1 on Map
Those who have spent time in the company of our close relatives – the magnificent Mountain Gorillas will tell you what a memorable, bucket list experience, it was. Mountain gorillas share 97% of their DNA with humans, so it is no surprise that they behave in such a human like way. What is surprising is how relaxed they are in the company of humans, which makes it such a joy to be with them as they go about their day.
By the late 1970’s there were as few as 230 recorded mountain gorillas on the planet and extinction seemed a very real possibility. However due to conservation and tourism the number of mountain gorillas is on the rise and there are currently just over 1,000 individuals! In fact, tourists who visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park not only help fund the protection of mountain gorillas, but as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is usually highly profitable, they also help protect the other national parks and wildlife reserves in Uganda as this money can be spent on paying rangers in less profitable parks.
Mountain gorillas only exist in Uganda, DRC and Rwanda. DRC is currently too dangerous to visit and Rwanda is currently charging more than double for the same experience. Uganda has an array of incredible locations where it is safe to trek and be with habituated Mountain Gorillas in the wild.
David Attenborough gives his perspective on mountain gorillas – HERE
Additional activities
Nature walks.
Birding walks (Ruhija).
Batwa Forest experience.
Gorilla Tracking – $700pp (1 hour spent with gorillas).
Gorilla Habituation Experience – $1,500 (4 hours spent with gorillas).
Minimum age 15 years.