The best places in the world to see gorillas in the wild

Notice gorillas in the wild It’s one of those experiences that confronts you with something very similar to a miracle. Not only because there are just over a thousand left in the world, but because to get there, you have to walk for hours through dense jungles, listen to the rustling of leaves, follow the trail of the rangers and pray – if anything is to be believed – that the assigned family hasn’t moved too much. He gorilla trekkingoften cited in tourist brochures, is in reality a brief, settled and profoundly transformative encounter. For decades, Uganda and Rwanda have been the two countries that have made this model a real conservation tool: one that pays for a permit to see gorillas directly finances their protection. And yes, it works.

Below, the best places in the world to experience it with guarantees, respect and safety.

Uganda: the heart of gorilla trekking

Uganda is, for many naturalists, the most complete country in East Africa. And much of this fame is due to his key role in the gorilla trekking. Inside Bwindi Impenetrable National Parkdeclared a World Heritage Site, is home to approximately half of all mountain gorillas on the planet. 13 regular families are there, making Uganda one of the most accessible destinations to observe gorillas in the wild without compromising your well-being.

Access is not easy: the vegetation lives up to its name, and the walks are generally more demanding than in Rwanda. However, the reward is immense. Rangers guide each group of eight people until they find their assigned family, a process that can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. When the encounter takes place, time stops: these 60 minutes maximum with them – eating sprouts, playing, climbing or resting – are one of the most intimate experiences a traveler can have in nature.

Uganda also allows you to combine the trip with other activities: chimpanzees in Kibale, sailing among hippos on the Victoria Nile or the power of Murchison Falls. And although nothing eclipses the feeling of see gorillas In a forest that appears to have remained unchanged for thousands of years, white rhinos are another great ally of Uganda – a must-stop for anyone who wants to understand the origins of poaching and its danger of extinction:

Rwanda: the most comfortable destination… and also the most expensive

Rwanda positions itself as the “premium” destination for gorilla trekking. Inside Volcanoes National Parkheadquarters of the legendary work of Dian Fossey, there are 10 regular families and logistics more agile than anywhere else on the continent. The trails are less steep, the vegetation lighter and the light more favorable for those traveling with a camera in hand.

The price of the permit – $1,500 per person – is the highest in Africa, but that same figure funds conservation and prevents overpopulation. The country is committed to low-impact tourism and high environmental performance, and the results are visible: the mountain gorilla population is slowly increasing, an outcome almost unthinkable decades ago.

Here as in Uganda, the experience lasts a strict hour and is accompanied by specialized rangers who explain behaviors, hierarchies and basic rules: keep your distance, do not use flash, avoid sudden gestures, do not imitate sounds and remain silent. Necessary rules so that the meeting respects those who really matter: the gorillas themselves.

Essential tips for gorilla trekking responsible

Between the two countries, regulations are similar and seek to protect both animals and visitors. To make the experience respectful, it is worth remembering a few key points:

By following these guidelines, the impact on primates is minimized and the conservation model, one of the most successful in the world, is kept in balance.