Go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo with Gorilla Riddles

Essential information about gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda & DR Congo

Though chimps are more closely related to humans as they have 98.7% of our DNA, gorillas regardless of their species seem to connect more to us as visitors. Nothing prepares you for being stared at by these gentle giants. And that is exactly what they do. They look at us with as much interest as much as we are look at them.

They can be trekked anytime of the year at their primary habitat, Virunga Region and its distant neighbor Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Uganda. First forward, in case that name doesn’t ring a bell, Virunga region is a vast montane forest setting at the heart of Africa. It covers three regions. These include the south Western part of Uganda which covers the Mgahinga National park, a destination within two hours’ drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, also a habitat for mountain gorillas. The other is the North Western part of Rwanda which covers the Volcanoes National Park and lastly, the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo covering the Virunga National park.

A gorilla trek in all these parks offers such a rewarding up-close encounter with them that you can virtually feel the gorilla’s breath on you. Regardless of the time you visit, you are assured of a 90% chance gorilla sightings thanks to a 24hr surveillance system that keeps track of their movements.

Many nature lovers also come to here to view the unique Albertine birds that are found in the National parks surrounding the mountains. In short, this is a good destination for all those who love adventure.

The most dominant hallmark of the massif is a chain of eight evenly distributed volcanic mountains that lie along the borders of these three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. These include Mount Nyiragongo, Mount Nyamuragira, Mount Mikeno all situated in DRC, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Karisimbi found at the border of DRC and Rwanda, Mount Mgahinga, Mount Muhavura and Mount Sabyinyo at the border of Rwanda and Uganda.

All the mentioned mountains are very open to mountaineering and touring except for the Nyamuragira because it is an active volcano on the verge of erupting. During your visit, we will offer you a professional tour guide who will take you through mountain gorilla trekking, bird watching, golden monkey trekking, chimpanzee tracking, general sightseeing tours. Each activity is crowned with a community tour that allows one to mingle with natives as they immerse in their authentic traditional cultures.

You are advised to carry necessary equipment and heavy clothes due to the cold temperatures in the Mountains.

If you are having a hard time deciding on which park to visit, here are a few notes that can help you make an informed decision.

Rwanda Gorilla Safaris in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes offers a comparatively clear and conducive to easy sightings. However, having explored mountain gorillas in every park in which they exist, our opinion of Volcanoes National Park is that its gorilla-watching experience feels a little too polished and, dare we say it, not quiet wild enough. However, if you’re allocated to Susa B group, things might be different. Their home territory lies high up Mount Karisimbi which is quite an exhausting hike to reach.

Long story short, this is one of the best destinations in this continent if you allow sufficient time to partake in the broader range of activities on offer. The gorilla adventure itself is remarkable, and with its upmarket safari lodges and ease of access, it is a dream-come-true getaway for anyone who wants a taste of the African rainforest without too much discomfort.

Uganda Gorilla Safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an exceptionally beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site; a magnificent green swathe of tangled rainforest on the steep ridges of the Western Rift Valley. It ranks as the destination with the highest number of habituated mountain gorillas in the world, numbering over 250 members belonging to 18 families. The ones that are still 100% wild are over 210 as the latest reports by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Trekking to see birds here is a remarkable experience. The guides know where to find the different kinds of birds found here although not all the 350 sightings are guaranteed. The park is blessed with all the 23 Albertine Rift Endemics.

Sitting at 1,160m - 2,607m above sea level, Bwindi is also one of the most extensive and ecologically diverse forests in Africa, boasting of over 400 plant species that have survived the ice age. Though the park was gazetted in the early 90’s, it is over 25,000 years old and provides shelter to a further 120 mammals. This includes several primate species such as chimpanzees, baboons, vervets and black & white monkeys, as well as forest elephants, buffaloes and antelopes.

In the interest of better management, its 331Km2 expanse is divided into four trailheads. These are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga, each of which has 3-7 gorilla families. If you wish to have a hustle free trek, Buhoma and Rushaga are a favourable option due to its relatively gentle gradient. To hike out and look back at the way their forested slopes climb up the steep Albertine escarpment is a treasured experience.

