Trail the Gorillas in the Wild
Gorilla trekking is a once in a lifetime adventure that takes place in a few countries in Africa.
Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorilla trekking is carried out in only three countries that include Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. There are currently only about 1065 critically mountain gorillas remaining worldwide, and are distributed across
- the Virunga region with over 600 mountain gorillas (Mgahinga National Park of Uganda, Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo) and
- the incredible Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with about 480 of the mountain gorillas (almost half of the world’s populations of these creatures).
The Gorilla Trekking Experience
During tracking, you may be surprised with sightings of some other forest dwellers like monkeys, birds, mammal species including buffaloes, warthogs, antelopes among others. These great tropical rain forests are rich in flora and fauna – with many plants and butter fly species. Whatever species is found in the forest, mountain gorillas remains the star attraction in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Where to Go Mountain Gorilla Trekking
Gorillas trekking is known to be the major tourist activity in any country where Gorillas are found. Gorillas earn a lot of foreign exchange – in Rwanda, the Gorilla permit cost US$ 1500, Uganda at US$800 among others.
Meeting Gorillas in their natural habitat is a life time which everyone should enjoy before death. That is why the number of visitors moving for Gorilla trekking increase every day amidst high trekking cost/ expensive Gorilla permits, Air tickets, visas and accommodation costs among others.
The major trekking destinations include Bwindi Impenetrable National park, Mgahinga national park, Virunga national Park and Volcanoes National park among others.
Looking into the eyes of the Gorillas is memorable. Meeting gorillas in their natural environment enable trekkers to take photos and films up close. Such photos can be uploaded on websites, bill boards and so on hence promoting business.
Uganda
The fact that gorilla trekking in Uganda is conducted from two national parks, this makes the country worth adding on your bucket list for African safaris or visiting for a memorable gorilla trek. Mountain gorilla tracking is the most sought for activity for travelers to the renown Bwindi Forest located in the south western region of Kabale and Kanungu Districts Uganda. Today the park hosts nearly half of the remaining gorilla population in the world.
Where to find Mountain Gorillas
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The relatively small Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a cultural heritage and part of a larger ecosystem of the Virunga conservation area including two more adjacent parks in both Rwanda and Congo. In Gahinga slopes can be found a swamp filled – crater of about 180m wide and Muhavura the highest peak of Mount Mgahinga has a small crater lake about 36m wide at its summit The park can be accessed by road or air transport. Kisoro town at the foot of Mt Muhavura is about 540 km from Kampala and takes about 8 hours via Kabale on an excellent paved road surface. Public transport by bus is available on daily basis. Mgahinga is located 13 km from Kisoro town and can be accessed by public transport. Kisoro town can also be accessed by air by using the runway Airfield at Nyakabande.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Here is unique wildlife experience, biologically, the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of Africa’s richest forests, owing to its great age (over 25000 years) and an altitudinal range that spans 1400 metres. Not only the forest’s star attraction the mountain gorilla, but also much more attractions can be seen here including about 350 birds, 310 buttterflies, 200 trees, 51 reptiles, 88 moths, and 120 mammals including several other primates like chimpanzees, black and white colobus, blue monkeys , grey –cheeked mangabey, and L,Hoest’s monkey.
“Gorillas are not yet sufficiently advanced in evolutionary terms to have discovered the benefits of passports, currency declaration forms, and official bribery, and tend to wander backwards and forwards across the border as and when their beastly, primitive whim takes them.”
Rwanda
Mountain gorillas are the leading tourist attractions to Rwanda and have played a major role in contributing to the country’s foreign exchange, increasing the incomes of the local people directly involved in the activity for example guides, porters and trackers and most importantly ensuring tourists experiences and realization of their money value especially after the mountain gorilla encounters in the jungles.
Wondering about What to Pack for a Rwanda Gorilla Trek? If you are visiting Rwanda to see mountain gorillas, the following items should be considered a must-pack: waterproof daypack, hiking boots (waterproof), insect repellents, gardening gloves, gorilla permits, first aid kit, adequate snacks, bottled water, long sleeved shirt, long trousers/pants, sweater, rain jacket or raincoat, sunscreen, safari hat, sun glasses and many others.
Read More About
- Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking
- Cross River Gorilla Trekking
- Western Lowland Gorilla Trekking
Follow the Great Gorillas
The Great Gorillas is an art trail featuring life-size sculptures of gorillas around the streets, parks and open spaces of the English Riviera and Exeter, with a few surprises along the way.
Main Great Gorillas Trail
See 30 life-size sculptures of gorillas, along with 20 smaller sculptures designed and painted by schools in Devon and Somerset and a few surprises!
Download the Trail Map here, or pick one up from one of many outlets in Exeter or Torbay.
Win the chance to meet Paignton Zoo’s gorillas!
We encourage you to try to see as many of the Great Gorillas as you can. Our mobile site will help you to track them down. When you’ve spotted one, be sure to register you have by ‘checking in’. Anyone who checks in and spots them all will be entered into a draw to win a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Paignton Zoo’s (real) gorillas up close.
Register your details and get hunting!
The Great ‘Miniature’ Trail
It’s not just Paignton Zoo that’s celebrating a landmark in in 2013 – its 90th birthday. Babbacombe Model Village is 50 years old this year. To mark these two important birthdays they have teamed up to stage the unique Great Miniature Trail. Each of the life size Great Gorillas has been recreated in miniature to form their own trail in the Model Village. So while you’re in Babbacombe to spot the life-size gorillas, why not visit the Model Village to see their mini cousins?
Allow at least 2 hours for your visit. Trail can only be viewed during daylight.
The Great Gorilla Guest Ale Trail
Bays Brewery, in Paignton, is supporting the project by brewing a limited edition cask-only ale and Peter Salmon, from Bays is delighted to support such a good cause.
Bays Great Gorilla Ale is a well-balanced, easy-drinking golden ale at 4.7%, and will only be available to the public during the art trail.
We are delighted that J D Wetherspoon is supporting The Great Gorillas Project by not only selling the guest ale in selected pubs through South Devon, but they are making a generous donation to the Project per pint sold. The ale will also be available from the bars at both Living Coasts and Paignton Zoo.
Download the Great Gorilla Guest Ale Trail here: English Riviera Map – Exeter Map