WHY PROTECT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS AND THEIR NATURAL HABITATS IN UGANDA AND RWANDA
June 22, 2026
Why protect Mountain gorillas and their natural habitats in Uganda and Rwanda is not an option but a mandate as well as everyone’s business in conservation, tourism and respective governments where these great apes live in Africa.
Mountain gorillas are found in three African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo where Afromontane forest habitats of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park are their homes.
Out of the total population, it is believed that half of these are resident in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda where there four sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. The rest are shared among Mgahinga in Uganda, Virunga in Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Mountain gorillas are endangered species and protecting them and their habitat is of great concern to ensure they have a safe place to live and grow. Eco tourism and limiting the number of people visiting a given gorilla family per day is always emphasized.
Over the past few years, the number of mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Uganda has gradually increased, thanks to the concerted efforts of donors, conservation organization and governments of Uganda, Rwanda and DRC.
Protecting mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo and their forest habitats is critical for safeguarding a critically endangered species of apes, driving multi-million-dollar ecotourism economies of respective countries, providing a way of community livelihoods, and preserving important ecosystems that act as their homes, major carbon sinks and water catchments for the region and Africa at large.
Mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo have and still face challenges, including continuous habitat loss due to logging, agriculture, human encroachment as well as infrastructural development.
Other threats include diseases, illegal hunting, climate change, animal-human conflict as well as illegal wildlife trade.
Gorilla trekking: Participating in gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda means that you are directly contributing funds that will assist in paying park staff, looking after gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, and community development since some money from the sale of gorilla permits is given to community led projects through revenue sharing.
Volunteering: You may choose to do volunteer work in areas to research, habitats and or community development projects around Volcanoes or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
To protect mountain gorillas and their habitats, Encounter Africa safaris invites you to book one of our safaris to Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park or enroll to one of our mountain gorilla related programs around Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park. Our staff are on standby to assist at all time and we are just a call or email away.

EARLY BIRD SAFARI DISCOUNTS FOR 2026-27
Take a budget gorilla trip into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to trek mountain gorillas and stay in low-cost camps and gorilla lodges.
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