The best places in the world to see gorillas are Rwanda, Uganda, DRC and the Republic of Congo. Where can you see wild gorillas in Africa? Our expert lists 10 countries where different types of gorilla can be observed, including mountain gorillas and western lowland gorillas. Cross River gorillas are only found in the Cross River State, where the government has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure (for example, the spectacular cable car to the Obudu Cattle Ranch Hotel). However, chances of seeing gorillas here are still low.
Their total population now consists of 200 to 300 individuals spread over an area of 3,000 square miles, including Afi Mountain, Mbe Mountain and the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park. This is why scientists are careful when they get used to it. Cross River gorillas live in the English-speaking part of Cameroon on the border with Nigeria, in small forest areas that are the focus of a conservation project but have no tourist component yet. The Limbe Wildlife Centre takes care of about 15 western lowland gorilla orphans with the long-term goal – if funding allows – of rehabilitation back into the wild.
Male Western Lowland Gorilla, Gabon (Shutterstock) Since the loss of familiar Lossi gorillas to Ebola in 2002, nearby Odzala National Park is now one of the best ways to spot western lowland gorillas. It currently houses two familiar family groups that can be seen by visitors. They can also be seen from pelts when visiting Bais (open clearings in the forest). The most famous bay is Mbeli Bai in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, where around 100 gorillas have been monitored by the Wildlife Conservation Society for a decade. Gorilla groups wade into the swamp to search for aquatic plants alongside forest elephants, buffaloes and antelopes such as Sitatunga.
The two gorilla parks in the southwest of the country are second most popular in Rwanda and offer different experiences. Mgahinga National Park is part of the trinational Virunga Conservation Area, and its inhabited gorillas frequently cross over to the Democratic Republic of Congo. But climbing to the top of Mount Sabinio, where Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo meet, is an excellent way to see the entire mountain gorilla kingdom — a forest island surrounded by a sea of densely populated farmland.. Silverback Eastern Lowland Gorilla, Democratic Republic of Congo (Shutterstock) Three of the four subspecies are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla tourism with inhabited groups began here in the mid-1970s in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a stronghold of eastern lowland gorillas, and this park still offers one of the best gorilla watching experiences. Bukavu is the closest town (with some nice lakeside hotels), but check the security situation when entering the Democratic Republic of Congo from Rwanda. Some western lowland gorillas survive in the far west of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the beautiful Madiakoko Mountains, Bas-Congo, which cruise back and forth from Cabinda (Angola), but you would be a pioneer here. The country’s Odzala Kokoua National Park is still relatively unknown and covers 13,500 square kilometers (5,200 square miles) of undisturbed equatorial rainforest — a protected area for about 100 species of mammals and one of Africa’s most diverse primate populations.
The park is known for its successful preservation of western lowland gorillas, making Congo the best place to watch these gorillas in the wild. Unlike their mountain cousins in Rwanda and Uganda, lowland gorillas are smaller and less shaggy, with softer fur, narrower faces, and rounder nostrils. But as with their larger relatives who live at altitude, it is always a pleasure to look at them.. More than 100,000 western lowland gorillas live in the lush rainforests of West and Central Africa.
Classified as critically endangered, fewer groups are accustomed to persecution due to their inaccessible homelands. Choosing the best gorilla safari for you depends on your budget and sense of adventure.. Here are my suggestions for the best places to see gorillas in Africa. Tim is a travel writer who has covered over 10 African countries for Lonely Planet’s travel guide to Africa, East Africa and West Africa.
What is the best location for gorilla trekking in Africa? Wild gorillas live in the forests of East and Central Africa — Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda. Although most tourists head to Uganda and Rwanda to pursue gorillas, the countries in West Africa offer even more amazing adventures for primate lovers. If you tolerate the discomfort, unpredictability, and long journeys in some West African countries, you’ll be rewarded with amazing biodiversity. We will now discuss the different countries where gorillas can be found.
Mission Africa Safaris is a leading travel company in East Africa that helps arrange memorable tours in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda is often regarded as the best place to watch gorillas in their natural habitat.. More than often, gorillas are outdoors and closer to hiking trails. However, Uganda offers a more adventurous experience for those who want to face harsh and harsh conditions on their own.
The paths can get a bit steeper and the undergrowth is a bit thicker. Rwanda is the most popular destination for gorilla trekking. This is the most accessible of all the destinations that host the mountain gorillas. The country jealously protects its mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda.
This creates a high demand for gorilla permits and therefore it is important to book your safari well in advance so that you can avoid the confusion of checking for gorilla permits at the last minute.. In September, the annual baby gorilla naming ceremony — Kwita Izina — draws thousands of visitors to Musanze, the main gorilla safari destination in Volcanoes National Park. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the only country in the world with western lowlands, eastern lowlands, mountain gorilla species and a sufficiently good gorilla tourism infrastructure. The gorilla families you will visit are also used to human presence as researchers take time to get these monkeys used. A process that helps gorillas understand that the visiting people are friends, not enemies.
Bwindi alone has 19 human-inhabited gorilla families spread over four starting points, where adventures to watch wild gorillas start every morning throughout the year. At least 10% of tourism revenues go to community projects around the park, which reinforces the positive impact of gorilla trekking in Rwanda and making protection of these great apes useful for rural communities in a very practical way. Mgahinga National Park, which shares the Virunga slopes with the Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo gorilla parks, offers a human-inhabited gorilla family that some tourists prefer. The good news is that the country’s trekking permits are among the cheapest. So in Uganda, you can see gorillas in Africa if you’re on a tight budget.
Logistics, accommodation and transportation for gorilla watching in Rwanda and Uganda are well cultivated to achieve the most rewarding jungle experience and sustainable goals for gorilla protection. Of these, the three most popular destinations for gorilla tours are Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the only countries where the endangered mountain gorillas live. Since losing the familiar Lossi gorillas to Ebola in 2002, the nearby Odzala National Park today offers one of the best ways to see western lowland gorillas. Gorillas in the Mist from 1988 is a famous film adaptation of Fossey’s work with the mountain gorillas.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the few destinations where you can see both the eastern lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas. For those looking to relax and unwind with breathtaking views, visit the luxurious Mikeno Lodge, the tranquil simplicity of Tchegera Island and the newly built Kibumba tented camp, the starting point for gorilla trekking adventures in Virunga. Experience shows that a significant number of tourists prefer gorilla trekking during the dry months compared to the wet months..
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