An encounter with each gorilla family here provides an experience that is totally different from any other. It is hard to forget one amazing experience when the whole troop followed us down the mountains of Bwindi to the boundary of the forest after our time with them was up. The excursions here are very smooth and well-managed operation. There are strict guidelines to ensure gorillas aren’t adversely affected by visitors due to their critically endangered status. Throughout your hike, you will be expected to keep a 7m distance from them, never tracking gorillas if you have an infectious respiratory infection such as COVID-19. Touching the animals is also not advisable though there is no fine for it.

If you wish for a wilder encounter of the gorillas, the gorilla habituation that Bwindi offers is worth a star recommendation. The habituation process is done by primatologists, researchers and ranger guides who visit the wild gorillas on a daily basis for about three years. This frequent encounter makes the gorillas comfortable having people near them. On the part of conservation, it helps to increase understanding of mountain gorilla behavior, as well as allowing veterinary teams to intervene if gorillas are injured or showing signs of ill health.

Congo Gorilla Safaris in Virunga National Park

Fact! There is no primate kingdom on earth that outshines Congo’s Virunga National Park. At 790,000 hectares, not only is it the biggest primate habitat in the world, but also the most ecologically diverse, with up to 22 species (of primates). Here, you have a 70% plus chance of encountering three types of great apes – the mountain gorilla, eastern chimpanzee an eastern lowland gorilla. As expected, the most popular star among these is the mountain gorillas and yes, Virunga is home to 604 of the 1120 that are still surviving in Africa. It is Africa’s oldest park, having been gazzated in 1925 (then known as Albert National Park).

The park consists of four sectors – northern, southern, lake and central. One thing they share in common is an unrivaled diversity of landscapes and ecosystems.

Of all the park’s four zones, the southern sector is the most popular for its montane tropical forests and active volcanoes. Here, you will also find mountain gorillas, mostly living on the flanks of the dormant Mikeno volcano. The central sector is located around Lake Edward, the Ishasha river valley and the Rwindi plains.

While the gorillas are the star attraction at Virunga National Park, there are also birding walks, forest and waterfall hikes and mountain climbing. This includes a day long hike up the 3,470 m (11,380 ft) Nyiragongo, an active volcano.

Any adventurous traveller who wishes to experience the thrill that an active volcano provides will be blown away by Nyiragongo, a natural awe-inspiring natural wonder that features jaw-dropping backdrops. Located in Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo, it is a spectacular stratovolcano and tangible phenomena that shows our planet is alive. Here, you will find one of the world’s largest lava lakes. It sits above cloud level and gorgeously lights up the sky at night with its orange glow. The view and smell of its boiling lava is a real treat for the senses.

Uganda Gorilla Tours in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest park, covering 33.7km2. Located in South Western Uganda towards its border with Congo and Rwanda, it is comprised of three free standing volcanoes that rise to an altitude of 2,227m and 4,127m. These are Mountain Mgahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhavura, all of which adjoins with the parks across the borders of Congo and Rwanda. The park boasts of incredible vantage points to admire the soaring beauty of Virunga region and its wonders especially crater lakes and a mix of both dormant and active volcanoes.

Mgahinga’s golden monkeys are the main attraction, but the park is also home to a family of habituated gorillas known as the Nyakagezi group. Comprised of 11 members, they usually dwell in the bamboo zone or forest zone of the park depending on the time of the year. An up-close encounter with these endangered giants is an experience like no other and anyone who has the chance shouldn’t pass up the opportunity. Other wildlife found here includes elephant, black-and-white monkey, forest buffalo and at least 12 bird species endemic to the Albertine Rift.

Because there is no lodge on its mountains, most people who come here for mountain climbing summit it in one day. The best part of the story is that you can also do it regardless of your level of fitness. It takes just about eight hours for a to and fro hike, inclusive of stopovers. This doesn’t mean that you should rush your hike. On the contrary, take things slow. This will minimize your possibility of succumbing to altitude sickness.