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Gorilla safari wildlife

The most common species, although they can hardly be described as common on any level, on a gorilla safari wildlife holiday is the mountain gorilla. The eastern lowland gorilla, the daddy of them all is also found in the Congo Basin but now highly rare. Other primates to be spotted include golden monkeys and chimpanzees, and of course you can also attach other wildlife safaris onto your trip to see some of other great mammals of the world.

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Gorillas & other wildlife

Gorillas

Most gorilla safaris will take you to see mountain gorillas, found in two locations: the Virunga Mountains, a range of extinct volcanoes that border the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda; and Bwindi Forest, in Uganda.

There are, however, four species of gorilla. The eastern lowland gorilla is the largest of all, but with desperately dwindling populations. They reside in the tropical rainforests of the Congo Basin, but years of civil unrest have reduced their habitats drastically. Calmer times bode well for tourism but it is still early days; you can track habituated groups in DRC's Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

The denser and more remote the better, in terms of rainforest habitat for the western lowland gorilla, with widespread populations across the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, DRC and Cameroon, although their numbers are also in serious decline. Finally, the Cross River gorilla is indigenous to Cameroon and Nigeria, where deforestation has been a major threat to their populations.

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Chimpanzees

Chimpanzee tracking is not only fascinating but a lot of fun. Kyambura Gorge in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park is a leading habitat, along with the Kibale Forest, and you will feel like a child on an adventure again chasing these chaps. You can spend up to an hour in their presence, and permits cost US $50 to $150, depending on where you track them. You can also take a chimp safari in DRC's Virunga National Park.

Don't feel that seeing chimpanzees will be a let-down after gorillas. They are super speedy, so you need to give it welly to keep up with them, but that is part of the fun.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Gorilla safari or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Golden Monkeys

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda are great spots for these primates, named after the golden patch on their backs. This is because of the prolific highland bamboo forest in these regions, which is the staple diet of the golden monkeys. They are particularly prolific in the rainy season, as they enjoy eating the young fresh bamboo that erupts during this time. They sleep surrounded by their food, at the top of bamboo plants, which they weave together to create a bed. It is important to support the conservation of these animals as they are on the IUCN Red List for endangered animals, caused by illegal deforestation of the bamboo forest, much of which is linked to the recent war in DRC, home to part of the Virunga volcanic range.

Tree climbing lions

The Ishasha plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda are very well known for their tree climbing lions, which are particularly fond of Ishasha’s fig trees. Curiously, there are only two populations of lions that do this as part of their daily activity; the other one is found in Lake Manyara National Park in southern Tanzania.

There are lots of theories about why these lions hang out in trees. But maybe it's just because they're lions. They are kings. They can do what they like.

More about Gorilla safari

Best time for gorilla trekking

In East Africa, the rainiest months are March, May and November. Tourists tend to stay away during those times, but mountain gorillas are always there.

Gorilla safari travel guide

Considered by many to be one of the most magnificent wildlife encounters in the world, our gorilla safaris travel guide attempts to capture why.

Where to see gorillas

Mountain and lowland gorillas exist across East and Central Africa. Rwanda and Uganda provide the best set ups in terms of permits, highly trained guides and accommodation.

Gorilla safari activities

Seeing gorillas in the mist may be the headline attraction, but with so many other safari activities to get involved in, it’s more like a festival.

Uganda gorilla trekking

Gorilla tracking in Uganda is the highlight of any trip to this equatorial nation, whose densely forested mountainsides shelter over half the world's mountain gorillas.

Rwanda gorilla safaris

Gorilla trekking through Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and Virunga Mountains is one of the world’s most sought after wildlife experiences, and one of the greatest.

Central African Republic gorilla safaris

Track gorillas in CAR with indigenous Ba'aka guides, whose ancestral knowledge offers unsurpassed insights into the rainforest, its ecosystems, and what life is like here.

Combining African safaris with gorillas

Travel to East Africa and you can squeeze the maximum wildlife watching from a single holiday, combining a classic safari with tracking gorillas.

DRC gorilla safaris

Gorilla safaris in DRC are particularly special. This is the only country in the world inhabited by both mountain and lowland gorillas, and you can track both while on holiday here.

Gorilla safaris in the Republic of Congo

Gorilla safaris in Congo take you into the habitat of the critically endangered western lowland gorilla - a world of primary rainforest, swampy bais and narrow rivers.

Gorilla photography

Take a walk on the wild side with man's closest cousin on gorilla photography holidays. Getting up close with these powerful yet gentle apes is an unforgettable experience.

Chimpanzee watching

Seeing chimpanzees in the wild is an exciting experience. We explain all you need to know about seeing chimps in Uganda, from permit fees to packing tips.

Gorilla safari advice

We represent some of the world's top gorilla safari experts. They have done these treks over and over and are totally committed to conservation and responsible tourism.

Responsible gorilla safaris

As with all the most successful conservation movements, the protection of people, their lands, rights and lifestyles plays a vital role in the protection of gorillas.