Which Country is Best for Gorilla Trekking
Few sights stir the heart and soul like a baby gorilla jumping on tree branches or a huge silverback majestically patrolling his territory- dark fur amidst the dense vegetation, sounds of breaking bamboo shoots, and rustling leaves. For many travelers, getting up close and personal with gorillas in their natural habitat isn’t just a bucket-list moment- it is a dream steeped in ancient storytelling and primal connection.
But where do you see gorillas in Africa?
It is undeniable that gorillas are one of the most sought-after wildlife species during African safaris, and there are two species of these majestic creatures. The Eastern gorillas, which include the Eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas, and the Western gorillas, which include the Western lowland gorillas and Cross River gorillas.
The Western gorillas, especially the abundant Western lowland gorillas, are surprisingly considerably less popular among travelers compared to the mountain gorillas. Western lowland gorillas are faced with remote and difficult-to-reach natural habitats, as well as civil conflicts in most countries where they are found. The mountain gorillas, on the other hand, were made popular by the historical focus of conservation efforts, as well as documentaries.
When you mention mountain gorillas, famous conservationists’ names like Dian Fossey will pop up, and for this blog, we shall focus on which country is the best to see Mountain gorillas and why.
With a World population of about 1100 individuals, mountain gorillas are found in only three countries in East-Central Africa. These are the Democratic Republic of Congo (where they are sheltered in Virunga National Park), Rwanda (found in Volcanoes National Park), and Uganda (in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks). Most visitors who travel to Africa to see these majestic Giant Apes in the wild head to Rwanda and Uganda, because both of these countries are pretty safe for travelers, and boast well-organized gorilla trekking adventures.
Which country is the best to see gorillas and why?
Without being biased , Uganda is the best destination to see gorillas.. The following are the reasons why Uganda is a best place for gorilla trekking
Incredible mountain gorilla population
If you wish to find mountain gorillas in the wild, then what better place to look for them than Uganda, which is the country with the highest population of these Giant Apes in the World.
If you are asking: “Which is the best country to see gorillas in Africa?”, the Pearl of Africa is a top contender.
This country interestingly supports the largest mountain gorilla population on the Planet, with its many habituated gorilla families distributed in two different locations. According to some estimates, the number is around 600 individuals, which is at least half of the Global population, hence making it the best location for unforgettable gorilla safaris. Having a high mountain gorilla population means having more habituated gorilla families.
There are currently over 25 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, meaning at least 200 gorilla permits are issued each day by Uganda Wildlife Authority. A well-planned gorilla safari in Uganda will not only ensure you have a good chance of spotting the powerful primates but also provide you with a nice overall experience that will tickle your adventure bone.
However, gorilla trekking is generally a highly demanded activity, and sometimes getting permits can be a challenge on certain dates. For this reason, it is advisable to book your gorilla tour in advance to avoid last-minute disappointment.
Two amazing gorilla trekking locations
Uganda has two safari destinations with these incredible Giant Apes’ populations, and visitors can go trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi has almost half the World’s population of these creatures, with an estimate of 550 individuals, while the rest are found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Day-to-day gorilla trekking adventures often reveal the daily routines of these Giant Apes that involve feeding, playing, resting, grooming each other, nursing their infants, and sometimes mating. However, before you get to them, you have to first gorilla through an elaborate gorilla trekking adventure, lasting between one and six hours, and it is a test of patience and hard work.
For a chance to see these Gentle Giants rule the jungle, consider booking a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, where you will have a chance to visit both places and compare their terrains or experiences.
Affordable gorilla permit prices
If the two mountain gorilla trekking locations are compared in terms of gorilla permit prices, you will learn that Uganda has the most affordable permit prices. A gorilla permit goes for $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 per person for foreign residents, and Shs. 300,000 for East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, among others) Citizens.
A chance to combine gorilla trekking with other interesting activities
It can’t go without saying that Uganda provides other interesting safari activities which visitors can combine with gorilla trekking adventures. These include activities in/around the gorilla trekking locations and those in other National Parks.
If you trek the mountain gorillas from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to also track the endangered golden monkeys, climb one of the Virunga Volcanoes (between Mount Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura), enjoy bird watching adventures, visit the Batwa pygmies, undertake guided forest walks, and explore the nearby Lake Mutanda, where several activities exist.
For Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, add-on options include Batwa cultural visits, mountain biking, birding tours, and guided forest walks.
Aside from the activities you can do within and around the National Parks, gorilla trekking tours can be combined with other activities. These include game drives in Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, and Murchison Falls National Park, chimpanzee tracking tours in Kibale Forest, Budongo Forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Kalinzu Forest. Additionally, you can add boat rides in Lakes Bunyonyi and Mutanda, as well as the Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park, as part of your extended Uganda primate and wildlife safari.
Visitors also have an opportunity to climb the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains during one of our mountaineering safaris, visit Jinja (East Africa’s Adventure Capital) for whitewater rafting, Bungee jumping, horseback riding, cycling tours, and Quad bike rides, among others.
