What country in Africa has the most gorillas?
What country in Africa has the most gorillas? African nations housing gorillas draw numerous tourists biennially, providing them the chance to experience gorilla encounters during trekking safari tours. Gorillas are undoubtedly the most intriguing primate species globally. Gorillas are far larger and more formidable primates, yet they remain remarkably kind. Gorillas exhibit a significant resemblance to humans, sharing approximately 98% of their DNA with them.
Gorillas are only indigenous to Africa. There are only two species of gorillas: the western gorilla and the eastern gorilla. Western gorillas are categorized into two subspecies: the Cross River gorilla and the western lowland gorilla. Eastern gorillas are subdivided into two subspecies: mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas. Western gorillas constitute the most populous gorilla species globally, with a documented population exceeding 250,000 individuals. Eastern gorillas are considerably larger than western gorillas and possess darker, longer fur. Adult male gorillas can weigh up to 200 kilograms, indicating that they are indeed rather hefty and robust.
In which regions of Africa do gorillas inhabit? Where to see gorillas in Africa
What country in Africa has the most gorillas? Gorillas inhabit the vast woods of East and Central Africa. African nations that harbor gorillas include Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda. African gorilla safaris frequently involve gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda; however, other African nations, particularly in Western Africa, also provide exceptional and highly rewarding gorilla safaris. African nations housing gorillas, along with their respective species and subspecies, include:
Uganda
What country in Africa has the most gorillas: Uganda is unequivocally one of the premier locations to observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Uganda is privileged to have two gorilla sites from where tourists can encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorillas in Uganda can be observed on gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both situated in the southwestern region of Uganda near the Rwandan border. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over half of the global population of mountain gorillas, while the remainder resides in the Virunga Massifs, which include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Congo, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Travelers can observe mountain gorillas in Uganda year-round at any of the country’s gorilla locations. Travelers can only encounter habituated gorillas while gorilla trekking in Uganda, with approximately two semi-habituated gorilla families accessible for gorilla habituation experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Uganda hosts approximately 20 habituated gorilla families that travelers can walk to observe mountain gorillas in their natural environment. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park hosts approximately 19 habituated gorilla families for trekking safaris, whilst Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers only the Nyakagezi gorilla family for encounters during trekking. To encounter gorillas in Uganda, travelers must get gorilla licenses, priced at $800 for foreign non-residents, 600 dollars. for foreign residents, and ugx250,000 for East African citizens, per person per hike. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a traveler must pay $1500 per person for gorilla habituation sessions, allowing for up to 4 hours of interaction with the mountain gorillas.
Rwanda
What country in Africa has the most gorillas: Rwanda is one of the African countries having gorillas, and encourages tourists to encounter these spectacular mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the only gorilla destination in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is a magnificent rainforest environment that served as the base for the famed primatologist Dian Fossey, who spent time researching mountain gorillas and habituating them. Volcanoes National Park hosts mountain gorillas, and there are roughly 12 habituated gorilla families in Rwanda that travelers can encounter while gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. A gorilla permit in Rwanda is priced at $1500 per individual per expedition.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the African nations that hosts gorillas and permits gorilla safaris for travelers year-round. Congo is home to three taxa of gorillas: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park, Eastern lowland gorillas primarily in Kahuzi Biega National Park, where travelers can observe them during gorilla trekking, and western lowland gorillas located in the far western region of the Congo near the Madiakoko Mountains. Travelers can observe the mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas in Congo year-round, with a permit fee of $400 per individual per hike.
Cameroon
Cameroon is one of the African nations that hosts gorillas. Cameroon is a West African nation that is home to both western lowland gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas. The Cross River gorillas of Cameroon inhabit the region along the Nigeria-Cameroon border and are the most critically endangered of all gorilla species and subspecies, with approximately 250 individuals remaining globally. Cross River gorillas in Cameroon are unavailable for trekking and encounters; nevertheless, western lowland gorillas in Campo-Ma’an National Park can be experienced through gorilla trekking expeditions. The likelihood of sighting western lowland gorillas in Cameroon is, however, below 70%.
Nigeria
Nigeria is among the African nations that inhabit gorillas. Nigeria is home to the Cross River gorillas, distributed throughout a 2,900 square mile expanse encompassing Cross River National Park, Mbe Mountain, and Afi Mountain, rendering encounters with them quite challenging. The Cross River gorillas of Nigeria remain unhabituated, rendering them wild and unsuitable for gorilla trekking.
Central African Republic
What country in Africa has the most gorillas: The Central African Republic is one of the premier destinations for trekking western lowland gorillas among all African nations that host these primates. In the Central African Republic, Western lowland gorillas inhabit Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, where only one fully habituated gorilla family is accessible to travelers through gorilla trekking expeditions. Dzanga-Ndoki National Park is a densely forested area with limited illumination, rendering it challenging to capture quality photographs of the western lowland gorillas in the Central African Republic.
Congo-Brazzaville
Congo Brazzaville is home to western lowland gorillas, primarily located in Odzala National Park. Odzala National Park is home to over 22,000 western lowland gorillas, with only two habituated gorilla families available for tourism in the country. The optimal method to observe the western lowland gorillas in Odzala National Park is by residing in concealed enclosures and awaiting their emergence in open clearings referred to as Bai. Mbeli Bai is the most frequently observed clearing, hosting approximately 100 western lowland gorillas.
Congo Gabon
Gabon is an African nation that hosts gorillas and offers numerous opportunities for wildlife encounters. Gabon is home to western lowland gorillas, predominantly found in its national parks, with Moukalaba-Doudou National Park hosting the largest population of gorillas.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is home to the western lowland gorillas, located in Monte Alen National Park. Although gorilla tourism is not yet fully developed. Numerous trained locals perform daily excursions in the jungle, significantly increasing the likelihood of encountering various primates.
Angola
Angola is one of several African nations that host gorillas, specifically a population of western lowland gorillas located in the northern region, particularly within the Cabinda enclave adjacent to the Congo River. Gorilla tourism in Angola is underdeveloped.
Do gorillas inhabit Africa? Indeed, gorillas inhabit Africa. The aforementioned pertains to the African nations that harbor gorillas. Although most countries lack well-developed gorilla tourism, gorilla safaris in Africa can still occur in the few nations that host gorillas, such as Uganda, Rwanda, the Congo, and Cameroon, among others. Contact a reputable gorilla safari tour operator to experience an extraordinary gorilla safari in Africa, amidst the continent’s breathtaking natural splendor.