There are countless reasons that Africa is a favorite destination to most travelers, Gorilla trekking excursions is definitely one of those.
Gorillas are rarely seen and one of the World’s top attractions. By description, these apes are large in size, tailless and fur that help them survive the colder conditions. They are herbivores in nature and feed mostly on tree leaves, bamboo shoot and stem, fruits, coconuts and insects.
Thousands of travelers pack for Africa per year to delve into its incredible charm including the face to face encounter with one of the Gorilla subspecies. Few travelers have got the magical to see the Gorillas and it is everyone’s dream.
If it’s in your plans or you wish to join those who have already trekked, do not hesitate to be part of a remarkable Gorilla trekking safari one of Africa’s gorilla hosting destinations.
Gorillas inhabit only the lush habitats in the Eastern and Central part of Africa; it is not hard to understand why these two regions welcome a number of Gorilla or wildlife lovers from different of the World.
The main African destinations that offer these unrivalled Gorilla trekking experiences are Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
What is Gorilla Trekking?
Are you less informed about Gorilla trek? This experience majorly awards tourists grand opportunities to meet with Gorillas in the rain forests. It is often offered in a group; each Gorilla family is visited by only eight people per day.
Time taken and distance moved in the Jungles depends on where the assigned Gorilla family spent their last.
After discovering the Gorillas, you will only spend one hour in their presence. Later descend back to the park offices or starting point such that more room is created for these apes to continue with their day time activities.
Why you should go for Gorilla Trekking?
Although strenuous, Gorilla Safaris are rewarding and worth the money paid once you make it to the exact location of the Gorilla family you are tracing for.
This expedition also exposes you to numerous Wildlife species in the Jungles such as primates, different bird species, reptiles to name but a few.
Adding to the protective wearing gears, all Gorilla trekkers are advised to come along with packed food and drinking water from your lodge of stay.
This is more important since most of the times lunch hours reach when you are still in the Jungles. More than that, below are the top five parks you can visit for a once in lifetime Gorilla trekking tour.
Where to Track Gorillas
Rated to host the biggest percentage of Uganda’s Gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the mostly visited parks in the country. Gorilla trekking is the main highlight for most customized tours to this Park in the western part of Uganda.
It is a UNESCO World heritage site and most of its area is occupied by the impenetrable Bwindi forest.
This park is currently recorded with eighteen habituated Gorilla families that are open to trekking. The trekking is offered in four sectors namely; Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Buhoma sector.
Besides Bwindi, while in Uganda for Gorillas, you can do the trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
This Park is also situated in the western part of Uganda along the country’s border with Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
It is part of the great Virunga Massif. Mgahinga consists of two habituated Gorilla families including Hirwa, a family that migrated from the nearby Rwanda. Other than Gorillas, Mgahinga is home to the species of the old World monkey family “Golden monkeys”.
Next on the list is Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, this protected area is nestled in the Eastern part of the country. It renowned worldwide for its incredible trekking encounters with the Gorillas.
Gorilla Trekking in DR Congo
Lastly Democratic Republic of Congo differs its self with two Gorilla subspecies including the unusual Eastern lowland Gorillas in Kahuzi Beiga National Park.
If you are after Mountain Gorillas in Congo, there are only found in Virunga National Park, the oldest park in Africa. Both parks are found in the Eastern part of DR Congo.
In conclusion, whether you are a first timer or second time traveler to Africa for Gorillas, there are no other destinations you can go if it’s not those listed above.
The experience requires a permit which is often issued at affordable prices. Money collected from the permit sales support in conserving lives of the remaining Gorillas. In Uganda, it costs $700 USD per person, Rwanda $1500 and that of DR Congo costs $400 USD per person.
