![]() It reopened in February 2019, with assurances that it was safe again. ![]() Four groups of mountain gorillas live within DRC’s Virunga National Park, which was closed recently after British tourists were kidnapped. Compared with Uganda and Rwanda, it’s the least visited, most adventurous and cheapest of the Virunga Mountains’ three homelands, with permits costing US$400. Democratic Republic of CongoĭRC is the only country that has both lowland and mountain gorillas. At US$1500, it’s the same price as one hour with Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. They’re less predictable and not as docile as habituated groups, and it’s a fascinating, intimate glimpse into how gorillas gradually get used to humans. And the permits cost just US$600.īwindi also offers the Gorilla Habituation Experience where you spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated group. The hiking can be tough – there’s a reason it’s called impenetrable – but some groups are easier to reach than others. Mgahinga National Park, while just as beautiful, lies within the Virunga Massif neighboring DRC and Rwanda, and has only one habituated group which sometimes wanders over the borders.Īs with Rwanda, it’s a very smooth operation, with excellent rangers and trackers, and local communities benefitting from fees. The best mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda are in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, with 13 groups and around 400 gorillas. Traveling around Rwanda is easy with good roads and several tour operators run trips here. With super-luxury accommodation now available in Musanze, Rwanda is becoming the ‘Botswana’ of gorilla tracking, offering great experiences but at high cost. The downside is that Rwanda’s permits are expensive at US$1500. In September, the annual naming ceremony of baby gorillas – Kwita Izina – attracts thousands of visitors to Musanze, the main town for gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park. Other groups roam lower down the slopes and are easier to track, although being wild, they’re constantly moving. It has ten groups available for tracking, including the Susa group which lives high up on Mount Karisimbi and was studied by famous primatologist Dian Fossey. Rwanda, known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, is one of the best places to see mountain gorillas. The Virunga Mountains spanning the borders of Uganda, DRC and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park are home to over 600 mountain gorillas. Here are my suggestions for the best places to see gorillas in Africa. Classed as critically endangered, fewer groups are habituated for tracking because of their inaccessible homelands.Ĭhoosing the best gorilla safari for you depends on your budget and your sense of adventure. ![]() More than 100,000 western lowland gorillas live in the lush rainforests of west and central Africa. Thankfully, their numbers are increasing – the latest census confirmed there are now over 1,000 compared to 250 when conservation efforts first started some 50 years ago. ![]() They’re found in only three countries: Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Most people want to track mountain gorillas and there’s much debate as to which country offers the best mountain gorilla safari. The sheer majesty of the silverbacks, the playfulness of the toddlers and the tenderness of their mothers are just mesmerizing. So where are the best places to see gorillas? Gorilla encounters are the ultimate wildlife experience, whether they’re mountain gorillas, Western lowland gorillas or even the rare Grauer’s gorilla. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |