Great Apes
98%. That’s how much of our DNA we share with these incredible apes. These encounters will forever be etched in my memory and I’m proud to have captured some truly special moments in the forest.
Gorillas in the mist
All morning you have been moving, following your tracker who carefully traces the steps of gorillas who have been there not long before. Carefully traversing this wild terrain, relatively untouched and surprisingly open, after a few hours you find them. It’s been a hard trek, but suddenly you forget that as you encounter these wild, but habituated, creatures playing, grooming and eating in their natural environment
A lowland gorilla safari doesn’t stop there, there are also opportunities to enjoy pirogue rides, net hunt with the local Ba’Aka people, track mangabey monkeys and watch for shy forest elephants in the bais.
A gorilla trek starts at a central point at the crack of dawn where groups based on fitness are being formed. Groups never exceed 8 people. Elderly people tend to do the easy trek which will guarantee seeing gorillas within an hours walk. A second category will walk up till 2 to 3 hours before seeing a group and the most fit people can walk till 5 hours before seeing them. From the moment you first spot a gorilla on your trek, you have exactely one hour to spend with the gorillas and make images befor you have to go. These strict rules are implemented in all countries who do gorilla trekkings. So be prepared.
Gorilla trekking can be done by anyone who is over 15 years of age. We provide safe and tailored treks in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo that will cater for all age groups.
A great ape safari normally last 3 to 4 days and includes one or two gorilla permits – depending on budget.
Need to know
- Lowland gorillas are endangered, with a maximum of 90,000 individuals in the wild left through logging and deforestation.
- Subspecies lives in a range of forests covering Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Nigeria and DRC.
- Lowland gorillas can reach a height of 5 foot, 6 inches when standing.
HIGHLIGHTS
Rwanda - Kwita Izinga
Kwita Izina is modelled off a centuries old tradition in which Rwandans name their children in the presence of family and friends. In 2005, Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in what has become a global celebration of nature. By giving a name to these majestic animals, we give them a value they undoubtedly deserve.
The ceremony is an opportunity to thank the communities that live around Volcanoes National Park, our research partners, vets and the dedicated conservationists, rangers and trackers who protect the gorillas. Over the last 15 years, more than 300 mountain gorillas have been named.
This year, Arsenal first team players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hector Bellerin and Bernd Leno also joined the celebration by naming baby gorillas.
6 day Congo Gorilla Trek
Trek through the Marantaceae forests of the remote Odzala-Kokoua National Park, tracking the endangered western lowland gorillas that call this region home.
Venture into the depths of Odzala-Kokoua National Park, one of the oldest and most biodiverse national parks in Africa, to track the resident western lowland gorillas. Trekking through dense Marantaceae forests, you will have the opportunity for three encounters with the gorilla families of the park, and may also come across other wildlife such as forest elephant, forest buffalo and numerous other primate species. Staying in rustic camps in the heart of the rainforest, this is a truly wild experience.
WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY
- Track the western lowland gorillas of Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
- Embark on a boat safari down the Lekoli River observing the diverse fauna of the forest.
- Enjoy a night walk in the forest, looking out for elusive nocturnal creatures such as galagos and pottos.
- Stay in comfortable camps within the park, frequented by wildlife such as forest elephants.
8 day gorilla trek
Journey to the remote shorelines of Lake Tanganyika to explore the forests of Mahale Mountains National Park, accessible only by boat and home to approximately 1,000 chimpanzees. From here, head to Gombe Stream National Park, the smallest national park in Tanzania and the site of Jane Goodall’s world-famous research centre.
Follow in the footsteps of primatologist Jane Goodall on this immersive safari tracking the chimpanzees of western Tanzania. Head to the shores of Lake Tanganyika where you will explore the remote rainforests of Mahale Mountains National Park, home to one of the largest populations of habituated chimpanzees in Africa. Spend time observing these fascinating primates in their natural habitat before travelling to Gombe Stream, the smallest national park in Tanzania and home to Jane Goodall’s world-renowned research centre. Established in 1965, the ground-breaking research on chimpanzee behaviour conducted at this centre is still ongoing, and has been a key factor in protecting the chimps that call this forest home.
WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP EXTRAORDINARY
- Track the habituated chimpanzees of Mahale Mountains National Park.
- Stay in comfortable camps on the sandy shorelines of Lake Tanganyika, the longest lake in the world.
- Discover the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park, the subjects of Jane Goodall’s research.
- Learn about chimpanzee behaviour and social structure from expert guides.
Some of our favorite Great Ape lodges
MAP
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Contact us if you’re ready to book your safari or to get additional information.