Gorilla Trekking Destinations in East Africa.

Gorilla trekking is a worthwhile adventure in East Africa and so amazing because one gets to encounter both endangered mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas in their natural habitats.

Gorilla trekking demands fitness and flexibility since hikes are done through thick forests but the reward is getting to spend one hour with them in the jungle as you observe their different activities like breastfeeding, hunting, building nests, feeding and playing.

This activity is a unique experience that allows tourists witness and encounter with these magnificent apes in their natural environment.

Gorilla trekking national parks in Africa.

Uganda Gorilla Trekking Parks.

• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mgahinga gorilla national park is located in the south western part of Uganda part of the great Virunga massif region stretching to Rwanda and Congo. The destination is well known for harboring mountain gorillas, stunning landscapes and having various dense montane forests.

The main attraction in Mgahinga gorilla national park is the magnificent apes and the main attraction is gorilla trekking where it involves tourists hiking through the park to encounter with gorillas. The park has only one habituated family known as Nyakagezi which is open for trekking.

Apart from gorilla trekking, you can as well enjoy hiking volcano summits like Sabyinyo, Gahinga and Muhabura. This helps you breathtaking views and gives you a chance to explore the park.

• Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Bwindi impenetrable national park is found in southwestern part of Uganda renowned for hosting the biggest number of endangered mountain gorillas almost half of the world’s left gorillas. The park is a premier destination for gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences.

The park got its name from the dense, thick vegetation characterized by rain forests within the Albertine region.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi involves going through the thicket and dense trees in order to see these magnificent apes. It is also home to other animal species like chimpanzees, monkeys and several types of baboons with a variety of bird species.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is so amazing and adventurous because the park has our sectors namely,

Buhoma Sector. This was the first sector to be established in the park and is known for hosting one of the biggest number of tourists located in northern part of the park. The sector consists of five gorilla families namely Katwe, Mubare, Muyambi, Rushegura and Habinyanja. You should note that each of these families give different trekking experiences.

Ruhija sector. It is located in the eastern part of the park known for offering a more remote tranquil gorilla trekking experience. The sector consists of four gorilla families namely Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro. You are able to see gorilla groups in a less crowded environment.

Rushaga sector. Rushaga is located in the southern part of Bwindi national park known for having the biggest number of gorilla families namely Mucunguzi, Bikingi, Rwigi, Bweza, Kutu, Nshongi and Busingye. This is a good idea especially for visitors who want a higher chance of securing gorilla permits since they are more available compared to other sectors within the park.

Nkuringo sector. This is in the southern part of the park known for having a challenging terrain hence difficulty and adventurous gorilla trekking experiences. The trails in Nkuringo are difficult due to steep slopes but the reward is a unique adventure especially to tourists seeking for a more rugged experience. The sector consists of four gorilla families namely Nkuringo, Christmas, Posho and Bushaho.

Within Bwindi, you can get to enjoy other activities like bird watching, gorilla habituation, nature walks, butterfly watching, scenic drives, hiking and cultural encounters.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

• Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes national park is located in the northern part of Rwanda part of the great massif stretching to Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Volcanoes national park is famous for harboring endangered mountain gorillas which main activity is gorilla trekking.

Gorilla trekking in volcanoes is so much fun because you can get to trek from any gorilla family of your choice. Some of the gorilla families are,

Susa gorilla group which is the largest in the whole of volcanoes national park. This group was once renowned and studied by Dian Fossey and is known for its size and presence of silverbacks and infants.

Sabyinyo gorilla group which got its name from Mt. Sabyinyo one of the volcanoes within the national park. Trekking this group is relatively easy and it offers excellent viewing opportunities of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Amahoro gorilla group. In the local language it means peace. And indeed this gorilla group is known for being cool, peaceful and tranquil demeanor mostly seen around the slopes of Mt. Bisoke.

Agashya which is one of the larger groups in the park usually encountered on the slopes of Mount. Sabyinyo.

