African Countries With Gorillas

African Countries With Gorillas: Every other year, a large number of people travel to gorilla-friendly countries in Africa with hopes of going on a gorilla trekking safari tour and seeing the gorillas up close. Undoubtedly, gorillas are the most fascinating kind of primates on the planet. Despite being a considerably bigger and more formidable ape species, gorillas are yet incredibly friendly. Given that they have 98% of the same DNA as humans, gorillas are similar to us.

Only Africa is home to gorillas. The Western and Eastern gorillas are the only two species of gorillas. The Cross River gorilla and the Western lowland gorilla are two of the two subspecies of Western gorillas. The Eastern lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas are the two subspecies of Eastern gorillas that are farther separated. With about 250000 gorillas in the wild, western gorillas are the most numerous gorilla species worldwide. In addition to being considerably bigger than their Western counterparts, Eastern gorillas also have fur that is much darker and longer. Indeed, gorillas are incredibly muscular and heavy; an adult male gorilla can weigh up to 200 kg on average.

Where in Africa are gorillas found? Where in Africa can I find gorillas?

In Africa, gorillas inhabit the untamed forests of East and Central Africa. Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda are among the African nations home to gorillas. While gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is a common part of Africa gorilla safaris, gorilla safaris can also be quite rewarding in other gorilla-rich African countries, particularly those in Western Africa. The following are African nations home to gorillas and their distinct kinds and subspecies:Uganda

Without a question, one of the greatest locations to witness mountain gorillas in the wild is Uganda. Travelers may see Uganda’s two gorilla locations, which offer the rare opportunity to see mountain gorillas in their native environment. In Uganda, gorilla trekking safaris are possible in two of the country’s most Western regions, close to the Rwandan border: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These parks are home to gorillas. More than half of the world’s mountain gorilla population resides in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; the remaining gorilla population is shared by the Virunga Massifs, which include Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, the Democratic Republic of the Congo‘s Virunga National Park, and Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. At any time of year, visitors to Uganda’s gorilla locations may come across mountain gorillas. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is limited to habituated gorillas. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are around two semi-habituated gorilla families available for gorilla habituation excursions.

Travelers can journey with approximately 20 habituated gorilla families in Uganda to see mountain gorillas in their natural environment. While only the Nyakagezi gorilla family can be encountered by tourists going on gorilla trekking safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, about 19 habituated gorilla families are available for gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone.

Travelers are expected to obtain gorilla licenses in order to see the gorillas in Uganda. These permits cost $700 for foreign non-residents and $600 for foreign residents, whereas East African people simply have to pay UGX 250000 per person per trek to see the gorillas. at order to spend up to four hours with the mountain gorillas, travelers must pay $1500 per person for gorilla habituation experiences at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Rwanda

One of the gorilla-friendly nations in Africa is Rwanda, which invites visitors to see these incredible mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the country’s only gorilla sanctuary. The beautiful rainforest of Volcanoes National Park was the starting point for renowned primatologist Dian Fossey’s extensive research and habituated study of mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park are found in approximately twelve habituated gorilla families in Rwanda, which visitors may come across during their gorilla trekking experience. The cost of a Rwandan gorilla permit is $1500 for per trekker.

Congo’s Democratic Republic

Another African nation home to gorillas is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which also welcomes visitors on year-round gorilla safaris. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is endowed with three distinct taxa of gorillas: the mountain gorillas found in Virunga National Park, the eastern lowland gorillas primarily found in Kahuzi Biega National Park, where visitors can witness them during gorilla trekking, and the western lowland gorillas located in the remote western region of the country along the Madiakoko Mountains. With a $400 per person per trek Congo permit, travelers can see both the Eastern lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas throughout the year.

Cameroon

Another African nation home to gorillas is Cameroon. The eastern lowland gorilla and the western lowland gorilla are both found in Cameroon, a nation in West Africa. With only 250 of its kind remaining worldwide, cross-river gorillas are the most critically endangered of all gorilla species and subspecies. They are often located between the Nigerian and Cameroonian borders. The western lowland gorillas of Cameroon, located in Campo-Ma’an National Park, are accessible for gorilla trekking experiences; however, cross-river gorillas are not available for gorilla trekking or encounters. However, there is less than a 70% chance of seeing western lowland gorillas in Cameroon.

Nigeria

One of the African nations where gorillas can be found is Nigeria. The Cross River Gorillas are found in Nigeria; they are dispersed throughout a 2900 square mile region of the Cross River National Park, Mbe Mountain, and Afi Mountain, making it extremely difficult to come into contact with them. It’s also crucial to remember that Nigeria’s Cross River Gorillas are still wild and unhabilitated, making them unsuitable for gorilla trekking.

Republic of Central Africa                                                                                                                         Of all the African nations home to gorillas, particularly the Western lowland gorillas, the Central African Republic is one of the greatest areas to travel these primates. Dzanga-Ndoki National Park is home to the only habituated family of Western lowland gorillas in the Central African Republic, which tourists can experience through gorilla trekking. Because of the deep jungle and poor lighting in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, photographing the western lowland gorillas in the Central African Republic can be challenging.

Brazzaville, Congo                                                                                                                                      The Western lowland gorillas, which are primarily located in Odzala National Park, are also inhabited by Congo Brazzaville. 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 concealed enclosures and patiently waiting for the gorillas to emerge into open clearings called Bai is the most optimal approach to witness the western lowland gorillas of Odzala National Park. The most frequently observed clearing, home to over 100 western lowland gorillas, is Mbeli Bai.

Gabon                                                                                                                                                                One of the African nations having gorillas is Gabon, and since the nation 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 having the highest concentration of gorillas.

Guinea Equatorial                                                                                                                                      The Western lowland gorillas can be found in Monte Alen National Park in Equatorial Guinea. Despite this, gorilla tourism is still in its infancy. Nonetheless, a number of knowledgeable locals lead regular walks through the jungle where there’s a good chance of seeing several primates.

Angola                                                                                                                                                            One of the many African nations home to gorillas is Angola, which has a large population of western lowland gorillas in its Northern region, particularly in the Cabinda enclave, which is close to the Congo River. Angola’s gorilla tourism industry is likewise underdeveloped.

Do gorillas inhabit Africa? Indeed, gorillas exist in Africa. The African nations home to gorillas were stated above. Gorilla safaris in Africa are still possible in the few gorilla-rich African nations, including Uganda, Rwanda, the Congo, and Cameroon, despite the fact that many of them lack well-developed gorilla tourism. Given Africa’s breathtaking natural beauty, get in contact with a reliable gorilla safari tour operator to have an incredible gorilla safari and more.