“I feel more comfortable with gorillas than people. I can anticipate what a gorilla’s going to do, and they’re purely motivated.” ~ Dian Fossey
Mountain gorilla watching is without doubt the key highlight of African safaris today. An encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild is such a captivating experience, not to be missed on any African safari holiday.
The three African states, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo offer refuge to the remaining 1063 mountain gorilla population, making them the most sought-after creatures on earth. These are classified as endangered species, and visiting them in the wild is possible on a gorilla safari.
This article discusses the various gorilla families observed in the three African countries, and the things you need to keep in mind while visiting these places. Read till the end to know more about these places and the extraordinary experience provided by them.
Where to go for mountain gorilla watching
Unlike other primate species, mountain gorillas don’t live at the zoo, you can only encounter them while in their natural habitat, and in the world, there are only 3 countries to visit; Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rwanda
Rwanda, located in the heart of Africa, is home to 30% of the 1063 mountain gorillas that still survive on Earth today. Mountain gorilla watching can only be done while at Volcanoes National Park Rwanda.
This is a compact national park, lying in the Virunga Massif that covers the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo.
There are twelve mountain gorilla families that have been fully habituated and are open for gorilla tourism in Volcanoes Park alone.
Some of the popular gorilla families include the Susa A, Ugenda, Agashya/Group 13, Karisimbi/Susa B, Umubano family, Bwenge, Sabyinyo group, Amahoro, Titus, Isimbi, Pablo, and others.
From Kigali to Volcanoes National Park, it takes 2–3 hours of driving, and a 4×4 safari vehicle is widely preferred and recommended.
The park is located in the Northwestern side of Rwanda and was gazetted in 1925 making it the oldest in the Land of a Thousand Hills.
DO YOU KNOW?The global safari tourism market generated USD 34.6 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5 % between 2024-2032.Alt Text – Global Safari Tourism Market.
Uganda
There are two important locations where mountain gorilla watching is always carried out in Uganda; Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the two destinations where all twenty-five habituated families reside.
Tracking these large apes in Uganda is possible in the five regions or sectors/areas; Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ntebeko sectors. Different gorilla families are popular in each of these sectors.
From the Ruhija sector, the four most popular gorilla families to visit on a gorilla trek include the Mukiza family, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, and Oruzogo families.
Within the Buhoma Sector, popular habituated gorilla families include Katwe, Rushegura gorilla family, Habinyanja, and Mubare gorilla group.
In the Rushaga Sector, popular habituated gorilla families include Bweza, Nshongi, Kahungye, Mucunguzi, Busingye, Mishaya, Bikingi, Kutu, and Busingye.
Within Nkuringo, popular gorilla families to visit include Bushaho, Nkuringo, and Christmas.
The fifth gorilla trekking sector in Uganda is Ntebeko, and the Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only family that is available for gorilla watching in Mgahinga National Park.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are issued out to foreign non-residents at USD800, foreign residents at USD700, and USD500 for African passport holders.
You have two options to choose from for gorilla watching in Uganda, the normal gorilla trekking and the mountain gorilla habituation experience.
Gorilla habituation permits cost USD1500 per person for the category of foreign non-residents and foreign residents USD1000 and African citizens.
Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the 3rd destination where mountain gorillas live, and they can be watched while in their natural habitat. It is also an ideal place to see the Eastern lowland gorillas in the wild.
The habituated mountain gorilla families in D.R. Congo exist in the Virunga National Park, and they include the Rugendo family, Lulengo, Kabirizi, Bageni, Mapuwa, Humba, Munyanga group, and others.
The Virunga National Park is the biggest park of the 4 where mountain gorillas are trekked in Africa. Located in Eastern D.R. Congo, Virunga sits on a land area of about, 7800sq. Km, and it is also home to the world’s most powerful volcano, Nyiragongo.
To visit the Virunga Mountain Gorillas, you must have valid gorilla permits, each costing USD 450 per person.
DO YOU KNOW? Gorillas live in social groups and can communicate with each other using a variety of vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions. Their calls can be heard over long distances.
When is the Best Time to Go Mountain Gorilla Trekking?
The dry season is the most favorable time to go watch mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This is from June, July, August, and September, the long dry months of the year, then December, January to February for the short dry season.
What to carry regardless of whether you are visiting during the dry or wet season; waterproof hiking boots, a good camera, insect repellents, day pack, sweater, long pants, safari hat, gorilla permit, passport, valid visas, trousers, bottled water, snacks.