Kwitonda group is known for having migrated from Virunga national park in Congo named after its dominant silverback called Kwitonda. It is sometimes challenging to trek this group because of its range.

Umubano which was originally part of the Amahoro group. The word Umubano means living together in harmony and this group is known for staying intact in harmony without fights.

The Hirwa gorilla group known for its history of being formed by individuals from different families coming together. The word Hirwa means lucky signifying the fortunate fusion of gorillas.

Apart from gorilla trekking, volcanoes national park also provides golden monkey trekking, volcano hikes, bird watching, cultural experiences, nature walks, Dian Fossey research and scenic drives.

Gorilla tours in Democratic Republic of Congo.

• Virunga national park.

Virunga national park is located in the eastern park of Democratic Republic of Congo, it is one of the most biological divers protected areas known for beautiful landscapes, rich wildlife species and the active volcanoes.

Just like other parks within the great Virunga massif, the park is known for harboring endangered mountain gorillas. Tourists in the park are allowed to embark on the challenging hike through the park looking for mountain gorillas within their natural habitat.

Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park is an awesome adventure because you can choose which family you would like to trek. Some of the gorilla groups include,

Humba gorilla group which is known for having a good population of silverback gorillas.

Kabirizi is usually found in the Bukima areas offering outstanding gorilla trekking experiences.

Mapuwa gorilla group is encountered within the Jomba areas and its known for being a peaceful and calm gorilla group making it the tourist’s favourite.

Lulengo group is newly habituated located in the southern sector of the park known for a perfect and stunning surrounding.

Munyanga is also found in the southern part famous for scenic beauty and lush habitat.

Kakira gorilla group is located in Bukima areas offering beautiful views and outstanding gorilla trekking experiences.

Bageni group is located in the southern areas offering perfect gorilla trekking experiences.

Nyakamwe gorilla group is also another group that coffers awesome gorilla trekking experiences in their natural habitat.

Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park are less expensive compared to other destinations. The activity is led by an experienced guide who leads tourists through the dense forests in order to locate gorillas. The activity can be for 3 hours depending on where gorillas will be found and its sometimes difficult due to poor weather conditions, rugged terrain and steep slopes.

Once you get to encounter these gorillas, you are given one hour in their natural habitat as you look at how the breast feed, hunt and take care of their infants. Virunga national park offers unique opportunities to witness these creatures within their natural habitat.

Other activities that one is able to enjoy include, volcano hiking, mountain and nature hikes, game drives which usher you into the wild seeing animals like elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and hippos, bird watching experiences, boat safaris, chimp tracking, cultural encounters and senkwekwe gorilla orphanage visits.

• Kahuzi- Beiga National Park.

Kahuzi-Beiga national park is located in the eastern part of Congo famous for hosting a unique gorilla specie known as the eastern lowland gorillas. You should note that endangered mountain gorillas are different from eastern lowland gorillas.

Eastern lowland gorillas are also known as Grauer’s gorillas and they are the largest sub specie of gorillas. Kahuzi Beiga national park is the perfect destination to encounter these gorillas in their natural habitat.

Tourists can engage in gorilla trekking through the dense forests and thickets in search of these unique gorilla sub specie in their natural habitat. Under the guidance of an experienced guide, you are able to spot their habitat and learn more about how they differ from mountain gorillas.

Just like any other park, you are able to trek from any of the gorilla group of your choice within the park. Some of the gorilla groups include,

Chimanuka gorilla group which is the most famous and known for hosting a good number of tourists for gorilla trekking. The group is under the leadership of a silverback and known for having various female gorillas.

Mugaruka gorilla group is known for its accessibility and relatively easy trekking conditions.

Bahiya gorilla group is famous for having a unique and rare composition of silverbacks and infant gorillas.

Mankoto gorilla group is the less visited gorilla group within the park but offering outstanding gorilla trekking experiences.

Kahuzi group is an awesome group which gives rare opportunities to learn about social dynamics and behavior of gorillas.

Other activities to engage within the park is nature walks, chimp tracking, scenic drives, bird watching photography, and cultural experiences.