Gorilla Species in Africa

Book your Gorilla Species in Africa trekking safari with Gorilla Hurly Burly. Africa has two gorilla species, split into four subspecies, found across Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and Nigeria. Knowing where each species lives helps you pick the right destination and permit for your trek.

Types of Gorillas in Africa and Their Differences

Gorillas are the largest living apes in the world. There are two species: eastern gorillas and western gorillas. These species differ in body size, fur, and nostril shape.

• Western gorillas split into two subspecies: cross river gorillas and western lowland gorillas.
• Eastern gorillas split into mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas.

In total, there are four known gorilla subspecies in Africa.

Mountain Gorilla

Mountain gorillas live in forested mountain areas across the Virunga Mountains, which stretch through Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can find them in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Congo.

They live at altitudes of 1,000 to 4,000 meters above sea level and grow long, thick fur to handle the cold. Mountain gorillas are endangered due to habitat loss from human encroachment and poaching.

Eastern Lowland Gorilla

Also called Grauer’s gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas live in Kahuzi-Biega National Park in Congo’s South Kivu region. They are the largest gorilla subspecies and live in both lowland and mountain habitats.

They have shorter, brown hair compared to mountain gorillas and tend to behave in a calm, peaceful manner.

Cross River Gorilla

Cross river gorillas live in the forested mountains of Cameroon and Nigeria. They can weigh up to 200 kilograms and stand about 5 feet tall. Listed as endangered since 2006, only about 350 cross river gorillas remain in the wild, making them highly vulnerable to poaching and habitat loss.

Cross river gorillas are more aggressive and shy than other subspecies, which makes them difficult to study. They are not available for tourism in Cameroon or Nigeria.

Western Lowland Gorilla

Western lowland gorillas live in Central and West Africa, in countries including Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, Congo, and the Central African Republic. They are the most common gorilla subspecies, with a wild population of over 350,000. Some western lowland gorillas also live in zoos worldwide.

This subspecies is smaller in size compared to mountain and eastern lowland gorillas but lives across Africa’s largest forest regions.

Plan and Book Your Gorilla Trekking Safari

Gorilla trekking takes place in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can see mountain gorillas in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga National Parks, and eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.

Gorillas live in family groups led by a silverback and stay within specific forest and mountain territories. To trek them, you need a gorilla permit, and permits sell out fast, so book early.

Book your Gorilla Species in Africa trekking safari with Gorilla Hurly Burly today. Contact our team to check permit availability and start planning your trek.