The tropical rainforests of West Africa are where you'll find gorillas, chimps and many other primates. Track Gorillas in the Mist. See the endangered Mountain Gorilla.
Rwanda and Uganda are part of the green lungs of Africa. This is where the rolling eastern savannah meets the tropical West African rain forests. Population density is low; eco-tourism is top of the list and the local people are warm and welcoming. This is also the home of the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas.
Discovery Initiatives was encouraged by mountain gorilla wildlife agencies to run gorilla conservation support tours to the Virungas. The heart of the trip lies in the mists of the Virunga Volcanoes, with visits to conservation projects and local communities in both Uganda and Rwanda.
Discovery Initiative is an eco-tourism setup that believes their gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda offers a more holistic approach to mountain gorilla tourism in each area. The visitor’s participation in this tour helps directly to fund local conservation projects through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and offers the visitor not the usual one gorilla permit, but five potential opportunities to see these magnificent gorillas in their natural habitat.
Also operating in the mountains is Volcanoes Safaris. They offer an Eight Day Safari which starts and finishes in Kigali. This safari takes gorilla enthusiasts to three gorilla parks – PNV in Rwanda and Mgahinga and Bwindi in Uganda. It offers an opportunity to track gorillas four times, twice in PNV, once in Mgahinga/Nkuringo and once in Bwindi. On safari clients stay three nights at Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, two nights at Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Lodge and two nights at Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge. They also offer a range of tours.
Gorilla Tours, located in Kampala, Uganda is a member of the Association of Ugandan Tour Operators. They offer a few different tours in Uganda and Rwanda, with plenty of variables. Their website has good solid information for visitors. The rare Mountain Gorilla is found in the tropical rainforests of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. It is one of the many kinds of primates tourists will encounter on these so called Gorilla Tours or Gorilla Safaris.
Responsible Travel.com offers safari's to Gabon to see Lowland Mountain Gorillas
Note: Although gorilla trekking is not heavy physical exercise it does demand that the traveler is in good health and is reasonable fit. All these areas are close to the equator so it may be a lot warmer than many Westerners are used to. Remember to keep hydrated and use adequate sun and insect protection.
Selected African Vacation packages
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