Today Mountain gorilla tourism has drown the attention of quite a number of tourists to east Africa is to come meet face to face with the highly endangered mountain gorilla species located around the Virunga massif region which stretches from Congo, Rwanda and to Uganda and the Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Mountain gorillas are among the most endangered species with only about 900 mountain gorillas remaining on the planet. Viewing these animals in their natural habitats in the Virungas is one of the ultimate African safari experiences a tourist can ever have in east Africa and the jungles of democratic republic of Congo.
Which is the best country to choose for gorilla trekking?
There are major 4 national parks that are visited by tourists expecting to view the mountain gorillas they include Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in southwestern Uganda, volcanoes national park in northern Rwanda and lastly Virunga national park in eastern democratic republic of Congo.
The Gorilla Trekking Experience In Uganda
With half of the mountain gorilla population in the world is within the Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national parks are homes to 13 mountain gorilla groups 12 of which are found in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and 1 in Mgahinga national park the Ugandan stretch of the Virunga massif.
The habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi include the Nkuringo group located in the Nkuringo area, Bitukura group, Kyaguriro group and Oruzogo group in the Ruhija sector and Mishaya group, Kahungye group, Busingye group, Bweza group and the Nshongi located in the Rushaga area.
Mgahinga Gorilla Park only has one gorilla group known as the Nyakagezi group with 10 gorillas including 2 silverbacks.
The Uganda wildlife authority is the government body that manages all the two national parks and the body is the one in charge of gorilla trekking permits (they are sold at $600). Tourists interested in gorilla tracking in Uganda can therefore purchase the trekking permits from the authorities offices in Kampala or obtain them from a trusted tour operator especially those registered under the association of Uganda tour operators.
Accessing The National Parks
From Kampala, one can use road transport taking between 6-8 hours to reach the parks or can alternatively use charter planes from Entebbe international airport to Kisoro and Kayonza airstrips that are both near Bwindi impenetrable national park. The gorilla tracking expedition to the forests is then done on foot through the jungles in search for the allocated gorilla group.
The Gorilla Trekking Encounter in Rwanda
Trekking with mountain gorillas in Rwanda only takes place in volcanoes national park which is the Rwandan stretch of the Virunga Massif, located in the northern part. The park has an area coverage of 125 kilometers squares and can be accessed just after a 2-3 hours drive from Kigali international airport.
Volcanoes national park to home to 10 habituated gorilla groups that are more used to having tourists around their habitats. Volcanoes national park is very easily accessed than any other gorilla park in the region and the gorilla trekking process is less tiresome compared to the one in Bwindi impenetrable forest. That is so because the forests in volcanoes national park are not as thick as those of Bwindi and therefore enable more views and photography chances. Gorilla trekking permits can be purchased at $750 from Rwanda development board offices in Kigali or from a trusted tour operator.
On the actual gorilla trekking day, tourists are expected to be at Kinigi (volcanoes national park headquarters) early in the morning for briefing and gorilla group allocations. The allocation is based on the tourist’s physical capabilities of fitness, age and the ease of getting to a gorilla group.
The Experience In Democratic Republic Of Congo
Trekking with mountain gorillas in Congo happens in the Virunga national park located in the eastern part of the country and is the Congo section of the Virunga massif.
Virunga national park has area coverage of about 7800 kilometers squares and its managed by the Congolese national park authority. Sadly, this national park was affected by some insecurity that resulted into the killing of some mountain gorillas and distracted the gorilla trekking process for sometime. Mountain gorilla permits are sold at only $450.
After the end of political instabilities in the north lake Kivu region, this park is getting stable and gorilla tourism takes place safely.
The park can be reached just 32 kilometers from Goma however the road leading to the park is somehow in bad shape. The best way to get to Virunga national park is through Rwanda or Uganda since there are no major problems with crossing the border is not so disturbing.