Gorillas are a special primate species to see in their untamed wilderness, and Africa has 4 subspecies to explore, including the Eastern gorillas and Western gorillas, which are subdivided into Eastern lowland gorilla species, mountain gorillas, Western lowland, and Cross River gorillas. If you are visiting Africa, destinations to consider for a must-visit to enjoy an experience of a lifetime include Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo.
Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo are the three countries in the world where endangered mountain gorillas live. Immersing yourself in the jungles of Africa to encounter these large apes in the wild is an experience many travelers describe as a once-in-a-lifetime encounter. The encounter with these massive apes in the wild leaves you amazed at how close we are to them. Over 98% of gorillas’ DNA is similar to that of humans, and mountain gorillas only live in the wild, not in zoos or any other confinement.
Here are some reasons why you should visit gorillas in Africa:
- Fewer than 1063 mountain gorillas still survive in the wild.
- Trekking to see mountain gorillas in Africa is a lifetime opportunity! Not more than 1063 of these large apes still live in the wild, and they occupy only three countries worldwide: Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. They can be observed in their natural habitat only on gorilla tours in the four African parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
- Endangered species.The survival of mountain gorillas in the wild comes with many challenges. They are endemic to only four parks in Africa, and their lives are threatened by poaching, diseases, habitat loss, and other calamities. Amidst these threats, they have a ridiculously low reproductive rate, with a female gorilla giving birth to a single infant and, on rare occasions, twins that also find it hard to survive. As of 1981, only 254 mountain gorillas lived on earth, and they were listed among critically endangered species until recently, when their population increased to 1063, thanks to collective conservation efforts.
- Support conservation.Mountain gorillas, like eastern lowland gorillas, are endangered species, and there is a need to protect them. One significant way you can contribute to supporting the survival of these valuable apes for future generations is by undertaking a trip to Africa to see gorillas. The largest financial support for gorilla conservation comes from gorilla trekking fees or the gorilla permits visitors purchase. Part of the fees from permits is used to finance conservation activities such as research, paying park staff who spend time ensuring these apes exist, gorilla doctors, and others.
Brief about gorilla trekking:
To see gorillas in Africa, you need to hike through mountainous tropical forests, which means spending several hours conquering tough terrains. Visitor fitness level plays a significant part in determining how long the trek can take to find gorillas.
During an actual trek to see gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, guests are subdivided into small groups of eight and assigned a gorilla family. Given the nature of gorilla trekking as a primate adventure, packing right is key, and essentials to carry include waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirts, double-layered socks, a good camera, a daypack, insect repellents, a hat, and a first aid kit, etc.
Gorilla trekking permits are essential documents for any successful gorilla tour, and each permit is issued at USD 700 in Uganda. Rwanda gorilla permits cost USD 1500 and USD 400 for guests crossing to see gorillas in the D.R. Congo. Booking a gorilla permit isn’t stressful if you deal with the right company. To avoid any challenges, simply get in touch with our team to assist you in planning a remarkable trip to see gorillas in the wild.
