When talking about Gorilla safaris and gorilla trekking, there’s no better place that explains this African safari than the deep forested slopes of south western Uganda and forest jungles of bordering Rwanda and DR Congo mountains. Your heart starts racing on the sight of the gentle giants, one of the world’s most endangered primate species. The 3 countries host only a small population (about 60%) of some 800 mountain gorillas that are surviving across the world.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

Uganda safaris are not complete without a visit to the famous south western hills and mountains also called the ‘Switzerland of Africa’, the home of the giant apes. Tracking and trekking for gorillas is done in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and Mgahinga National Park. The world’s largest primates live in the densely forested slopes of Mgahinga volcano in families of 5-8 members, with 5 families found in Uganda alone! The forests are almost impassable and will require your guide to often cut through overhanging vines and plants to make trails for the guests. One finding the family of silverback or black gorillas, anxiety and excitement catch you. Stare in the eyes of the giant yet gentle and vulnerable apes and take their pictures, the interaction is limited to only 1 hour. Some of them are habituated and will show you some interesting habits! Besides the gorillas, you will find the rare golden monkeys, several amphibians, birds, chameleons and more interesting sights.
Arrange a gorilla trekking safari through one of the travel and tour operators and have yourself a memorable experience tracking the primates. The Uganda gorilla safaris itinerary normally includes visits to other primate habitats, for example Kibaale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and a series of forests like Maramagambo and Budongo. Here you’ll find several chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabeys and other apes. A gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permit is a must have for any tourist looking forward to gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, purchased from UWA offices around the park or in Kampala.

Rwanda gorilla safaris and trekking

The gorilla tracking experience in Rwanda is exceptional with approximately 400 gorillas in both Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans) on the Uganda border and Nyungwe Park in south western Rwanda. Renowned as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda has over 6 gorilla families in Volcanoes Park alone with spectacular views of the volcanic peaks of Gahinga, Muhabura, Karisimbi, Mikeno, Sabyinyo, and Visoke from the tourist town of Musanze.
Despite its recent political turmoil and gorilla poaching, Rwanda gorilla safaris are remarkably increasing and only done if you have a gorilla trekking permit form ORTPN (Rwanda tourism offices). The tracking experience normally flags off mid- morning hours, extending into the later part of the afternoon. It sometimes takes a strenuous 2- 4 hours of intense tracking before you can come across a silver back family feeding before it embarks on the next trail. It is advisable to take packed lunch and a camera to film this amazing, once in a lifetime experience. There is still plenty of time to also go tracking on golden monkeys, a rare primate species endemic to the Albertine Rift.

While in volcanoes park, Rwanda, visit the grave of the famous naturalist and researcher, Diane Fossey who dedicated her life to saving and putting across the plight of the mountain gorillas to the international acknowledgment. She was later murdered in 1987 by unknown poachers/ people and was buried at the heart of her works and efforts, near Karisoke research centre. More international researchers and scientists have since participated in more research; conservation efforts and awareness has increased across the world.
From the Congo (DRC), there are some considerably big gorilla families in Djomba as well as Bukima but the country in set in deep political instability besides the intense poaching habits of the Batwa people that live in and near these rain forests.
Gorilla trekking is often done in groups of 8 persons under careful guidance and lead of trained and armed ranger guides. The rainy seasons often make gorilla safaris and trekking more strenuous and longer with muddy, impassable trails. Make sure you have the right gear, clothing and attitude (physical fitness) because these trails often lead you up the high mountains to heights of close to 4000m above sea level.

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