Where Do Mountain Gorillas Live? Mountain gorilla live in east- central Africa in two isolated groups -one in the Virunga Volcanoes ‘’a region spanning three national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo’’ DRC’’ and one in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Uganda which links to Sarambwe Nature Reserve – DRC.
In Uganda has more than half of the world’s endangered mountain gorilla population found on the Virunga Mountain slopes in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. There are two species of gorillas recorded in Africa; the Eastern and Western Gorilla ‘’Gorilla gorilla’’.
Where do mountain gorillas live? Well, mountain gorillas are known as critically endangered animals’ species.
Note; Mountain gorillas cannot survive in the captivity of a zoo. Facts, gorillas in zoo are the western lowland gorillas and why one subspecies would survive on the wild only.
Where do mountain gorillas live?
Mountain gorillas live in only three countries; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo but spans in four national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park. These are the only few places where you may see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
Mountain Gorillas in Uganda – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be seen in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The presence of these two locations is the reason why Uganda hosts the biggest population of gorillas in the world. It’s the great impact regarded for gorilla trekking tours and gorilla conservation efforts.
To track gorillas, you have to buy a gorilla permits that permits you to go into the thick forests where they live. A gorilla trekking permit can be bought direct from the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority by the Safari Company on your behalf.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a home to over 23 habituated gorilla families splintered into four gorilla sectors; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga gorilla sector. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to two gorilla families.
Gorilla permits in Uganda are sold at USD700 per person for foreign nonresidents, USD600 for foreign residents and UGX250,000 per person ‘’ spend 1hour with gorillas’’. If you want to spend more hours with gorillas can engage into Gorilla Habituation Experience which costs USD1,500 per person ‘’spend 4 hours with mountain gorillas in their natural inhabitants’’.
Both Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park are located in southwestern region of Uganda, approximately 8 to 9 hours drive from Kampala or Entebbe to the main visited destination. Alternatively, you can use a domestic flight charter or schedule by Aero link Uganda from Entebbe Airport to fly you to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip ‘’1:10hours landing’’.
Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda – Volcanoes National Park
In Rwanda, Mountain gorillas can be seen in Volcanoes National Park ‘Parc National des volcan’’. The park is located in the Northwestern part of the country and neighbors to Uganda’s Mgahinga and DRC’s Virunga National Park.
In Volcanoes National Park its where Dian Fossey undertook her research duties about the gorillas, which has impacted on Rwanda Tourism as well as conservation of gorillas and other primates.
Gorilla permits in Rwanda can be purchased via the ‘’RDB’’ Rwanda Development Board – which is the government body in charge of issuing the permits to see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.
Mountain Gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo – Virunga National Park
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, mountain gorillas can be seen in Virunga National Park. The park neighbors both Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Uganda Mgahinga National Park.
Unfortunately,’’DRC’’ Congo has been disturbed by internal conflicts for many years, the good collaboration with Uganda and Rwanda and other conservation partners has enabled the study and preservation of the habitat for endangered mountain gorillas.
While we organize gorilla trekking safari in both Uganda and Rwanda, we haven’t ventured into the gorilla tour packages of ‘’DRC’’ because of the security and safety for our guest and ourselves.
The only way to see these unique giant apes is visiting any of the places where they live, could be Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Uganda, Volcanoes National Park Rwanda or Virunga National Park Congo.
Over the years, mountain gorilla population has decreased in number but today their population is increasing dues to the conservation efforts put in the area where they live.
The recent statistics shows that total number has increased to more than 1065 mountain gorillas living in the wild. There is a great reason, in 2003 the gorilla census estimated a population of 380 individuals, meaning the population has now doubled in a period of 15 years. Although the threat to their livelihood is completely eliminated.
