What are the Major Gorilla Trekking Locations in Africa

Are you planning and interested in visiting Africa to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat and you are searching online What are the Major Gorilla Trekking Locations in Africa, Eco Adventure Safaris explains the best place you can visit for gorilla trekking to see gorillas in the wild in Africa? Gorilla Trekking in Africa is one of the once in a lifetime experience that attracts many travelers to do during their visit to Africa. Despite the high costs, time and discomfort from booking to doing the hike through the forest to search for these endangered apes watching gorillas in their natural habitat

Gorilla trekking is a popular and unique wildlife experience in Africa, offering visitors the chance to observe these majestic primates in their natural habitats. The major gorilla trekking locations in Africa include:

1. Uganda

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Located in southwestern Uganda, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The dense, misty forest provides an enchanting backdrop for gorilla trekking.
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Also in southwestern Uganda, this park is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area. It hosts one habituated gorilla family and offers scenic views of the Virunga volcanoes.

2. Rwanda

• Volcanoes National Park: Situated in the northwest of Rwanda, this park is famous for its role in the work of Dian Fossey and her efforts to study and conserve mountain gorillas. The park offers well-organized treks and a high probability of successful gorilla sightings.

3. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

• Virunga National Park: Located in eastern DRC, Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park and one of the most biologically diverse areas on the continent. Despite security concerns in the region, it offers incredible gorilla trekking experiences.
• Kahuzi-Biega National Park: Also in the DRC, this park is one of the last refuges of the eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas). The park provides an opportunity to see these less commonly visited gorillas in a beautiful montane and lowland forest setting.

4. Central African Republic (CAR)

• Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve: This reserve is part of the larger Sangha Trinational area and is one of the few places where you can trek to see western lowland gorillas. The reserve offers an off-the-beaten-path experience for adventurous travelers.

5. Lobéké National Park, Cameroon

• Lobéké National Park is located in the southeastern part of Cameroon, forming part of the Sangha Trinational Conservation Area along with Dzanga-Sangha in the Central African Republic and Nouabalé-Ndoki in the Republic of Congo.
• This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity, including a variety of primates, large mammals, and bird species.
• The park is home to the rare and critically endangered Cross River gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli), a subspecies of the western gorilla. These gorillas are found in a limited range, with Lobéké being one of their key habitats.

What are the Major Gorilla Trekking Locations in Africa, each of these locations offers unique experiences and varying levels of difficulty, accessibility, and amenities, but all provide the incredible opportunity to encounter gorillas in their natural habitats.

What is gorilla trekking in Africa

Gorilla Trekking involves hiking/walking through the forest and at some point difficult terrain, thick vegetation, crossing rivers and swamps in search for gorillas, this activity is challenging and it requires one to be fit at the time of the trek. Gorilla trekking gives you an opportunity to encounter and watch the gorillas in their natural habitat for one hour in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. For travelers who would like to spend more time with the gorillas in their natural habitat can opt to visit Bwindi Forest for Gorilla Habituation experience which gives you 4 hours encounter with the gorillas.

Best Places to See Wild Gorillas in Africa?

Gorilla Trekking in Africa is done in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo which host the four national parks that are home the only remaining mountain gorilla specie. These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. In Congo you as well have an opportunity to see the Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. In order to trek at any of the mentioned national park a gorilla permit is required for you to be allowed to go for gorilla trekking. With this once you have you planned dates of gorilla trekking we recommend you start booking your gorilla trip immediately given the fact services and permits sell out very quickly especially if you plan to do the trek in the peak season of June to September, it is always better to book at least 5 months in advance prior travelling. Gorilla Trekking at the mentioned parks can be booked directly or through a trusted Tour Operator.

Cost and Getting Gorilla permits in Uganda

From 1^st July 2024 to 30^th June 2026, the Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $800 for the Foreign nonresidents, $700 for residents, $500 for Rest of Africans and $80 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Eco Adventure Safaris.

Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

The Gorilla permit in Rwanda Costs $1500 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $500 Per person for foreign residents and $200 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda has 12 Gorilla families hence 96 Gorilla permits are available each day for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Getting gorilla permits in Rwanda can be done directly by booking them through Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator in Rwanda like Eco Adventure Safaris.

Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in DR Congo

Gorilla tracking in Congo is done in Virunga National Park for Mountain Gorillas and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for Lowland gorillas. A gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs $400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then $200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year. A gorilla permit in Kahuzi Beiga National Park costs $400 for foreign non residents, $200 for East Africa Residents and $20 national resident. Getting gorilla permits in Congo can be done directly by booking them through Virunga National Park or through a trusted tour operator like Eco Adventure Safaris.

P.S When booking your gorilla permit it is important to note that the gorilla permit price excludes accommodation, air tickets, ground transport, meals and other expenses, you will need to get more details of the package you are booking with your tour operator.

Uganda is one of the Best places to visit gorillas in Africa, compared to Congo Uganda is safe for travelers and compared to Rwanda Uganda is much affordable for gorilla trekking.

What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?

Visiting Africa to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years and the maximum age is 85 years depending on fitness levels. Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi forest through provision of sedan chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the sedan chair can done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.

What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?

Gorilla trekking in Africa is done throughout the year and the best time to do a gorilla trekking in Africa is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this is makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.

What to pack for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?

Trekking Gorillas in Uganda exclusively alone. During gorilla tracking you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots.  Conditions are generally very muddy in the forest when it is raining. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous.  It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants.  Suggested Items to pack for Gorilla trekking;

•          Insect Repellent                      

•          Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries

•          Wet Wipes                             

•          Water Bottle                             

•          Camera, lenses etc

•          Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks  

•          Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking

•          Sandals/strops/walking shoes    

•          Hat and Sunscreen

•          Rain Jacket

•          Sweater/fleece

•          Swimwear

•          Binoculars (game/bird watching)

Visiting Africa to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat with Eco Adventure Safaris

Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book your Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Rwanda Africa and DR Congo contact us and we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla permits. Feel free to checkout our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can be rest assured of a memorable Uganda safari holiday.

What are the Major Gorilla Trekking Locations in Africa? We are devoted to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions. We guarantee you a great gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo with us. Feel free to contact us here for more details about What are the Major Gorilla Trekking Locations in Africa.