Mountain gorilla trekking is a great experience as you crouch in the thick rain-forest in the presence of the few last remaining populations of mountain gorillas in the world. So sad there are about 700 of these beautiful animals left. The experience of seeing them in their natural environment is such a lifetime experience. For many tourists, this is their most amazing wildlife experience.

Mountain gorillas are the biggest living primates in the world and their natural habitats are the think rainforests of East and West Africa. Their locations on the opposite sides of the African continent have contributed to the rise of two different species; the Western Gorilla and the Eastern Gorilla. The Western Gorillas have divided into two more sub-species; the Western Lowland and River Cross Gorilla. The Eastern cousins are additionally sub-partitioned into the Eastern Lowland and Mountain Gorilla.

Mountain Gorillas are found in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo with a big population found deep in Uganda’s suitably named Bwindi Impenetrable Forest located in the southwestern part of the country, in the Kanungu District on the edge of the Albertine Rift.

The Eastern Lowland Gorillas have somewhat shorter fur and are slightly smaller than the Mountain Gorilla. Mountain Gorillas are very dark with thick black fur, big heads, and large chests. As the males mature at around the age of 13 and reach adulthood, they grow a silver-colored saddle over their backs, which is the reason they are called Silverbacks.

Our experienced guides and hosts are available from the moment you arrive at the airport to make sure every element of your tour is safe and memorable.

Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

With direct flights operating from Nairobi to Kigali every day, it is possible to arrive at the airport and be at your luxury safari lodge overlooking the Virunga Mountains within three hours by private road transfer.

The Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda are found in the Volcanoes National Park aka Parc National des Volcans and tourists may also see Golden Monkeys or visit our closest relatives, the Chimpanzees, found in Nyungwe Forest National Park located in the southwestern part of the country. East Africa’s Virunga Mountains are a chain of active volcanoes which lie on the borders between Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Running down the western side of the Great Rift Valley, the Virunga Mountains are located in what is known as the Albertine Rift and comprise of eight main peaks, the highest of which towers up to around 5,000m.

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Forest National Park in the southwestern part of Uganda is a world heritage site containing almost half of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas inside its 330 sq km of montane and lowland forest.

The Forest is found in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Despite the fact that Bwindi Forest is situated at a slightly low altitude compared to Volcanoes national park Rwanda, Bwindi’s highest peaks are over 2,500m and most areas of the park are above 2,000m.

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