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Where to see gorillas in Africa Where to see gorillas in Africa, Gorillas are arguably the most fascinating apes in the natural wilderness. They are large, powerful, but very gentle, and organized creatures. Gorillas are special apes that behave like humans and share  97% of human DNA. Gorillas are endemic to Africa mainly in the East, central, and sub-Saharan African forests. There are two main gorilla species, the western gorillas and the eastern gorillas. The western gorillas are further divided into the Cross-river gorillas and the Western lowland gorillas.  The eastern gorillas are divided into the Eastern lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas. Gorillas are herbivores and mainly feed on vegetation. They mainly feed on bamboo shoots, tree stems/bark, fruits, and rarely on termites. Gorillas live in small groups known as families. Each family comprises the dominant Silverback as the leader, females, and their siblings. The main role of the dominant silverback is to watch over, protect his family, and determine where to feed and rest. The overall population of gorillas has reduced significantly in the last few decades. Most of the species of gorillas are listed as critically endangered or threatened due to hunting, diseases, war/instability, animal trafficking, and habitat loss (due to mineral exploitation). Protecting these great apes from extinction should be a collaborative effort involving governments and wildlife conservation Agencies from countries where these animals find refuge. Protecting the primates enhanced through stopping the illegal trade of baby gorillas, stopping forest encroachment, and doing away with poaching. The local community should also be involved in the conservation efforts through collective awareness for the best environmental protection. Best places to see gorillas in Africa Mountain gorillas always spend most of their lifetime in high altitudinal areas of 2200- 4300 meters above sea level. Their natural habitats are Uganda, Rwanda, and The Democratic Republic of Congo. DRC has both mountain and eastern lowland gorillas. The cross-river gorillas and western gorillas can be found in countries like Angola, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Central African Republic,  and Congo Brazzaville. Though most travelers visit Uganda Rwanda, and DRC, West Africa has more amazing adventures if one can bear with the discomfort and traveling longer distances. Guided gorilla treks to any of the above countries are equally rewarding and worth the cost. Where to see gorillas in Uganda. Uganda is one of the best places to see mountain gorillas. Half of the overall population of mountain gorillas are found in Uganda and in two national parks –Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.  Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda, about 9-10 hours’ drive from Entebbe or Kampala and 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali in Rwanda. This park was established in 1991 and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. It covers 160 sq. km and is largely composed of lush tropical rainforest. In comparison to other gorilla destinations, Bwindi is home to the largest number of gorilla population in Africa with approximately 500 mountain gorillas. Tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is conducted in any of the four sectors that is; Ruhija in the East, Buhoma in the North, Nkuringo, and Rushaga in the South. All these sectors have different gorilla families but whichever region you choose for tracking, the experience is equally rewarding. This park has a total of  21 habituated gorilla families which provides travellers a choice to carry out their expedition. Buhoma region is comprised Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare, Binyindo, and Rushegura; Ruhija region consists of Mukiza, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguriro Nkuringo region has Christmas, Nkuringo, Bushaho and Posho family; Rushaga region features gorilla families such as Bweza, Bikingi, Mucunguzi, Kahungye, Nshongi, Kutu, Busingye and Mishaya. Uganda is the only country where one can participate in the gorilla habituation experience that provides an opportunity to observe the primates for  4 hours compared to standard gorilla trekking where tourists are only allowed one hour with a gorilla group. The chances of seeing mountain gorillas in Uganda are very high that’s why many tourists even prefer tracking in Uganda but travelling from Rwanda and the permit cost is only $800 which is affordable by even budget travellers. Mgahinga National Park This is the second-best place to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda. This park is such a remarkable destination to visit especially if you are interested in less crowds because it has one habituated gorilla family (Nyakagezi). Mgahinga National Park too lies in the southwestern part of Uganda and is part if the Virunga ranges that are shared by  Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. It was founded in 1991 and covers 33 square kilometers.  