Mountain Gorilla Parks

Gorilla trekking is the most popular tourist activity in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There are two separate populations of mountain gorillas protected in these countries. One group is found in the Virunga Mountains, a conservation area which straddles the borders of all the 3 counties. The other population of mountain gorillas is found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda. Mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountain are protected within 3 national parks which include Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in DR Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda is arguably the most popular gorilla trekking destination in the region. The park protects the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world with about 500 of these large primates found within its boundaries. There are over 15 habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi which are visited by trekkers everyday, the highest number among all gorilla parks. Some of the habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi include Mubare gorilla family, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bitukura, Orugonzo, Nkuringo, among others. Each habituated gorilla group in in Bwindi, is visited by a 8 trekkers at once per day, just like in other gorilla trekking parks. Trekkers are permitted to spend a maximum of 1 hour in the presence of gorillas in order to preserve their conservation. A gorilla permit to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi is sold at $700 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents and Uganda Shillings 250,000 for East African residents.

Due to its expansive size, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into four separate gorilla trekking sections which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Each group of trekkers is allocated a sector in which they are to visit mountain gorillas. Trekkers usually take between 2 to 6 hours hiking through the montane rainforests of Bwindi before reaching their allocated gorilla family.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only gorilla trekking destination that offers travellers a chance to enjoy the gorilla habituation experience. Gorilla habituation is a process through which wild gorillas are made to get used to the presence of humans. The experience lasts 4 hours each and it is done by both trackers and rangers. Travellers who want to take part in the gorilla habituataion experience in Bwindi pay $1,500 per person for the exercise.

The best time to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi is the dry season in the months of June to September and December to February though gorilla safaris in the park take place throughout the year.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s second gorilla-trekking destination located in the southwest of the country along the border with Rwanda. Unlike Bwindi which is very rich in gorilla population, Mgahinga has got only one gorilla group (Nyakagezi) which keeps crossing the border to and fro Rwanda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority usually allocates some gorilla trips to Mgahinga as a way of easing congestion in Bwindi. In addition to gorilla trekking, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is also very popular for golden-monkey tracking and hiking due to the presence of several volcanic summits within the park. The volcanoes include Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo. The gorilla-trekking rules in Mgahinga are the same as those in Bwindi including the price of the permit while travellers are charged $100 per person for golden monkey-tracking in the park.

Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park in northwest Rwanda is home to over 300 mountain gorillas and the park now has 10 habituated gorilla groups visited by trekkers every day. Some of the habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park include; Susa, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Umubano, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Karisimbi, among others.

Volcanoes National Park is arguably the best gorilla-trekking destination in the Virunga Mountains given its relatively high gorilla population, easy accessibility from the capital Kigali and good accommodation facilities around the park. It is one of the best managed and protected parks in the region especially compared to the neighbouring Virunga National Park in east DR Congo which is heavily affected by insecurity cases.

The good road network from Kigali makes Volcanoes National Park easily accessible by visitors  with a journey from the capital to the park lasting in just 3 hours. Rwanda’s gorilla permit for trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is sold at $1,500 per person. This is a relatively high price compared to the cost of the gorilla permit in the neighbouring countries, Uganda and DR Congo but Rwanda has far better facilities and services compared to her neighbours and the country is increasingly developing into a high-end destination. Those who have enjoyed Rwanda safaris especially gorilla trekking have confessed that the experience and satisfaction derived in the end are worth every penny paid.

In addition to seeing mountain gorillas, visitors to Volcanoes National Park can also enjoy other experiences like golden monkey-tracking, bird-viewing, volcano-hiking and community visits for cultural tours. The park is also home to the famous Dian Fossey tomb, an iconic American primatologist who was murdered in the park by poachers for protecting gorillas. Visitors to the park always pay tribute to Fossey by visiting her tomb as an appreciation for her tremendous contribution to the survival of mountain gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park also hosts the famous “Kwita Izina” the  annual gorilla-naming ceremony in which new born gorillas are given names as a way of promoting their conservation by easing their monitoring in the wild. High profile individuals from across the globe including celebrities, conservationists, politicians and activists usually attend this event.

Virunga National Park – DR Congo

Virunga National Park in eastern DR Congo is the country’s home for the endangered mountain gorillas. The park is part of the larger Virunga Mountain Conservation Area which also includes conservation parks in Rwanda and Uganda. Virunga National Park is a famous gorilla-trekking destination despite challenges of insecurity brought about by civil conflicts in the region surrounding the park. In addition to mountain gorillas, travellers are attracted to Virunga by other several amazing experiences like hiking active volcanoes of Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira located within the park. Others include chimpanzee-tracking, bird-watching, nature walks and cultural visits. The low cost of Virunga’s gorilla permit at $450 per person which is far cheaper than that of Rwanda ($1,500) and Uganda ($700) is an extra incentive for those who want to trek mountain gorillas in the park. Virunga National Park has about 250 mountain gorillas with 8 habituated gorilla groups that are visited by travellers. Habituated gorilla groups in Virunga National Park include; Kabirizi, Humba, Rugendo, Mapuwa, Lulengo, Munyaga, Nyakamwe, and Bageni gorilla family.

Virunga National Park is usually accessed from Kigali and travellers can either fly in at Goma Airport from Kigali International Airport of by road via Gisenyi, at the border with Rwanda.