Gorilla

Summary
The mountain gorilla is one of the rarest animals in the world with only 600 to 700 individuals remaining. The safari industry in both Rwanda and Uganda is currently built almost entirely around this species. There are a limited number of habituated groups, and then a limited number of trekking permits for each group on a daily basis ensuring that this remains one of the least frequently seen species in Africa. The good news is holders of permits are almost assured sightings with almost 100% success on treks, failure to find the gorillas is extremely rare. Once found you will typically have a one hour viewing experience with the group. Lowland gorillas are more numerous but yet only two groups in all Africa are habituated and they are far off the beaten path of most safari travelers.

Best Places
Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda offer daily treks to habituated groups of mountain gorillas. The only habituated group of western lowland gorillas can be viewed from Bai Hokou Research Camp in Dzanga-Ndoki National Park within the Central African Republic, the approximate success rate is 75% for each daily trek but as these gorillas range further than mountain gorillas it can be more physically demanding as well.

Note: It is possible to do treks for mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo but due to safety reasons we do not arrange trips to these locations.

Other Areas of Note
Gabon has exciting opportunities to view non-habituated lowland gorillas as they enter bai (open clearings in the forest) areas. Viewing is far from guaranteed but with appropriate planning you can have a good chance to watch these gorillas from a platform viewing area. If you are very lucky you may have the unique opportunity to see gorillas with forest elephants or buffaloes in the same vicinity.

Something Extra
Evengué Gorilla Sanctuary in Gabon. Here there are rescued gorillas who are being trained to be reintroduced to the wild. You will have the opportunity for close viewing of these animals serving as a nice compliment at the start or end of a Gabon safari in the deep wilderness.