Where to See Gorillas in Africa.

Imagine standing in the heart of an ancient rainforest, the air thick with mist and the sounds of the wild echoing through the trees. Then, through the dense foliage, you lock eyes with a creature whose DNA is nearly identical to your own. That’s the magic of seeing gorillas in Africa—an intimate, humbling, and unforgettable wildlife experience.

Gorillas are among the most iconic and awe‑inspiring of Earth’s great apes. Their intelligence, social complexity, gentleness mixed with power, and endangered status make Gorilla encounters deeply moving. But “seeing gorillas” isn’t a monolith different species/subspecies, different types of forest, different trekking intensities, different costs.

Where to See Gorillas in Africa.Types of Gorillas in Africa

Africa is home to two Gorilla species each with subspecies and they differ by habitat, behavior, and accessibility:

1.  Mountain Gorillas

Subspecies: Gorilla beringei beringei

Found in high-altitude montane forests in Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo. The most famous and most protected subspecies.

Only around 1,000 individuals remain, making encounters precious and tightly regulated.

2.  Eastern Lowland Gorillas (Grauer’s Gorillas)

Subspecies: Gorilla beringei graueri

Found only in DR Congo, particularly in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

Larger than Mountain Gorillas, and more elusive due to their remote habitat.

3.  Western Lowland Gorillas

Subspecies: Gorilla gorilla gorilla

Found in lowland rainforests across Gabon, Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic. Most numerous, but harder to track due to vast, dense habitats.

Where to See Gorillas: Top African Destinations

1.  Rwanda – Volcanoes National Park

Rwanda is arguably the most famous Gorilla Trekking destination in Africa. The Volcanoes National Park, located in the Virunga Mountains, is home to around a third of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas.

Experience: Trekking here is well-organized, with a focus on conservation and luxury tourism. The park is accessible within a 2–3 hour drive from Kigali, making it possible to trek gorillas on a short trip.

Permit cost: USD $1,500 per person.

Why visit: High success rates of sightings, short travel times, world-class lodges, and Rwanda’s annual gorilla naming ceremony (Kwita Izina).

2.  Uganda – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Uganda is another prime destination for Mountain Gorilla Trekking, offering more affordable permits than Rwanda and a slightly wilder experience.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: Known for its rugged terrain and dense rainforest, it is home to more than half of the world’s mountain gorillas. The park has several sectors (Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija), each with habituated families.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Smaller but equally rewarding, located in the Virunga range, sharing the gorilla habitat with Rwanda and DR Congo.

Permit cost: Around USD $800 per person.

Why visit: More trekking options, Gorilla habituation experience (up to 4 hours with gorillas), and the chance to combine with other attractions like chimpanzee tracking, safaris in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or Lake Bunyonyi.

3.  Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Virunga & Kahuzi-Biega National Parks

The DRC offers some of the most adventurous gorilla trekking experiences, ideal for travelers seeking less-crowded destinations.

Virunga National Park: Famous for mountain gorillas in the Congolese part of the Virunga Mountains. The park is stunning, with volcanic landscapes and fewer tourists compared to Rwanda and Uganda.

Kahuzi-Biega National Park: The only place in the world where you can see Eastern Lowland Gorillas, the largest gorilla subspecies.

Permit cost: Generally lower than Rwanda and Uganda (about USD $400–500).

Why visit: Unique gorilla experiences, fewer tourists, and the thrill of exploring one of Africa’s wildest frontiers. However, political instability and security concerns mean travelers must research carefully before visiting.

Where to See Gorillas in Africa.

4.  Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) – Odzala-Kokoua National Park

If you want to see Western Lowland Gorillas, the Republic of Congo is a top choice.

Odzala-Kokoua National Park: A remote rainforest reserve where visitors track lowland gorillas on foot and sometimes watch them from hides in forest clearings.

Experience: Trekking is different from mountain gorilla tracking — you’ll often follow researchers and spend time observing gorillas that have been part of habituation projects.

Why visit: An off-the-beaten-path adventure, pristine rainforest, and unique opportunities to combine gorilla tracking with birding and forest safaris.

  1. Central African Republic – Dzanga-Sangha Reserve

This is one of the most unique destinations to see Species: Western Lowland Gorilla.

Experience: The reserve is famous for its “Dzanga Bai,” a large forest clearing where wildlife gathers, offering exceptional viewing. Researchers have habituated gorilla groups here, giving tourists a rare chance to observe them in a remote wilderness.

Why visit: Remote, adventurous, and a chance to combine gorilla viewing with forest elephant encounters.

         6.  Gabon – Loango National Park

Gabon is another country where travelers can see Western Lowland Gorillas, often in combination with unique coastal ecosystems.

Loango National Park: Known as “Africa’s last Eden,” it combines rainforests, lagoons, and beaches where gorillas, elephants, and even surfing hippos coexist.

Experience: Gorilla tourism is still developing, but conservation projects have made great strides in habituating lowland gorillas for tourism.

Why visit: A truly wild and unique experience, with the chance to see gorillas alongside marine wildlife on the Atlantic coast.

Gorilla Trekking on a Weekend

How to Choose the Right Gorilla Destination

Here are some key factors to consider:

Budget

  • Rwanda = Premium ($1,500 permit) Uganda = Mid-range ($700 permit)
  • DR Congo = Budget ($400–$500 permit, but higher travel risk)

Trekking Difficulty

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and Uganda can be steep and slippery Western lowland gorillas require rainforest trekking, which is hot and humid Some areas require long hikes—be honest about your fitness

Travel Logistics

  • Rwanda is easiest to access
  • Uganda may require long drives or domestic flights
  • DRC and Republic of Congo are more remote and best for experienced travelers

Conservation Impact

All gorilla trekking fees contribute to conservation

Rwanda and Uganda have successful community-based tourism models DR Congo needs tourism more to fund its protection efforts

Conclusion

Gorilla trekking is one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife experiences. Whether it’s the misty mountains of Rwanda and Uganda, the volcanic landscapes of the DRC, or the lowland rainforests of Congo and Gabon, each destination offers a different perspective on these gentle giants. While

mountain gorillas attract the most attention, lowland gorillas provide equally fascinating encounters in less-traveled destinations. Wherever you go, your visit directly contributes to gorilla conservation and community development — making your journey both life-changing and impactful.