Mountain Gorillas are found in Africa in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda Gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in Kigezi Region South Western Uganda and shared amongst three districts of Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro. This old tropical rain forest which was turned into a national park in 1993 in order to conserve these endangered species is home to over 350 species of birds, primates such as chimpanzees, black and white colubus monkeys among others. This great forest is home to over 400 mountain gorilla individuals since a census carried out in 2012 put the number to four hundred but since then new gorillas have been born while others have died.
For those interested in trekking gorilla, Bwidi Forest National. The forest has eleven habituated gorilla families available for trekking and these include, Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Nshonji, Mishaya, Kahungye, Nkuringo, Busingye , Bweza and Kyaguriro gorilla family which is for research. This therefore means that 88 gorilla permits are available daily to enable tourists trek gorillas in this forest.
Other gorillas are found in the Virunga Ranges shared amongst Uganda Rwanda and Congo. These highlands that include Visoke, Mgahinga, and virunga among others were formed due to vulcanicity that affected this region several years and thereafter, due to several factors where covered by vegetation which include Bamboo trees. In Uganda one habituated gorilla family is found in Mgahinga National Park, in Rwanda gorillas are found in Parc Volcans located in the northern part of the country and is approximately 2-3 hours drive from Kanobe Airport, and about 40 minutes’ drive from Uganda-Rwanda boarder. Parc Volcans has about 11 gorilla families and thus 88 gorilla permits are available every day.
Virunga National Park located in the Democratic Republic of Congo has both low land and mountain gorillas as opposed to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Parc Du Volcans in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Congo is on and off due to political instabilities and rebel activities. We therefore encourage our clients to consider trekking gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda.
If you are a researcher/Student and are interested in knowing where gorillas are found, please contact Uganda Wildlife Authority that is in charge of all protected areas and national parks in Uganda and they will provide you with extra relevant information. For details about booking a gorilla safari, gorilla permits, flights to and from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and travel advice, please contact us.
