The Best places to see Mountain gorillas are; Uganda & Rwanda. While it is true that gorillas also exist in DR. congo, we don’t recommend travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo now (See: Why Congo is Considered unsafe to Visit) Where to see Gorillas in Africa
Uganda Where to see Gorillas in Africa
Where to see Gorillas in Uganda: Travellers to Uganda have two Gorilla trekking destinations to pick from; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Forest National Park. We like to recommend Bwindi which is home to over 500 mountain gorillas, half of the worlds remaining gorilla population which slightly exceeds 1,000 Individuals.
Bwindi Forest National Park Boasts of having the highest number of Habituated gorilla families which currently stands at 19 habituated family groups. For serious adventurers, there is a unique gorilla experience called Gorilla Habituation for a more exclusive experience. This intimate, four-hour hike in the Rushaga Sector (the southern part of Bwindi) offers an incredibly unique and rare encounter; meeting gorillas that are not yet fully habituated means you get to help introduce them to human interactions.
Best time to go: Gorilla trekking is available any time of the year, but most people prefer going during the two dry seasons: January to February or June to September. It may be advantageous and perhaps most exciting to opt for the rainy season when the gorillas are just as present and there’s less competition to secure one of the limited gorilla permits issued per day.
What you Need to Know: Permits are $700 regardless of when you decide to go. Unlike Rwanda, gorilla trekking areas are assigned at the time you buy your permit. This is important information because it could add up to 2 hours of driving to begin your trek, depending on your assignment and where you’re staying. The permit for Gorilla Habituation is $1,500 with a max of four people allowed per group.
Warning: Trekking across these regions is not for the faint-hearted thanks to elevation gains of up to 7,500 feet in humid and muddy conditions. It’s a long drive from Entebbe (9-10 hours) to Bwindi, so we like to combine Uganda trekking into a five-day, or longer, safari to explore other areas of the country. If you don’t have a few extra days, there are also daily flights to from Entebbe to the forest. (See: 3 days Flying Gorilla Safari from Entebbe)
Rwanda
Where to see Gorillas in Rwanda: Unlike Uganda that offers two gorilla trekking destinations Mgahinga & Bwindi Forest, gorilla trekking in Rwanda can only be done at one location Volcanoes National Park. This rainforest is home to 10 habituated gorilla groups of varied sizes, ranging from 11 to 33 family members. This park traces back into the times of Diane Fossey – an American primatologist and conservationist, who studied the Gorillas in this part of Rwanda. Where to see Gorillas in Africa
Best time to go: Gorilla trekking is a year-round activity, but like any rainforest, it’s easier to trek in the dry seasons, which are mid-December to early February and June to September. Park rangers track the groups’ movements year-round, so if you don’t mind muddy boots, the opportunities are still there when the rains come down—just bring your best waterproof gear. In the wet season, the air is crystal clear, so you’ll find great views of the volcanoes and gorillas tend to hang out on the lower slopes of the mountain.
What you Need to Know: In abid to support Gorilla Conservation efforts, the Rwanda Development Board only issues 80 gorilla permits daily for $1500 per person—with a max of eight people allowed per group. Each trekking group is “assigned” a gorilla family by a ranger the day-of their trek, according to group size and fitness levels. The pricey permit grants you an hour-long experience with a gorilla group once a park ranger locates them. This price may be steep, but you’ll be in one of the cleanest, most progressive model nations on the continent. Also, 10% of what you pay goes to surrounding communities.
The Plus about trekking in Rwanda: Rwanda combines easily with a Kenya or Tanzania safari as a two- or three-day add-on. There are daily flights from Nairobi and parts of the Serengeti, and it is only a 2.5-hour drive to get to the rainforest. For those really pressed for time, you can also hire a private helicopter from Kigali.
