Gorilla trekking in Africa
Gorilla trekking in Africa : Gorillas in Africa are spread out to over 12 countries, about 16 national parks and 10 of these are listed as the best places to visit the mountain gorillas. Great numbers of people book a Rwanda safari or a Uganda safari with an interest of trekking the gorillas. The gorillas are divided into two species which are the eastern gorillas and the western gorillas. The eastern gorillas are also further sub divided into two sub species which are the mountain gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas. The western gorillas are also sub divided into two sub species which are the cross-river gorillas and the western lowland gorillas.
The most famously visited of these sub species are the mountain gorillas and this is majorly because the countries in which they live are safe and accessible however this does not imply that the other gorillas can not be visited. Here are a number of places where you can opt to do gorilla trekking in Africa.
- Uganda
Uganda is taking the first position as this country is a home of the endangered mountain gorilla species. In Uganda, you can visit the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the Mgahinga gorilla national for a chance to spot the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The gorilla trekking activity permit goes for 700 USD per person. Guests who visit the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can decide to take on a gorilla habituation where they spend more than 4 hours with the mountain gorillas.
- Rwanda
Rwanda has been recognized and identified with the luxury gorilla trekking experience so guests looking for an exclusive gorilla trek, Rwanda is the ideal country to visit. Rwanda is another home of the endangered mountain gorillas and these can be visited in the Volcanoes national park of Rwanda. The Volcanoes national park is a home to 12 plus mountain gorilla families and a mountain gorilla trekking permit here goes for 1,500 USD per person.
Trekking gorillas in Rwanda is considered safe and the easiest as gorillas are closer and the vegetation of the park, bamboo, gives guests a clearer view of the gorillas.
- Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic republic of Congo is a great destination for gorilla trekking as it is a home to the two subspecies of the eastern gorillas and these are the eastern lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas in the DR Congo can be visited in the Virunga national park and the lowland gorillas can be trekked in the Kahuzi Biega national park.
A gorilla trekking permit for both parks for both mountain gorilla trekking and lowland gorilla trekking goes for 400 USD. The best airport to access these national parks is the Kigali International airport and drive to connect to the land borders of Rwanda and the DR Congo.
- Nigeria
Nigeria is a home to cross river gorillas and these are a must visit when in Nigeria. The cross-river gorillas in Nigeria can be visited in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mbe Mountains and also in the cross river state. The gorillas are spread out in an area of 12,000 kilometers reaching the Okwangwo division.
These cross-river gorillas can be visited throughout the year but spotting them is a bit slow and takes longer.
- The Equatorial Guinea
The Equatorial Guinea is a home to the western lowland gorillas and these can be visited in the Monte Alen National Park located in the Central Rio Muni. The Monte Alen National Park is mainly forest land and tough terrain to favor the gorillas. The gorillas in this national park are habituated so visits are possible. The tourism in the area may still be a bit slow but is progressing.
- Gabon
Gabon is a home of the western gorillas and on a visit to the Loango National Park, one of the 12 national parks, guests are able to spot these gorillas. Please note that gorilla trekking is not an activity sold alone but the gorillas can be spotted along with the other wildlife. This national park is a home to the chimpanzees and even forest elephants.
There is another park in Gabon known for gorilla concentration and this is the Moukalaba Doudon National Park.
- Angola
Angola is a home to wild lowland gorillas however, these are only seen in the Cabinda enclave and this enclave is located in the northern part of Angola which is the mouth of the famous River Congo. The tourism in this country is starting to take shape as agreements are being signed to protect the gorillas.
- Republic of Congo
The Republic of Congo offers guests a chance to watch the gorillas in the Odzala Kokua national park as there are 2 habituated gorilla families. These are commonly found in the Mbeli Bai where there are over 100 gorillas that you can see and are under the monitoring of the Wildlife Conservation society.
The gorillas you can visit are the western lowland gorillas and these are wild. There are some that were in captivity but currently being put back in the Lefini reserve.
- Central African Republic
The Central African Republic is the best place to visit for the lowland gorilla and these are mostly found in the Bai Hokou located within the Dzanga Ndoki National Park. There is a gorilla family that has been successfully habituated so a visit is possible however you should keep in mind how dense the forest is so there will be less light which won’t favor photography.
- Cameroon
The final gorilla destination best for gorilla trekking is Cameroon. The gorillas found in Cameroon are the lowland gorillas and the population is estimated at 300 gorillas of the gorillas living in the wild. These can be visited in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary and there are about 11 gorilla families. The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary is majorly rain forest and montane forested.
