Gorilla tracking takes enthusiasts deep into the heart of Africa’s lush landscapes, where the mountain gorillas, Earth’s gentle giants, call home. This extraordinary experience is offered in three of the Virunga massive regions, each providing its unique charm and allure. The destinations for this remarkable adventure are Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, DR Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, as well as the independent Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
To embark on this incredible journey, travelers must secure national park gorilla permits well in advance. Rwanda Development Board handles permits for Volcanoes National Park, Congo Tourism Gate for Virunga National Park, and Uganda Wildlife Authority for Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks.
Rwanda offers gorilla tracking exclusively in Volcanoes National Park, home to 11 habituated mountain gorilla families. Travelers visiting Rwanda can arrive via Kigali or access Volcanoes National Park through neighboring Uganda. For detailed information on gorilla tracking in Rwanda, reach out to Trek Africa Expeditions.
Gorilla tracking in Uganda is a tale of two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Bwindi is home to 18 habituated mountain gorilla families available for tourism, with each family accommodating up to 8 tourists per day. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park hosts 1 resident gorilla family and 1 mobile gorilla family that occasionally ventures into neighboring Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo.
The political instability in Congo’s eastern Kivu province has disrupted tourism activities over the years, leading to frequent park closures due to rebel attacks on park rangers. DR Congo boasts three national parks: Virunga National Park for mountain gorillas, Kahuzi Biega National Park for eastern lowland gorillas, and Odzala National Park for western lowland gorillas. While all these national parks are open for tourism, travelers are encouraged to contact Trek Africa Expeditions for information on Congo gorilla safaris. Due to lower tourist numbers in Congo, last-minute inquiries and bookings for gorilla tracking adventures are feasible.
It is important to note that all visitors intending to explore Congo must access the country through Uganda and Rwanda, as these neighboring countries offer more convenient entry points to Virunga National Park.
All three countries can be visited year-round, but the optimal times are during the dry months of June to September and December to February. Contact Trek Africa Expeditions to secure your gorilla tracking adventure in Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo, and we will assist you in obtaining gorilla permits for this unforgettable experience.