Gorillas are the most intriguing primates in the world. They are large, powerful and gentle creatures. Gorillas are special creatures which behave like humans. The gorillas exist in mainly two species, that is, western gorillas and the eastern gorillas. The western gorillas are sub divided into two sub species- cross river gorillas and western low land gorillas. The eastern gorillas on the other hand are sub divided into two sub species- the eastern low land gorillas and the mountain gorillas.
Western low land gorillas have a population of over 200,000 individuals making them the most numerous of all gorilla species. The eastern low land gorillas similarly constitute above 7000 individuals. Mountain gorillas however comprise of about 1000 living individuals while cross river gorillas at the bottom curve make up over 250 individuals in the wild.
An Overview of the Gorilla Species
Mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas are endemic to only three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. These gentle apes live in two exclusive habitats; Bwindi impenetrable national park and the Virunga Massif. The mountain gorillas in the Virunga are jealously protected in three gazetted protected areas that are on national park status; Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eastern low land gorillas
This species of gorillas is also known as Grauer’s gorilla and is the largest of all the four sub species. Eastern low land gorilla sub species is endemic to Democratic Republic of Congo. Eastern low land gorillas are found in two national namely; Kahuzi Beiga national park and Maiko national park located in the eastern part of the country.
Western low land gorillas
The western low land gorilla has black to grayish or reddish- brown hair that covers the body except face, soles of hand and feet, and upper chest. The western low land gorillas are the most numerous in number species and can be found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. They are the only gorilla sub species kept in zoos with an exception on one eastern gorilla kept at Antwerp and a few mountain gorillas kept captive in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cross River Gorillas
Cross river gorillas are the most endangered of all African great apes with less than 300 individuals living in Nigeria- Afi Mountains and Cameroon- Mbe mountains. These gorillas differ from their nearest neighbors the western low land gorillas and eastern gorillas in terms of size. Cross river gorillas have smaller skulls, ears, palates and cranial vaults. They are without doubt the smallest gorilla species.
Like all gorillas cross river gorillas are very social. They live in smaller family groups with an average of 4 to 7 members. A few groups consist of close to 20 individuals although very rare. Each group is led by a dominant mature silver back whose role is to protect the females and off springs. They sleep in nests during nights which are either made on the ground or in trees. They feed on fruits, tree bark, herbs among others.
What are the top best gorilla safaris to book this year?
Mountain Gorilla Safaris
- Bwindi Impenetrable national park
Lying in the south western part of Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to roughly half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. The national park is best known for its thrilling mountain gorilla safaris in Africa with a total of 24 habituated mountain gorilla families. Guests to the park are free to track any of these gorilla families with a maximum of 8 individuals per gorilla group.
- Mgahinga gorilla national park
The relatively small Mgahinga gorilla national park is situated in the south western part of Uganda among the popular Virunga ranges. The park is located along the border between Uganda and Rwanda. Mgahinga gorilla national park is home to about 50 rare mountain gorilla species. Visitors to the park can enjoy mountain gorilla trekking.
Located in the Virunga Massif, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park covers 160 sq km where it encompasses five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains. The park neighbors Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla national park in Uganda. Volcanoes national park is home to the mountain gorilla species and 9 habituated gorilla families at the moment after the migration of Hirwa gorilla group to Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Home to the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas; Virunga national park is located in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo. Those seeking exceptional encounters, Virunga national park is home to plenty of wildlife especially mountain gorillas. The park covers 8090 sq km and it neighbours both Uganda and Rwanda. The park abounds with beautiful sights such as the two active volcanoes are located in the park- Mount Nyiragongo and Mount Nyamuragira.
Eastern Lowland gorilla safaris
- Kahuzi Beiga national park
Located in the eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo, Kahuzi Beiga National Park is the best places to track eastern low land gorillas. The park lies along Mount Kahuzi and Mount Beiga extinct volcanoes and is home to about 250 gorillas. The park has two families of habituated gorillas which can be tracked by visitors to the park. Gorilla permits to trek eastern low land gorillas cost 450 USD and tracking is done throughout the year although it’s advisable to do gorilla safaris during drier months. Eastern low land gorilla trekking is cheaper compared to mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda making it ideal for guests who prefer a pocket friendly option for gorilla safaris. Visitors are allowed one hour in the midst of the mighty apes.
This national park is located east in Democratic Republic of Congo and is the second Eastern low land gorilla destination. The park is located in central Democratic republic of Congo and sits on 10885 sq km. Although it one of the most remote areas, Maiko national park is home to about 30 eastern low land gorillas. The park rewards guests with the adventure to track the eastern low land gorillas. Gorilla trekking safaris are done normally though the security agencies find it wise to halt all tourist activities when the country is politically instable and resume during stability. When the country is instable, DRC government informs the world through Embassies of different countries so, tourists are advised to get guidelines from their travel partners before visiting DRC.
Western Lowland Gorilla Safaris
Loango is a true jewel of Africa’s western coast what some people have termed as ‘Africa’s last Eden’. The national park is situated in western Gabon sited on 1550 sq km. Loango national park offers extensive panoramas of viewing plenty of wildlife including the gorillas which are our area of focus in this article. The park has one habituated western low land gorilla group available for tourism. The park offers an enthralling opportunity of watching western low land gorillas in the wild. With the help of Pygmy trackers and a guide, the guests are led through small groups to track gorillas. Trekkers are allowed 1 hour and 30 minutes in the midst of the great apes.
Located in south eastern Cameroon, Lobeke national park is what I would call ‘Africa in its rawest form’. It is one of the many places where visitors can track western low land gorillas. The park is one of the destinations with high density of western low land gorillas in the whole of Africa. However, Lobeke national park is one of the most underrated wildlife habitats since gorilla safaris in the region are still at infancy stage and accessibility to the park by road difficult as well as viewing some gorillas.
- Dzanga – Ndoki national park
Dzanga- Ndoki national is located in south western extremity of Central African Republic. The park lies on 1143.26 sq km with two non-continuous sectors- Northern Dzanga sector and Southern Ndoki sector. Dzanga sector has the highest density of western low land gorillas ever recorded making it an ideal western low land gorilla trekking destination. However, due to cases of unrest and limited infrastructure in the park, fewer visitors trek the gorillas at the park.
Monte Alen national park is located near the centre of Equatorial Guinea with an area of 2000 sq km. The park lies on the foot slopes of Monte Alen and Monte Allen a small mountain range 1200m above sea level. Monte Alen National Park is home to about 3800 western low land gorillas. Gorilla trekking takes a longer trek with in Monte Alen slopes. Unfortunately, gorilla tracking in the region is in its infancy stage hence there are less chances of spotting the western low lang gorillas.
Cross River gorilla safaris
- Afi mountain wildlife sanctuary
Situated in Southern Nigeria, the sanctuary covers 104 sq km. The sanctuary is home to the rare cross river gorillas on the Afi wildlife drill. There are few chances of viewing the gorillas in this region however; the government is heavily investing in the activities to improve gorilla safaris.
- Cross river national park
Cross river national park is one of the richest areas of tropical rain forest in West Africa. The park is home to the endangered cross river gorilla species situated at the Okwangwo division. Although the parks give spectacular view of cross river gorillas, they are not famous destinations because of insecurity in the region and other factors.
In conclusion, having looked at several gorilla safaris, you should be at liberty to choose which one is more convenient for you.