There are several places to go gorilla trekking in Africa.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Mgahinga National Park
- Volcanoes National Park
- Virunga National Park
Below are the five best places to track gorillas in Africa
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is of no doubt one of the five best places to track gorillas in Africa. Bwindi National Park is set in Southwestern Uganda, about 9-10 hours’ drive from Entebbe or Kampala and 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali-the capital city of Rwanda. This park was established in 1991 and it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1994. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers an area of 160sq.kms, largely consisting of a lush tropical rain-forest.
Compared to the rest of gorilla destinations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a home to the largest mountain gorilla population. Following the recent gorilla census, more than 459 mountain gorillas call Bwindi their home which makes it one of the best gorilla destinations in Africa. Also, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was voted by CNN as the best place to visit in the world in 2019. Amazingly, tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is conducted in anyone of the four regions; Ruhija in the East, Buhoma in the North, Nkuringo and Rushaga in the South.
Tracking mountain gorillas in each of regions is a unique experience the fact that each has its own habituated gorilla families for visitors on Uganda gorilla safari to explore. Buhoma region is comprised Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare, Rushegura; Ruhija region consists of Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguriro; Nkuringo region has Christmas, Nkuringo, Bushaho family; Rushaga region features gorilla families such as Bweza, Bikingi, Mucunguzi, Kahungye, Nshongi, Rwingi, Kutu, Busingye and Mishaya.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a second-best place to trek mountain gorillas in Africa. This park is such a remarkable destination to visit especially if you are interested in less crowds. Mgahinga National Park was founded in 1991 and it occupies an area of 33.7sq.kms. Visitors on gorilla safari in Africa in Mgahinga National Park can begin their treks from Ntebeko Visitor Center and Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only habituated gorilla family set for visitors to trek.
Each gorilla permit in Uganda costs $600 and can be obtained through our reservation team or directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority. However, following the current increase in the cost of gorilla permits in Uganda, starting 1st July 2020-2022, each gorilla permit will cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and shs.250,000.
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is another best place to track gorillas in Africa. Volcanoes National Park is one of the oldest parks in Africa, it was established in 1925 and occupies an area of about 160sq.kms. Gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park is conducted in anyone of the 10 habituated gorilla families (Sabyinyo, Karisimbi (Susa B), Susa A, Bwenge, Hirwa (which migrated into Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park), Kwitonda, Umubano, Amahoro, Agashya (Group 13) and Ugenda). Each gorilla permit in Rwanda is obtainable at $1500 and you can reserve it through our reservation team or directly through the reservation team at Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The Parc National des Volcans (PNV) is part of the Virunga Conservation Area and covers more than 125 kmsq. PNV is home of five Virunga volcanoes: Sabyinyo (3.674 m), Gahinga (3.474 m), Bisoke (3711 m), Muhabura (4.127 m), and the Karisimbi, the highest volcano with an altitude of 4.507 m.
All five volcanoes are extinct, the active ones are located in Congo. Two of them erupted recently; the Nyiragongo erupted in January 2002 and Nyamulagira in July 2002. The Virunga ecosystem is composed of 4 major vegetation zones: bamboo (base altitude), Hagenia and Hypericum forest (2600-3300m), Sub-alpine (3300-4000m), and Afro-alpine (4000m+).
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is that one best place to track gorillas in Africa. This park is found in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It was founded in 1925 and occupies an area of 7800sq.kms. It makes up part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area which also covers Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Northwestern Rwanda. This park hosts about 300 mountain gorillas and currently consists of 8 habituated families including Bageni, Nyakamwe, Kabirizi, Munyaga, Lulengo, Humba, Mapuwa and Rugendo. Gorilla permits in DR Congo can be obtained at $450.
Kahuzi Biega National Park
Kahuzi Biega National Park is another exceptional gorilla destination to consider visiting on gorilla safari in Africa. It is a magical park to explore especially for Eastern Lowland gorilla tracking. It is located near Bukavu town in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.. Each gorilla permit for Eastern lowland gorilla trekking can be secured at $450.
