What part of Africa Do Mountain Gorilla Live in?
What part of Africa Do Mountain Gorilla Live in? To many who wish to be part of this ultimate wildlife experience of Gorilla encounter in Africa. Tend to ask themselves this question; What part of Africa do mountain gorillas live in? Here are the places where mountain gorillas live and to be encountered on African continent.
Since most of travelers prefer to track mountain gorillas and much debate as to which country offers the best mountain gorilla safari destination. These endangered mountain gorillas can only be found in three countries; Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo ‘’DRC’’. Surprisingly, their number are increasing, on the latest census confirmed is now 1,064 individuals compared to 250 when conservation efforts had begun for over 50 years ago. Therefore, each gorilla destination has fewer gorilla groups that are fully habituated for trekking /tracking because of their inaccessible homelands
Uganda –Mountain Gorilla Safari
Uganda is among the best place where you can find Mountain gorillas, above all, the most privileged to see this gentle giants being a home of half remaining gorillas in the world over 600 individuals of the total 1064 gorillas. In Uganda Mountain gorillas live in two distinguished places that is; Bwindi Impenetrable national park a popular safari destination to see this great mountain gorilla with over 21 habituated gorilla groups. Mgahinga Gorilla National park also a great location to encounter mountain gorillas, it lies within the Virunga Massif neighboring Congo and Rwanda. The park has only two habituated gorilla families which sometime roam over the borders. In Uganda mountain gorilla trekking is done through hiking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, accompanied by excellent park rangers and trackers and local communities that benefits from Gorilla permit fees. Although the hiking can be tough but to some groups are easier to access than others. So you are advised to be physically fit to enjoy the hike. The permits cost just USD700 per person per trek. Some of trackers who wish to engage in a full day activity apart from one-day gorilla trekking, Bwindi also offer the Gorilla Habituation Experience where you spend four hours’ life time experience with a semi-habituated group. They are less predictable and quite amazing. It’s a fascinating glimpse into how gorillas gradually get used to eye contact with humans. At USD1500 the same cost price as one-hour trek with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park take place in four gorilla sectors such as Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sector. Booking of gorilla permits is recommended at Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kampala capital or with trustworthy tour operator. Gorilla permits can be booked up to two years in advance.
Generally, the gorillas are considered to be highly intelligent and have been observed while using tools like other great primates and community using a variety of vocal sounds.
Rwanda-Mountain Gorilla Safari Destination
In Rwanda mountain gorillas live in Volcanoes national park, the Virunga Mountain that border Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. The park is a famous safari destination for endangered mountain gorillas and other wildlife species. Rwanda a land of thousand hills and one of the best places in African to see mountain gorillas. Volcanoes national park is a home of 15 gorilla groups available for tracking and one of the best visited gorilla group is Susa which live up on Mount Karisimbi. The gorilla group were studied by famous primatologist Dian Fossey. Other gorilla group roam on lower down the slopes but easily tracked. Gorilla trekking experience is grouped in 8 groups of people and trek can last from 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of the group you are assigned in to participate.
The downside is that Rwanda’s Gorilla permits are expensive compared to other African destination, Rwanda permits cost USD1,500 per person per individuals. Rwanda offers a great experience of gorilla tracking /trekking but at high cost. And a trip done around Rwanda is awesome because it has good road that attracts tourists on their visit.
Democratic Republic of Congo-Mountain Gorilla Safari Destination
This is the only country where you can find both lowland and mountain gorillas, compared with Uganda and Rwanda. Though the least visited gorilla safari destination, with cheapest of the Virunga Mountain at cost USD400 per trek per person. In Democratic Republic of Congo mountain gorillas live in Virunga National Park and the best place to see eastern lowland gorillas is in Kahuzi-Beiga National Park.
