Without doubt East Africa is the the one and only destination to think about when you want to gorilla trekking. One of the most rewarding activities to do with very unique and memorable adventures . East africa is the perfect place to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat . The region is graced with a diversity of the endangered species the mountain gorillas with more than three National parks harboring the gorillas. There is a big threat to the mountain gorillas that almost brought them to extinction and this is greatly attributed to humans who were the biggest enemies through killing them through political instability, human settlement , deforestation and cultivation. The equatorial emerald rain forest and only home for the gorillas was being encroached by humans but thanks the authorities and different conservation programs as well as the government of Uganda , Rwanda and Congo who demarcated National park premises to create boundaries for locals and also ensure the gorillas enjoy their eco system the jungle. Today we see thousands of tourist assembling in all the Countries flying in and out to visit the enormous and might gorillas.
In East Africa and Africa generally the gorillas can be found in Bwindi impenetrable national, Volcanoes national park , Virunga National Park and Mgahinga National Park . The National parks are located in Uganda, Rwanda, DRC and Uganda respectively. With these different habitats there is 100% assurance to see gorillas in very large numbers arranges in groups of families of about 10 up to 30members . Like human beings gorillas too live organized families with the dorminant silverback as the head, the females , black backs , females and babies who are all under the authority of the silverback. There are over 1000 gorillas left and scattered through the three National Parks with Bwindi impenetrable forest having the largest number and volcanoes the second , the rest are found in Virunga nad Mgahinga.
Bwindi National park
Bwindi National park is the tourism herb for mountain gorillas in all Africa. It has the most nmber of gorillas more than half the number reside in Bwindi . It is located in the southern part of Uganda in Kanungu district, and covers an area of over 331km squared, majorly the National park is a thick forest with countless tree species its actually impenetrable because of thickness of the trees. Bwindi impenetrable forest is divided into four sectors with each sector independently owning their own gorilla family . There Buhoma which is the most famous one since it’s the oldest its in the northern part of the forest, Ruhijja sector in the Eastern part of Bwindi and closest sector to connect to Queen Elizabeth National Park, we have Rushaga sector in the south closest to Cyanika boarder in Kisoro and easily accessed from Kigali , it’s a special sector since currently it’s the only one that offers Gorilla habituation and lastly we have Nkuringo sector also in the southern part of Bwindi easily accesed from Kabale district .
Bwindi National park has over 50habituated gorilla families therefore it’s the best place to think about when it comes to gorilla trekking. Aside from the mountain gorillas the forest also has other primates like the lack and white columbus monkeys, baboons , there are over 350bird species making it a perfect place to go for birding and it has 200butterfly species.
Volcanoes national Park
Volcanoes National Park is most famous, most visited national park In Rwanda , prominent for Mountain gorillas but also known for other peculiar activities it’s the best place whn it comes to gorilla trekking . The park is located in the northern part of Rwanda within the Virunga conservation massifs . The park boarders Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Virunga national park in Congo.Volcanoes national park can easily be accessed by road from Kigali International airport driving north west of Rwanda through the cultivated areas of the beautiful countryside crossing thousands of hills as you ascend up and forth until you reach Musanze district. Volcanoes national park lies in the footstool of the 5volcanoes of Sabinyo, Bisoke , Karisimbi , Mahavura, and Mgahinga mountains in a small town known as Kinigi. The park is eminent because the famous geologist Dian Fossey used it for her research about mountain gorillas and her tomb that is within the vicinities of the park is also visited a lot by tourists .
Volcanoes National has more than just gorillas, Musanze caves, hiking to the 5volcanoes also takes and visit to the twin lakes of Bulela and ruhondo.
The park is a home to over 10habituated families , gorillas in the wild enjoy the vegetation n of the bamboo in the mountains and the stems of the bamboo are their main food being since also gorillas are vegeterians . Aside gorilla trekking , the golden monkey are also highly searched out primates by the tourist they are a lot of these in the park adorning the park with their serene attraction.
Volcanoes National park is blest with other animals aside the endangered species of the gorillas and you can encounter other primates such as the black and white colombus monkey, bush bucks , elephants, duikers , giant forest hogs and countess bird species making a perfect destination to go birding and also suitable for nature walks.
Virunga National Park
Another renowned place to search for the endangered mountain gorillas in Africa is Virunga national park . The park borders both Volacanoes national park in Rwanda and Mgahinga in Uganda , it stretched through boardering Rwenzori National park in western Uganda in Democratic Republic of Congo. Its also among the few remaining habitats and only home for the mountain gorillas with a third of the numbers that are remaining . It has 10habituated gorilla families with the rest of the numbers still in the wild and cant be trekked as of now. However as of now , because of the civil war in Congo apparently the park is still closed and no visitors can trek gorillas there , they are only left with the options above.
Mgahinga National park
The park is named after the Mgahinga volcanoes and was part of the Virunga masiffs before demarcated , its located in the south western part of Uganda boarders Rwanda and is the smallest National park in Uganda. Its easily accessed from Kigali airport by road and also from Entebbe international airport through Kampala Kabale route
Nyakagezi family is the only and famous group in Mgahinga national park that is fully habituated and available for trekking therefore if you are interested in trekking I Mgahinga you only allowed 8gorilla permits a day since there is only one family. The park also also offers a boat a terrific boat cruise at Lake Mutanda which is located in the same .
