Although they can be found in other parts of the world, gorillas are endemic to Africa and usually in the jungles of any country on the equator. Mountain and lowland gorillas are the main categories into which these primates are often sorted. The only known population of mountain gorillas is in the mountains of central Africa. Gorillas in central and western Africa's low, densely forested areas are called lowland gorillas.
Specifying the kind of gorillas, you hope to see when booking your gorilla trekking adventure is crucial. This is because the optimal location for viewing wild gorillas varies from species to species. If you're interested in gorilla tourism and want to start trekking, the eight finest places to observe gorillas in the wild are spread out over the forests and national parks of Africa.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Dian Fossey's conservation efforts popularized gorilla safaris in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Gorillas in the Mist, a 1988 film on Fossey's mountain gorilla research, is famous. Since then, this national park has become a top gorilla viewing spot in Africa. Rwandan gorillas are quite laid-back. Beautiful vistas and gorilla families are nearly assured.
National Park guides are pleasant and professional. They've led mountain tours for years and know where to find gorillas. Depending on the season, expect steep hills and slick mud.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda is known for its biodiversity. Over 160 tree and 100 fern species grow at this plains-mountain forest confluence. Eastern gorillas inhabit this vast environment. Eastern gorillas lack brow hair, distinguishing them from their shaggier cousins. Bwindi Park has four primary gorilla populations for tourists to see. Uganda offers gorilla viewing and other attractions. After seeing the great apes, you may hike and see more animals or whitewater rafts down the Nile for the ultimate adrenaline thrill.
Dzanga-Sangha Reserve
The wildlife highlight of the CAR is this 1,000 sq km swamp forest and mineral-rich clearings home to a large population of mammals, including elephants. One of only two locations in the world where you may hike with a skilled Ba'aka tracker to view habituated lowland gorillas is also an Important Bird Area. Most CAR vacations often take place totally within this reserve.
Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is an independent country from Congo Brazzaville across the river. Western, eastern, and mountain gorillas live in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas are best seen at Virunga National Park. Due to insurgent activity, travellers should avoid this location. Obtaining Ugandan permits and visiting the national park as a day trip from the neighbouring country allows tourists to visit.
Cross River National Park, Nigeria
An isolated gorilla population can occasionally be spotted in Nigeria's Cross River National Park. There are only an estimated 300 gorillas in this vast and dense national park, so the chances of sighting one is very limited. One unique item on your bucket list is seeing a cross-river gorilla. On the Cameroonian border, several of these Cross River gorillas reside. These little forestry enclaves, part of conservation initiatives, are not found along Nigeria's tourism routes.
Campo-Ma'an National Park, Cameroon
Western lowland gorillas inhabit Campo-Ma'an National Park in Cameroon. The tourism infrastructure is still developing, so encountering these gorillas in the wild is unlikely. The WWF and the national park are preserving gorilla habitats. WWF efforts conserve the national park's endangered western lowland gorillas. Technical help to local authorities manages and protects the national park. WWF promotes local development via scientific research and ecological monitoring.
Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon
Gabon's Moukalaba-Doudou National Park contains some of Africa's greatest western lowland gorilla numbers. The Gorilla Organization developed a big ecotourism enterprise here. This rough national park has many habitats. Between 1960 and 1980, this park's forestry was logged. Since then, previous logging areas have been full of succulent Marantaceae plants, a gorilla food source.Gabon's dry season, June–September, is ideal for gorilla trekking. A guided tour is necessary because park access is difficult.
Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic
WWF also works in Bai-Hokou, Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic. The high population of western lowland gorillas makes it one of Africa's greatest gorilla trekking destinations. The Primate Habituation Programme has conducted gorilla tourism and research here since 1997. Dzanga-Ndoki National Park offers guided hikes and trips. The deep forest and canopy may make photographing gorillas difficult, but a successful hike is likely.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Gorillas are not found at Kyambura Gorge, which is popular for chimpanzee tracking and is known as the Valley of the Apes in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park. The other savannah regions of the park, where you may go on a more conventional safari and see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and lions, stand in sharp contrast to this. It is a 1-kilometer broad canyon surrounded by a tropical jungle.
