Best Gorilla safaris; Gorilla safaris are quite unforgettable wildlife experience, where you’re able to encounter whether mountain gorillas, western lowland gorillas or even the unique Grauer’s gorillas. The sheer majesty of the giant silverbacks, the playfulness of the toddlers and the tenderness of their lovely mothers which is just mesmerizing. Many travelers keep asking themselves – where are the best places to go or see gorillas in the world?
Although, number of travelers prefer tracking mountain gorillas and there’s much debate as to which country offers the best gorilla safaris /mountain gorilla safaris. Of which are found in only three countries; Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo ‘’DRC’’. Interestingly, their number are increasing day by day -currently the report shows there are more than 1080 individuals compared to 250 when conservation efforts first started some 50 years ago.
There are more than 100,000 western lowland gorillas and is the largest number among other gorilla types. They live in the lush rainforest of west and central Africa, critically endangered, fewer groups are habituated for tracking because of their unreachable homelands. Making a choice of your best gorilla safaris depends on your budget and your sense of adventure. Here are the best places to see gorillas in Africa;
Uganda Gorilla Tours / Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safaris
Uganda offers the best mountain gorilla safaris and the most affordable one compared to Rwanda. The best gorilla mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda are done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park a home to world’s highest number over 23 habituated mountain gorilla groups and around 650 mountain gorillas that still exist in the wild. More so, Bwindi is home to over 23 habituated gorilla families-group. Mgahinga National Park is another Uganda gorilla safari destination, found within the Virunga Massif neighboring DRC and Rwanda, and has only two habituated group which sometimes wanders over the borders.
Well, not all gorilla families easy to hike, some need body fitness to access them. In Bwindi National Park is home to four gorilla sectors that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo gorilla sector, where gorilla trekking takes place.
Still, Bwindi is a gorgeous gorilla safari place to go, that also offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience where you spend up to four hours with a semi- habituated group. Its intimate glimpse into how gorillas gradually get used to human and the process is carried out for over 2 to 3years. Gorilla habituated experience goes at USD1500 per person, same price as one hour with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas at USD 1,500 per person.
Rwanda Gorilla Safaris /Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tours
The Virunga Mountains expends to the borders of Uganda, DRC and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park home to over 550 individuals of mountain gorillas. Rwanda is best renowned as the Land of a Thousand Hills and one of the best places to see the great mountain gorillas. Fact, Volcanoes National Park is home to over 11 ten groups available for tracking, including the Susa group which lives high up on Mount Karisimbi and was under a tight care by prominent Dian Fossey – primatologist. While other groups roam lower down the slopes and are easier to track. Although being wild, they’re constantly moving. Recently, there were a great ceremony of baby gorillas ‘’Kwita Izina’’ – which attracts thousands of visitors to Musanze. Musanze is known as the main town for gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park.
According to all countries where mountain gorilla’s safari takes; Rwanda has the most expensive gorilla permit sold at USD1,500. With super-luxury accommodations in Musanze. Well , it might be an expensive country but offers great experiences .Rwanda also have good roads and several tours operators runs trips daily.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo is the only country that has both lowland and endangered mountain gorillas. Compared with Uganda and Rwanda the most adventurous and cheapest of the Virunga Mountain’s three homelands. Congo gorilla permit costs USD400 per person. Fact, Virunga National Park has got four ‘’4’’ habituated gorilla families.
The eastern lowland gorillas ‘’Grauer’s are only found in Democratic Republic of Congo not elsewhere. They’s believed to have high number of about 5,000 and are the biggest of the species. The best place to encounter them is Kahuzi -Beiga National Park a home to around 400 individuals ‘’Grauer’s gorillas’’. The park is along lakeside town of Bukavu and offers perfect accommodation in colonial mansions. We advise you, before visiting Congo for Gorilla Safaris, always keep an eye on the security situation. Fact is that, it’s good to visit gorillas in Congo on an organized trip.
Congo Brazzaville
Well, you shouldn’t be confused with Congo Brazzaville with its more volatile neighbor ‘’DRC’’ – a peaceful Republic of Congo also called Congo Brazzaville. Congo Brazzaville one of the best places to see western lowland gorillas. Odzala-Kokoua National Park found in Congo’s north west hosting two habituated gorilla groups in the wild, tropical rainforest. But because of its remoteness, it’s quite a fantastic destination and offers an exclusive experience, with groups of only four visitors. It offers excellent luxury accommodation combined with some tough tracking. Neptune is a charismatic silverback and seeing his group is especially rewarding.
Western lowland gorillas live in Nouabale-Ndoki National Park around Mbeli Bai at a camp that’s often visited by a resident silverback. It’s best visited by intrepid/id travelers.
Central African Republic
This Central African Republic ‘’CAR’’ is the only other country aside from Congo that hosts habituated western lowland gorillas but not for the fainthearted. Well, Central African Republic’s Dzanga -Sangha Special Reserve located within the Sangha Trinational Reserve a UNSECO World Heritage Site and its tropical rainforest ecosystem which spans protected areas in Congo and Cameroon.
The reserve is home to the world’s largest population of western lowland gorillas and forest elephants. Dzanga Bai is ultimate area to see them and Sangha lodge is the place to stay. If you choose to visit this country, guess what, you will be highly rewarded and you will be helping the local Ba’ka people supported by the lodge.
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