African Countries with Gorillas.

Every other year, a large number of visitors go to gorilla-infested African nations in hopes of getting a chance to see the primates on a gorilla trekking safari trip. Perhaps the most interesting primate species on the planet are gorillas. Despite being more bigger and stronger than other ape species, gorillas are yet very kind. Given that they share around 98% of their DNA with us, gorillas are like humans.

Only in Africa are gorillas native. Only two species of gorillas exist: the eastern and western gorillas. The Cross River gorilla and the western lowland gorilla are two of the two subspecies of western gorillas. Additionally, there are two subspecies of Eastern gorillas: mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas.

With a recorded population of about 250000, Western gorillas are the most populous gorilla species worldwide. In addition to being noticeably bigger than their western counterparts, eastern gorillas also have longer, darker fur. Indeed, gorillas are robust and large animals; an adult man may weigh up to 200 kg on average.

In Africa, where do gorillas reside? Where in Africa can I observe gorillas?

East and central Africa’s untamed woods are home to gorillas. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon, and Central African Republic are among the African nations that are home to gorillas.

Gorilla safaris in Africa often take tourists on gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda, but the other gorilla-infested African nations, particularly those in western Africa, also provide wonderful and very fulfilling gorilla safari experiences. Gorillas and their particular species and subspecies may be found in the following African nations:

Uganda

Without a question, one of the greatest locations to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is Uganda. Travelers may see the endangered mountain gorillas in their native environment at two gorilla locations in Uganda, which is a blessing. Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda provide the opportunity to see gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which are both situated in the country’s southwest close to the Rwandan border.

More than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population lives in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; the remaining portion is shared by the Virunga Massifs, which include Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and the Congo’s Virunga National Park. In all of Uganda’s gorilla sites, visitors may come across mountain gorillas at any time of year.

While there are around two semi-habituated gorilla families available for gorilla habituation experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, only habituated gorillas are seen by tourists on gorilla trekking in Uganda.

Travelers may venture to Uganda to see the mountain gorillas in their native environment, which is home to roughly 20 habituated gorilla families. There are around 19 habituated gorilla families accessible for gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone, but Mgahinga Gorilla National Park only offers the Nyakagezi gorilla family for visitors to see during gorilla trekking.

In Uganda, visitors are required to obtain gorilla licenses, which cost $800 for international non-residents and $700 for foreign residents. East African people, on the other hand, just pay UGX300,000 per person each walk to see the gorillas. Travelers who want to spend up to four hours with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park must pay $1500 per person for gorilla habituation excursions.

Rwanda

The sole gorilla attraction in Rwanda is Volcanoes National Park, where visitors may see these magnificent mountain gorillas. Rwanda is one of the gorilla-infested nations in Africa. The renowned primatologist Dian Fossey spent time researching and acclimating mountain gorillas to Volcanoes National Park, a magnificent rainforest location.

There are around 12 habituated gorilla families in Rwanda that visitors may come across when gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, which is home to mountain gorillas. The cost of a Rwandan gorilla permit is $1500 per trekper.

Congo’s Democratic Republic

Another African nation having gorillas is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which also welcomes visitors on year-round gorilla safaris.

The Congo is fortunate to be home to three different species of gorillas: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, eastern lowland gorillas, which are primarily found in Kahuzi Biega National Park and are visible to tourists who go gorilla trekking in the country, and western lowland gorillas, which are found along the Madiakoko Mountains in the far western region of the Congo.

With a Congo permit costing only $400 per person per trip, visitors may see the country’s mountain and eastern lowland gorillas throughout the year.

Cameroon

Another African nation that has gorillas is Cameroon. Both the eastern and western lowland gorillas may be found in Cameroon, a nation in West Africa. There are only around 250 cross-river gorillas remaining in the world, making them the most severely endangered gorilla species and subspecies. They are often located between the Nigerian and Cameroonian borders.

While gorilla trekking and encounters with Cameroonian cross-river gorillas are not possible, gorilla trekking excursions are possible in the western lowland of Cameroon, which is located in Campo-Ma’an National Park. However, there is less than a 70% chance of seeing Cameroon’s western lowland gorillas.

Nigeria

Among the African nations having gorillas is Nigeria. It is quite difficult to come across the Cross River Gorillas in Nigeria, which are dispersed around a 2900 square mile region of the Cross River National Park, Mbe Mountain, and Afi Mountain. It’s also critical to remember that Nigeria’s cross-river gorillas are still wild and untamable, making them unsuitable for gorilla trekking.

Republic of Central Africa

Among all the African nations that have gorillas, the Central African Republic is one of the greatest locations for trekking the western lowland gorillas. Dzanga-Ndoki National Park is home to Western lowland gorillas in the Central African Republic.

There is only one completely habituated gorilla family that tourists may experience on gorilla trekking excursions. Because of the deep jungle and poor lighting at Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, it may be challenging to get quality photos of the Central African Republic’s western lowland gorillas.

Brazzaville, Congo

Congo Brazzaville, which is mostly located in Odzala National Park, also lives among the western lowland gorillas. There are more than 22,000 western lowland gorillas in Odzala National Park, but only two habituated gorilla families are available for gorilla tourism in the nation.

Staying in covert enclosures and waiting for the gorillas to emerge in wide clearings called Bai is the ideal method to observe the western lowland gorillas in Odzala National Park. The most often seen clearing, Mbeli Bai, is home to around 100 western lowland gorillas.

One of the African nations having gorillas is Gabon, and because the country is a fantastic wildlife destination, there are many more to see. The majority of Gabon’s national parks are home to western lowland gorillas, with Moukalaba-Doudou National Park housing the greatest concentration of gorillas.

Guinea in the Equatoria

Monte Alen National Park is home to western lowland gorillas, who are also found in Equatorial Guinea. However, gorilla tourism is still in its infancy. Nonetheless, there are some knowledgeable locals who lead regular walks into the jungle, increasing the likelihood of seeing several primates.

Angola

One of the numerous gorilla-inhabited African nations is Angola, which is home to many western lowland gorillas in its northern region, particularly in the Cabinda enclave close to the Congo River. In Angola, gorilla tourism is also underdeveloped.

Does Africa have gorillas? Indeed, gorillas exist in Africa. The African nations having gorillas are listed above. In the few African nations that contain gorillas, such as Uganda, Rwanda, the Congo, and Cameroon, among others, gorilla safaris are still possible, despite the fact that gorilla tourism is not highly established in many of them. Given Africa’s breathtaking natural splendor, get in contact with a reliable gorilla safari tour operator to experience an incredible Africa gorilla safari and more.