Best Places to See Gorillas in Africa -guide to captivating destinations to see silverback gorillas. Gorillas are one of the most spectacular creatures in the world, and getting up close and personal with them in the wild is an unforgettable experience that many wildlife enthusiasts dream of.

Known for being the Earth’s largest Primates, gorillas boast impressive strength and social complexity. They also live in tightly-knit groups known as “troops” or “families”, typically comprising 5-30 individuals. Thanks to their massive bodies (weighing between 176 and 500 pounds), an adult gorilla can consume up to 30 kg of plants daily.

Fortunately, there are several places around Africa where you can witness these majestic Giant Apes in their natural habitat. Are there silverback gorillas in Africa? Where can I see silverback gorillas in the wild in Africa? Are these among the many questions you have always asked without answers. Well, in this guide, we explore some of the best places to see gorillas in the wild in Africa, from the lush forests of Uganda to the bamboo forests of Rwanda.

Whether you are an avid wildlife photographer, a primate enthusiast, or simply yearning for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, these spectacular gorilla safari destinations provide unforgettable opportunities to meet face-to-face with the majestic creatures in the East-Central African forests. So, let us dive in and find out where to see the incredible gorillas in Africa.

Best places to see gorillas in the wild in Uganda?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was declared a National Park in 1992 and, since 1993, has been widely considered to be one of the best places to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

With a relatively small footprint of 33100 hectares, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is certainly one of the smallest National Parks in Uganda. And while you might think a small Protected Area gives you a lower chance of getting up close and personal with the Giant Apes, quite the opposite is true. Bwindi is home to the highest concentration of these majestic creatures, with about 480 of the 1080 mountain gorillas, hence making it one of the most reliable places to see them in the wild.

This Park is accessible within an eight to nine-hour drive from Kampala/Entebbe or a quick one-hour flight from Entebbe International Airport, plus a two-hour drive from the Airstrip to the Park.

With a gorilla permit going for $800 per person, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a relatively cheaper location for getting up close and personal with the Giant Apes in their natural habitats. You will have access to one of the 25 habituated gorilla families found in four trekking sectors/regions (Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo).

In addition to mountain gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is also home to a variety of other wildlife species, including chimpanzees, forest elephants, giant forest hogs, side-striped jackals, and over 350 bird species.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to see gorillas

Mgahinga is one of the best places to see gorillas in Africa. Located in Kisoro, Uganda, Mgahinga is one of the top places to explore mountain gorillas. The presence of gorillas in Mgahinga makes it one of the best Uganda gorilla trekking tours and safari destinations.

best places to see gorillas in Africa

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park, located in the Northern Province of Rwanda, is another wonderful place to see gorillas in Africa. With its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush rainforests, and bamboo forests, the Protected Area provides the perfect natural habitat for the mountain gorillas and is a must-visit safari destination for anyone yearning to experience the best of the Virunga ecosystem’s natural beauty.

While seeing the majestic creatures in the wild is never guaranteed, the 16000-hectare Volcanoes National Park offers one of the best opportunities on Earth to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. There are over 35% of the World’s population of mountain gorillas in the Park, according to the most recent count in 2018, but this number is thought to have increased still further by 2025.

Of all the four mountain gorilla natural habitats, Volcanoes National Park is the easiest to access, with just 3 3-hour drive from Kigali City/International Airport. This convenience, combined with the price of gorilla permits ($1500 per person) and close proximity to upmarket accommodations boasting top-level amenities, makes Volcanoes National Park the best place for luxury gorilla trekking experiences.

Suggested Gorilla Trekking Tours & Safari Packages to Book

Best places to see gorillas in the wild in Congo

Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Found in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park is one of the most well-known places to see the Eastern lowland gorillas (the largest gorilla subspecies), which are only found in this country. Spread over an area of nearly 600,000 hectares, the Protected Area is home to over 400 of the 6000 Eastern lowland gorillas still left on Earth. This is a testament to the Park and country’s commitment to the conservation of these Great Apes and their natural habitats.

With gorilla permits costing $400 per person, you have access to one of the 5 habituated gorilla families, with an opportunity to learn about these Giant Apes, considered the largest gorilla subspecies to ever have lived.

Virunga National Park -One of the best places to see gorillas in Africa

The Virunga National Park features among the best places to see gorillas in Africa. Virunga is an ideal location to visit for a close encounter with mountain gorillas in Congo. But gorilla trekking tours in Congo are often disrupted by the civil wars . Fortunately, efforts have been invested to restore the security of Eastern Congo and enhance countrywide peace. First, before you travel to the Virunga National Park, prior research should be conducted to be sure of its safety status.

Odzala-Kokoua National Park, the Republic of the Congo (or Congo-Brazzaville)

Covering an area of 13,546 square kilometers and in the heart of the Congo Basin (the Earth’s second-largest rainforest), Odzala-Kokoua National Park is an important sanctuary for the critically endangered western lowland gorillas in the wild.

The Park is home to close to 7600 western lowland gorillas, which increases the chances of spotting them amongst the dense rainforest, especially when you track one of the two habituated gorilla families. With this high population of gorillas, this Protected Area claims the crown of having the largest western lowland gorilla population on this list.

Visitors to Odzala-Kokoua National Park can undertake guided walks led by expert guides through one of the forest trails to search for the Giant Apes and witness intimate details of their daily routines. Gorilla treks start from Camp and are done in small groups of four visitors to provide more intimate encounters.

Beyond the western lowland gorillas, this Protected Area is a haven to other noteworthy primate species that include De Brazza’s monkeys, Black and white Colobus monkeys, along with other species such as forest-adapted hyenas, forest elephants, Bongos, and over 440 bird species.

Best place to see gorillas in Central African Republic

Dzanga-Sangha National Park, Central African Republic

Dzanga-Sangha National Park, located in the southwestern part of the Central African Republic, is home to around 2000 western lowland gorillas, making it one of the largest populations of these Giant Apes in the World.

There are three habituated gorilla families here, and Dzanga-Sangha National Park has made crucial efforts towards the conservation of these majestic creatures and their natural habitat, including habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, and community-based conservation programs.

Apart from the western lowland gorillas, Dzanga-Sangha National Park is a haven to a diverse range of animals, including forest elephants, forest buffaloes, Agile Mangabey, African golden cats, African civets, Sitatunga, Bongos, wild pigs, Red river hogs, and over 379 bird species (that include the endemic Dzanga robin, egrets, and the rare Hartlaub’s ducks among others).

Best time to see gorillas in Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, & Congo)

You are planning on seeing the gorillas in the rainforests of Africa, so expect any time to be hot, humid, and most importantly, wet. However, regardless of destination, the dry season is the best time to see these Giant Apes. This is because the forest trails are very accessible, thanks to the reduced rainfall levels.

In most of these countries, the months of March to May, and November mark the wet season, and as such, expect a lot of rain. The forest trails will become muddy and slippery, making it more challenging to navigate the rainforest while searching for the gorillas.

It is important to remember that, regardless of the season, gorilla sightings are never guaranteed, as these are wild animals that freely roam their large territories. However, with patience and expertise of experienced trackers and Ranger guides, your chances of getting up close and personal with these Giant Apes in the wild are greatly increased.

Whether you choose to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Dzanga-Sangha National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, or Volcanoes National Park, all of these safari destinations provide phenomenal opportunities to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, depending on which subspecies you are looking for.