Mountain gorillas can only survive in the wild, so trekking into their native forests is your only chance to catch a peek.
Sitting in silence on the cold ground of a Ugandan forest for 60 minutes might be one of life's greatest privileges. There are fewer than 900 mountain gorillas in existence, and gorilla trekking provides a rare opportunity to observe the everyday interactions of these gentle, mysterious primates.
Mountain gorillas only exist in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park's dense vegetation and the dormant volcanic Virunga mountain range that stretches across Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park, Uganda's Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In 1981, environmentalists estimated there were only 254 mountain gorillas left in the world, but the small population is rising slowly thanks to intense international conservation efforts. Since these critically endangered creatures can't survive in captivity, the only way to see them is by trekking up to their natural habitat: misty cloud forests that can reach altitudes of 14,763 feet.
You'll Be Where Half the World's Mountain Gorillas Live.
Uganda has two gorilla trekking spots: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorillas don't mind political borders, so populations across the Virungas are relatively fluid. Uganda has an edge, however, since Bwindi alone is home to half of the world's mountain gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (also called "The Place of Darkness" due to its dense treetops) is an ancient, montane, and lowland forest spanning 128 square miles. The region was named a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its incredible biodiversity and the many endangered species that call it home.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park accounts for 13 square miles of the larger Virunga habitat, stretching 168 square miles into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The national park includes three of the eight major Virunga peaks: Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabyinyo.
You Can Fight Habitat Destruction by Supporting Community Enrichment.
Habitat destruction is the main threat to mountain gorillas. Communities around the parks are heavily populated, and residents have traditionally used the land around national park boundaries for farming or logging.
Since tourism is now Uganda's most lucrative industry, and most tourists come to see the mountain gorillas, trekkers are encouraged to seek ways to give back to the communities they visit. One popular option is to hire a porter, who is always a resident and occasionally a reformed poacher. The landscape within the parks is unpredictable and difficult; porters help guide trekkers through river crossings and up steep, muddy inclines.
Another option is to participate in community-led cultural initiatives. The Bwindi Bar trains disenfranchised young adults in hospitality through rigorous classes and work experience in Bwindi village. Around Mgahinga, elders of the Batwa tribe lead visitors on a forest tour along the Batwa Trail, explaining how their self-sufficient, forest-dwelling tribe traditionally used medicinal plants.
You'll Find More Affordable Trekking Permits.
There are strict regulations in place to make sure the gorillas stay healthy and wild—starting with the gorilla trekking permit process. Daily viewings of each gorilla group are extremely limited, so visitors should apply well before their desired dates.