaller primates, forest antelopes, butterflies, and a lot of bird species plus rare vegetation before finding a gorilla group. If want to enjoy this amazing experience, Africa Adventure Vacations always advise you to plan and book a gorilla permit like 3 months before the traveling dates especially during the peak season that are from June-September and December- February.

The top gorilla trekking natural habitat in East Africa is Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park of Uganda, and Volcanoes national park of Rwanda. However, you need to plan well your tour in advance to avoid disappointments. If you do your books earlier, you will get all the gorilla permits you want even during the peak season for Rwanda or Uganda.

Top Gorilla locations in Uganda?

Uganda is the only destination in East Africa with two natural habitats for mountain gorillas and these include; Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. Both these national parks are located in the southwestern parts of Uganda and also offer the same experience. On your holiday, plan a tour and visit one of them, where you will enjoy one of the best memorable experiences in East Africa. The following top gorilla locations in Uganda include;

The Bwindi impenetrable national park

Gorilla trekking is a famous wildlife activity in the Bwindi forest. The experience was carried out while passing through dense forests to track the gorillas that behave and resembles humans. These primates are endangered and only about 1000 individuals remained on earth. The Bwindi impenetrable forest is among the few remaining habitats for mountain gorillas in East Africa. This forest holds almost half of the remained mountain gorillas, its dense forest provides shelter and food to mountain gorillas which helps them to grow well. Bwindi is also the only area in East Africa where a tourist has a chance to spend 4 hours with mountain gorillas.

Bwindi forest hosts almost half of the remained mountain gorillas, with over 500 individuals. It is also blessed with a wide range of tourists attractions which includes; bird watching with over 350 bird species, 200 tree species, 311 butterfly species as well as 120 primates including the black and white Columbus monkeys and chimpanzees can see during gorilla trekking.

Gorilla trekking spots in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is too big and gorilla trekking is done in four sectors that are Buhoma sector, Nkuringo, Rushaga sectors, and Ruhija sector

Buhoma sector. This sector is positioned in the northern region of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Buhoma sector is one of the most visited regions in the forest, it was the first sector to be opened for tourism. This sector has five habituated gorilla family which include; Mubare gorilla family, the Rushagura gorilla family, the Habinyanja gorilla family, the Katwa gorilla family, and the Binyindo gorilla family. Buhoma sector is also surrounded by various safari lodges where one can spend a night and complete his/her tour like Buhoma lodge. Other tourist activities to combine with gorilla trekking while at Buhoma sector are visiting the Batwa community, mountain bike rides and guided nature walks.

Ruhija sector is situated in the eastern region of Bwindi impenetrable national park, Ruhija is an exhilarating sector with 3 gorilla families where mountain gorilla trekking takes place and these families include; Bitukura gorilla group, Oruzogo gorilla family, and Kyaguriro gorilla family. It is also the best place for bird lovers while walking around the Mubwindi swamp or bamboo trail.

Rushanga sector. The southern parts of the Bwindi forest are where the Rushanga sector is located. This is among the sectors with the greatest population of mountain gorilla families in the park Rushaga sector is also best for the tourists coming from Kigali using the cyanika border in Kisoro district. Rushanga sector is an amazing sector with many gorilla groups which include; Nshoga gorilla group, Kahungye gorilla group, Busingye gorilla group, Bweza gorilla group, Mishaya gorilla group, Bushaho gorilla group, and Much8nguzi gorilla group. It is also the best place for those who wish to spend more time with mountain gorillas with the help of rangers and researchers as they take you through the whole process of gorilla habituation experience.

Nkuringo gorilla sector is located in the southern region of Bwindi impenetrable national park. The sector has 3 gorilla families that one can trek which are named; Nkuringo gorilla family, Bushaho gorilla family, and Christmas gorilla family. Other activities to do after gorilla trekking in this sector are village walks, where you will get a chance to taste locally brewed sorghum beer and local food and it is also best for bird lovers.

Mgahinga Gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park is also a natural habitat for mountain gorillas. With over 80 mountain gorillas, however, it has only one habituated gorilla family which is already for trekking and is known as the Nyakagezi gorilla family.

Gorilla permits for trekking gorillas of Mgahinga national park are available and can be obtained directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through Africa Adventure Vacations and can be got in the last hours. Mgahinga is also surrounded by different safari lodges where one can stay which are ranging from budget, mid-range up to luxury like Lake Mutanda in Kisoro.

What are the costs for gorilla trekking in Uganda?

A permit for gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga national park goes at $700 for foreign nonresidents per person each trek, $600 for foreign residents, and 250,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens. The gorilla trekking permit can either be acquired from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through Africa Adventure Vacations. This gorilla trekking permit allows a tourist to spend only one hour with mountain gorillas while learning more about their behaviors like nesting, how mothers feed their younger ones, playing, and so on. Gorilla trekking permit includes park entrance fee, Park ranger fee, and community development contributions.  Tourists are advised to book gorilla trekking permits like 3 months before the traveling dates to avoid disturbance, especially during the peak season because it is when most tourists visit Uganda for gorilla trekking. Only 8 tourists are allowed to visit a gorilla group every day and those below 15 years of age are not accepted to trek.

Top Gorilla Locations in Rwanda?

Are you looking for top Gorilla locations in Rwanda Africa, yes Volcanoes national park is among the best destination for mountain gorilla trekking experiences.

Volcanoes national park.

The Volcanoes national park is one of the amazing tourist destinations in the northwestern region of Rwanda and takes about 107 kilometers from the capital Kigali. The park has a hilly land with bamboo and montane forest which makes it an amazing home for mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are increasing in the forest because of the very cool temperatures, dense forests, and mountainous.  The forest is home to over 320 mountain gorillas with 10 habituated gorilla families which are already for tourism. The gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda goes at 1500USD per person per trek.

Rwanda offers a gorilla trekking experience that is different from that one of Uganda. However, they both have a rewarding experience. The difference is gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done on the slopes of the Virunga conservation areas while in Uganda is best in the ancient Bwindi impenetrable forest. Therefore, these are the reasons why these two destinations are taken as the top gorilla trekking locations in East Africa than other areas.

Besides Rwanda and Uganda, travelers can opt to to Virunga national park in DR Congo for mountain gorilla trekking safaris.

Reasons to book with Africa Adventure Vacations.

Traveling to a new place is so exciting and it is one of the greatest experiences one can ever encounter. You get a chance to encounter the food, culture, and natural resources of the area. Africa Adventure Vacations is the best tour operator that can help you experience all the amazing cultures in Africa plus the authentic wildlife. Africa Adventure Vacations can help you to save money and restless nights trying to look for where to go. We are experienced and well informed and passionate about what we do. Africa Adventure Vacations is locally raised and has got a business license. We are quick to respond to any kind of questions from our clients. We have got the best tour packages and Pricing .Our Company can afford the group size that you would like to come along with.