Ever since the civil war that tore apart what was once known as the Republic of Congo, travel to mountain gorillas in the Great Lakes Region of eastern Zaire has been difficult. The eastern side of the country, where the mountain gorillas live, remains plagued by armed groups that have taken control of much of the province. Since July, 2021, more than twenty-two people have died in separate attacks on the gorilla population in the Garamba national park in the north. The area has been closed off to tourists and all flights to the area are suspended.
A huge portion of the cost of travel to mountain gorillas in the Great Lakes comes from the cost of airfare and living expenses. While it’s possible to get a cheap flight to Dongo, the capital town of the Republic of Congo, the quality of the service and the safety conditions remain questionable. The travel agency I use for my vacations often charges hundreds of dollars for an uncomfortable airplane ride and terrible service. My friends who travel to the gorillas each summer do have better luck with agencies that offer flights from Kigali to Mombasa. For a price that they estimate is less than ten thousand dollars, they are offered comfortable seats, well maintained planes and a variety of transportation options, including four-wheel drive vehicles. The best part is that all of their safari tours, whether scheduled for two days or six weeks, include accommodation and entry fees.
Some people travel to the country’s central zone, which is home to the world’s second-greatest mountain gorilla, the mountain Gorilla. In July, 2021, after a sixteen-year-long absence, this species became extinct in the country. There are only about thirty-five of these mountain gorillas left, and they are protected. The parks and sanctuaries are still being developed, and visitors can’t walk into the forest to see them. Most people who come to see the gorillas in the park don’t even know they exist.
Traveling to Mountain Gorillas may seem like an extreme vacation choice, but it is actually the perfect gateway to the eastern portion of the Great Barrier Reef. Many first-time tourists who travel to Australia and the Indian Ocean in search of rare animals, insects and plants never think to consider the possibility that they may find the same species that they are looking for closer to home. The same holds true for those seeking a thrilling trip to Africa and the Gorillas. Mombasa is home to several lodges and camps where tourists can go to explore the mountain gorillas, as well as, the surrounding rainforest. It’s a great place to travel to, and the price of the flights to Mountain Gorillas from Sydney to Mombasa are even cheaper than you will find flying to Australia itself.
If you want to be able to protect this critically endangered species, your best option is to get a permit to travel to Mountain Gorillas. This permits allow you to monitor the gorilla populations in the area and help authorities to protect them from poachers. In addition to this, it is important that you do your own research on the behavior of these majestic creatures before you begin planning your trip to the mountain gorillas. You can do this by reading books, watching videos, or asking the experts. No matter how much time you spend researching, however, you will never know for sure what to expect once you are sitting up high in the air, looking directly at a group of curious mountain gorillas.
Your best option for a great adventure is to use the services of a reputable company that specializes in gorilla tracking. Not only will they arrange all of your travel and accommodation, but they will also ensure that you have the right guide on your trip. Once you are at the park, you will have the opportunity to observe the gorillas in their natural habitat. There, you will be given the opportunity to track one of these incredible creatures by using the services of a professional tour guide, who will introduce you to the tracking procedures and offer you personal, guided viewing opportunities.
