Where to See Gorillas in Africa (Top 10 Places)

Gorillas are one of the great wildlife that can be found in the tropical forests in Africa. These large, muscular apes are the largest living primates in the world.

In this article, we will cover the top 10 places to see gorillas in Africa. In most of these places, you can experience them up close in their natural habitats.

Top 10 Places to See Gorillas in Africa

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

The first destination on our list is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. This national park is home to nearly half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.

The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and is situated along the Democratic Republic of the Congo just next to the Virunga National Park, another top destination that we will explore later on.

At Bwindi, you can take part in the gorilla trekking adventure. You will go through the challenging pathways and spend hours with a gorilla family in the wild.

Aside from seeing over 450 mountain gorillas, you find many other animals, like colobus monkeys and chimpanzees.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park costs from 800 dollars to 1500 US dollars. Foreign students with a valid international identity card can get up to 25% off on entrance fees.

The best time to visit Bwindi is during the dry seasons, from June to August and December to February. During this time, the trails are less muddy and easier to trek.

2. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The second spot goes to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. This is the best place to see gorillas up close in Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park is home to about 10 gorilla families, and each family is led by a giant silverback that is responsible for the group’s safety. Visitors are allowed to come close to the gorilla in a once-in-a lifetime experience.

This park is famous for its volcanic landscapes and rich biodiversity. Volcanoes Park is highly recommended for gorilla trekking. You can follow in the footsteps of the legendary primatologist Dian Fossey.

The gorilla permit at Volcanoes National Park costs 1500 US dollars. This fee includes guiding and conservation costs. Visitors are also allowed to view the gorillas for up to one hour and take photographs.

The best time to visit is when the weather is more favourable for trekking. This is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February.

3. Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Remember we mentioned Virunga National Park earlier? Virunga is a top destination for sighting gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park is not only Africa’s oldest national park but also one of the most biologically diverse areas on the continent.

Virunga is the only protected area in the world to find the mountain gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla, and the eastern chimpanzee in one place.

The park, which is located in the Albertine Rift Valley in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was created in 1925, and since then the wildlife population has increased. As of 2012, there were 196 mammals, 706 bird species, 109 reptiles, and 65 amphibians living in the Virunga National Park.

If you are planning a fun and memorable trip to Virunga, the best time to visit is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February.

The cost of gorilla trekking at Virunga National Park depends on the season. During the high season, from mid-December to mid-March and June to October, a gorilla permit costs 400 US dollars per person. In the low season, from mid-March to mid-May and mid-October to mid-December, the cost is 200 US dollars.

4. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another home to giant gorillas. Although Mgahinga Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, the gorilla trekking experience is still worth your while.

The park is home to the Nyakagezi gorilla group, known for their playful behaviour. Due to the smaller number of visitors to the park, you can be sure of a more perfect trekking with the gorillas.

Aside from seeing gorillas, you also get to enjoy the view of three inactive volcanoes, namely Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabyinyo. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park also shares a common border with Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There are around 30 mountain gorillas present in the national park. Another primate to look out for are golden monkeys since they are also native to Mgahinga, the Virungas, Volcanoes National Park, and Kahuzi-Biega in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For the best trekking experience, visit from June to August and December to February.

The gorilla trekking permit at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park costs 700 USD per person for foreign non-residents and 600 USD per person for foreign residents.

5. Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of Congo

If you love the dense forests, then Odzala-Kokoua National Park located west in the Republic of the Congo is the destination for you.

At Odzala-Kokoua, you will find the western lowland gorilla, one of the endangered gorilla species. Although a large population of gorillas at Odzala-Kokoua was affected after an outbreak in 2000, the present population is still on the rise.

Just like many other rainforests, the best time to visit Odzala-Kokoua National Park is during the dry season when there is less rain. This is usually from June to September and December to February.

6. Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Kahuzi-Biega National Park is another top tourist destination for gorilla trekking. Located near Bukavu town in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, this national park is home to a good population of eastern lowland gorillas.

This national park is named after two dormant volcanoes, Mount Kahuzi and Mount Biega, and borders Rwanda.

Kahuzi-Biega is one of the few places in Africa that still houses the Eastern Lowland Gorilla. This gorilla species was listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The park has over 250 eastern lowland gorillas, which have the highest population in a single region.

Gorilla trekking at Kahuzi-Biega can last between 4 and 6 hours and costs around 400 to 450 US dollars per individual.

7. Loango National Park, Gabon

If you prefer to see gorillas in Gabon, then Loango National Park is your destination. This park, which protects forest areas, savanna, and wetlands around the Iguela Lagoon, is home to western lowland gorillas.

Visitors to Loango National Park can experience gorillas from a close distance of 7 m. The best time to visit Loango is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February.

8. Cross River National Park, Nigeria

The Cross River National Park is a national park located in Cross River State, Nigeria. The park is home to the critically endangered Cross River gorillas.

There are two sections of the park, Okwangwo and Oban. Cross River gorillas can be found in the Okwangwo area of the park. Over 30-40 gorillas can be seen on Mbe Mountain.

Cross River Park has about 78% of the total primate population found in Nigeria. These primates include the common chimpanzee and western gorilla, and the endangered Sclater’s guenon, Preuss’s monkey, and drill.

The park is heavily involved in conservation efforts to protect these gorillas. Trekking here not only offers a chance to see them but also supports their preservation.

The best time to visit is during the dry seasons, from November to February.

9. Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, Central African Republic

Another place on our list is the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, located in the southwestern Central African Republic.

The reserve is home to western lowland gorillas. Visitors to the reserve are allowed to see these gorillas in their natural habitat.

Other primates present in Dzanga-Sangha are chimpanzees, Central African red colobus, Allen’s swamp monkey, olive baboon, and many others.

10. Lobeke National Park, Cameroon

Lobeke National Park is located in Cameroon. This destination is a top choice for gorilla trekking in Cameroon.

The park is home to a good population of western lowland gorillas. Aside from gorillas, the park is also home to other primates like chimpanzees and the black Colobus monkey.

The best time to visit Lobeke National Park is between December and February, when the roads are dry and wildlife is roaming free.

Other places to see gorillas in Africa are Cabinda enclave, Angola, and Monte Alen National Park, Equatorial Guinea.

Conclusion

Gorillas are definitely one of the wonders of Africa, and to experience them in their natural habitat is a memorable experience for wildlife enthusiasts. In this article, I have provided the top 10 places to see gorillas in Africa. These destinations are located in different countries in Africa and are arranged based on the population of gorillas found.

You will discover that the most promising countries to see gorillas in their natural habitat are Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria.

The top places to see gorillas in the wild are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Odzala-Kokoua National Park.

FAQs

Which country has many gorillas in Africa?

The country with many gorillas in Africa is Uganda. Compared to other African countries, Uganda has the highest number of mountain gorillas.

Can you see gorillas in Tanzania?

No, gorillas are not found in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe. The best countries to see gorillas are Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

How much does gorilla trekking cost?

The cost varies by country. In Rwanda, permits are around $1,500, while in Uganda, they are about $700. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, permits are approximately $400.

Is gorilla trekking safe?

Yes, gorilla trekking is safe. There are always experienced guides and trackers present, and they follow strict protocols to ensure both visitor and gorilla safety.

Can children go gorilla trekking?

Most countries have a minimum age requirement of 15 years for gorilla trekking to ensure safety and minimise disturbance to the gorillas.