Visitors to Mgahinga National Park begin their treks from Ntebeko Visitor Center after an early morning briefing and later start on the challenging but interesting hike to meet the gentle giant apes in their natural habitat. Where to see gorillas in Rwanda Rwanda is thought to be the most convenient place to track mountain gorillas in Africa. Rwanda well-developed tourism infrastructure as compared to her neighbours that offer the same services. Mountain gorillas in Rwanda are found in Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park is one of the legendary parks in Africa that was established in the 1960s and is home to over 30% of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world.  This is the place where the famous primatologist Dian Fossey established abase and put all her efforts on preservation and protection of mountain gorillas and their habitat. The Parc National des Volcans (PNV) is part of the Virunga Conservation Area and is home of five Virunga volcanoes: Sabinyo (3.674 m), Gahinga (3.474 m), Bisoke (3711 m), Muhabura (4.127 m), and the Karisimbi, the highest volcano with an altitude of 4.507 m. This park comprises 12 habituated gorilla families including, Kurira, Igisha, Amahoro, Umubano, Karisimbi, Sabinyo, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Agasha, Isimbi, Muhoza, and Titus gorilla families. All these families are open for daily tracking , trekkers are free to request for an easy,  medium, or hard trek depending on the […]

Golden Monkey Trekking in Volcanoes National Park Golden Monkey Tracking in Volcanoes National Park, Golden monkeys also known as  “celebes black macaques” are part of the Sykes monkey species (blue monkeys). Golden monkeys are some of the endangered primate species that are found in the mountainous forests of East and Central Africa particularly the Virunga ranges that are shared by Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were listed as endangered species along with the mountain gorillas on the International Union of Conservation of Nature(IUCN) and there are estimated to be 5000 individuals remaining in the world and these exist in the Virunga ranges. Golden monkeys are characterized by striking golden-orange fur, the legs and face have black fur with short tails. The only way that you can differentiate the males from the females is that the males have dark gold and black while the females are slightly pale and lighter. They are social animals and live in groups called troops.  Each troop consists of the dominant male, the females, and their offspring.  Golden monkeys are primarily herbivores and love feeding on bamboo shoots, leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers and this is why they are easily spotted in bamboo forest vegetation. At times they are seen feeding on termites, snails, and other small insects. Unlike gorillas that change nests daily, golden monkeys sleep in the same nest the full day, even if they move long distances as they search for food, they come back to the same place where they spent the night. Golden monkeys are particularly found in Mgahinga National Park in uganda, Kahuzi Biega National Park in DRC, and  Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.  So, as you visit these parks for gorilla expeditions, do not miss out on seeing  the attractive  beauty of the golden monkeys in these parks Golden monkey trekking  activity This is a full-day activity that begins with an early morning briefing from the park guides and rangers at the park headquarters. Participants are addressed on what they expect to find in the park jungles and how to conduct themselves in the presence of these charming apes.  After briefing, you are given a walking stick as the activity involves hiking through different terrain and altitudinal zones.  You are free to hire a porter to help carry your luggage. Golden monkey trekking is a bit easier than gorilla trekking as they can be spotted in a shorter time. this doesn’t mean that you will find them in the shortest distance possible. However, you must move steadily and quietly so that you don’t scare them. Set your cameras in the fastest shuttering shot because they usually jump from one tree to another. On interaction with the golden monkeys, you will be allowed to spend one hour then return to the park center.  There are many golden monkeys in Volcanoes National Park but only   2 families are inhabited, the largest family which comprises 100 members is mostly visited and most of them are found on Mount Sabinyo which is shared by the three countries. A golden monkey permit in the Volcanoes National Park costs $100 per person and is sold to persons of 12 years and above and one is advised to book in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments. The best time to visit Volcanoes National Park for golden monkey trekking should be the dry season in June to August and December to February. This is because the tracking trails are always dry and passable. The vegetation is not fully grown which enables quick sight of the monkeys and photography of the apes is easier. Other places where to find golden monkeys in Rwanda In Gishwati Mukura National Park, a newly established park that comprises two forests, Gishwati and Mukura. Golden monkeys have been discovered in this park  but haven’t been opened for trekking In Nyungwe Forest National Park, which is popularly known as a habitat for chimpanzees, golden monkeys have been spotted there but the golden monkey trekking activity has not yet started. You can only spot golden monkeys in this park while on nature walks or other primate trekking.