Uganda, Rwanda or Congo which country is better for Mountain Gorilla trekking

Uganda, Rwanda or Congo which country is better for Mountain Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is one of the popular Africa safari activities and especially for Mountain Gorilla trekking. In the whole of the world, Mountain Gorillas are only existent in the tropical forests of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo numbering to about 1004 a number that raised from a total of 880 in 2018. Uganda gorilla trekking safaris, gorilla safari Rwanda or a Congo gorilla trekking safari is definitely the only way for one to get so close to these human-like apes (because of their social character and about 98.67% DNA) surviving in habitats with an altitude ranging from 1,190m-5,109m above sea level. Here are all the Mountain Gorilla trekking destinations for you to choose from;

Uganda Gorilla trekking safari destinations

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Lying in western Uganda’s dense tropical forest is the natural habitat of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park home to about 400mountain gorillas. This is the single home to a big number of Mountain Gorillas in Kanungu district at the edge of the Albertine rift. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park rests on an altitude ranging from 1,190-2,607 with a total of 16 Mountain Gorilla families that can be trekked. Though with the altitude seemingly high in a densely forested land, this is lower than all of the other three gorilla habitats. To go mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you must have booked prior a Uganda gorilla trekking permit at USD 600 (less than that of Rwanda) which is for a single individual for a single trek. You are allocated a specific gorilla family to trek and with the big numbers there is more assurance of seeing the Mountain Gorillas.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla trekking Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Still within south western Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is situated in Kisoro district. This is the second gorilla trekking destination in Uganda within the Virunga massif (a chain of 8 volcanoes) home to one habituated gorilla family known as Nyakagezi Gorilla family. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park covers 33.7km2 about 8% of the great Virunga massif and sits on an altitude ranging from 2,227m-4,127m above sea level. The park is formed of three conical extinct volcanoes which are Mt Gahinga, Mt Sabinyo and Mt Muhabura.

 The habituated gorilla group known as Nyakagezi has over 10 members, 4 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants. The gorillas are part of the 604 gorillas in the Virunga massif and to trek you need a prior booked permit at USD 600 per person per trek.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has bamboo trees which makes the visibility and photography of mountain gorillas better, this gives chance for as many photos as possible.

Trekking mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla national park is perfect with the golden monkey trek. Nothing better than meeting gold and silver in one habitat. Its only during a hike in Virunga that you get an all East and Central African experience only on a Uganda gorilla trekking tour as you set foot on Uganda, Rwanda and Congo just within 8 hours when you reach to the top.

Rwanda Gorilla trekking safari destination

Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes
In Rwanda, there is only a single home to mountain gorillas in the country known as Volcanoes National Park within the Virunga Massif. Volcanoes National Park is home to a total of 10 habituated (tamed to behave normally in the presence of people) gorilla families open to Rwanda gorilla trekking safari tourists. A total of eight (8) tourists are allowed to trek a gorilla family per day at a cost of USD 1500 per person per trek (this is double the cost for a Uganda trek).

When you trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, you can also have the chance to trek golden monkeys or visit the Dian Fossey Conservation centre. The Dian Fossey centre is in memory of Dian Fossey an American primatologist who dedicated her life to the conservation of mountain gorillas an effort that has yielded positive results with the recent increase in mountain gorillas.

Congo Gorilla trekking safari destination

Virunga National Park

Gorilla trekking Still within the Virunga massif, in Congo Virunga National Park is the only home to Mountain Gorillas in the whole of West Africa. The park was close in June 2018 but on the 15th of February 2019 the park was re-opened for tourists. Virunga National Park raises on an altitude of 2,230ft-5,109m above sea level with a total of 8 habituated gorilla families each with a specific family leader. A Congo gorilla safari permit costs USD 400 per person per trek which is far less than both the price for a Uganda or Rwanda gorilla permit. When you trek mountain Gorillas in Virunga National Park can also offer you the chance to go for a Mount Nyiragongo hike to one of Africa’s active stratovolcano.

 With all these destinations having the mountain gorillas and other features, taking the choice for your gorilla trek destination is upon you.

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