Sharing 98% of human DNA, gorillas are our closest cousins. While spending hours traversing thick forests on foot may not be everyone’s cup of tea, coming face-to-face with a family of wild mountain gorillas is one of the most profound experiences in travel (and one only very few are lucky enough to experience). Although they remain critically endangered, their numbers have been slowly increasing over the years, thanks to effective conservation strategies. Eager to spot these precious primates in the wild? Read on for our roundup of the best places to see gorillas and embark on your bucket-list experience…
1. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
2. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
3. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda
Volcanoes National Park
Rwanda
First up is Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where over 380 endangered mountain gorillas live. Thanks to the number of primates here and the park’s ease of accessibility – it’s around a two-hour drive from Kigali airport – it’s one of the best places to see gorillas in the world. Part of the Virunga Mountains, the park boasts a spectacular landscape of lush green rainforest and mist-shrouded volcanoes. As well as being the oldest national park in Africa, it’s also the highest place to see gorillas in the wild. The Rwandan Development Board only grants 80 gorilla permits per day, which (understandably) are in high demand. This is all in the name of conservation, as it means that each of the ten habituated gorilla families is only visited by eight trekkers each day. In terms of the best time to visit, it’s easier to trek during the dry seasons, but you can go any time of year. Where can we sign up?
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Uganda
Next on our list of the best places to see gorillas is the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. Due to its rich biodiversity, Bwindi is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. With the highest diversity of tree and fern species in East Africa, Bwindi also hosts a range of rare and endangered species (mountain gorillas included). Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is not for the fainthearted. Faced with high humidity and elevation gains of up to 7,500ft, you’ll traverse difficult terrain as you venture deep into the jungle. Mountain gorillas are frequently on the move in search of food and play an important ecological role in seed dispersal – helping plant species to thrive. This only adds to the adventure and excitement of observing gorillas in their natural habitat. As well as gorillas, other primates here include chimpanzees and golden monkeys. Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is easily combined with other activities in Uganda, like more traditional game viewing in Queen Elizabeth and Kibale National Parks.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Uganda
The second Ugandan destination on our list, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, might be the smallest in the country, but it still packs a punch. Making up only eight per cent of the tri-national Virunga Conservation Area (spread across Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo), Mgahinga is home to just one habituated gorilla family, the Nyakagezi. Yet the compact size of the park – approximately 13 square miles – means gorilla interactions are highly reliable. With three out of the eight Virunga volcanoes dominating the landscape, Mgahinga’s dramatic altitude variations help give the park its diverse habitats and allow so many species to thrive here. As well as being one of the best places to see gorillas, you can also enjoy panoramic views from the top of Mount Sabyinyo, extending across the entire mountain gorilla kingdom, where the three countries meet.
Written by Hannah Whitehall
