Where do gorillas live? | Gorilla habitat
Wondering where Gorillas live? Yes, these are wild primates and they live in the jungle tropical forests of Africa, where dense vegetation and a warm climate create an ideal habitat.
These forests range from lowland regions to mountainous areas, providing different environments for gorilla subspecies.
Not all tropical forests landscape is appropriate for all gorilla subspecies for example, the eastern mountain gorillas only live in the mountains Virunga ranges shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Besides living in the wild, gorillas live in groups (also referred to as troop) or gorilla family of about 5-30 members, in some cases a single troop may have up to 50 members. Each gorilla family is led by a dominant alpha male – the silverback.
Adult mountain gorilla nest in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Where do gorillas sleep? Do gorillas have nests?
You guessed it right! Just like every great ape species including humans, chimpanzees and bonobos, gorillas sleep in nests too.
Gorillas nest every day and rarely sleep in the same nest twice.
While mountain gorillas like those of Bwindi, Virunga & Volcanoes make their nests almost exclusively on the ground, other gorilla subspecies nest high on the treetops to avoid predators such as lions.
On average, gorillas move less than 2 kilometers a day nonetheless, they still make new nests everyday however close the distance is from the previous nest
Gorilla fancy nest building usually take about 5 minutes every day and they use different vegetation including leaves, stems, tree branches and part of bushes as mattresses.
These nests are usually circular. Just to rest during day, after feeding younger gorillas have been seen making nests.
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14 Days
Private
14-Day Uganda, Congo & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking & Wildlife Safari
from
$ 4900
per personGorilla Habitats by Subspecies
Gorillas are divided into four subspecies; each live in differently unique habitat;
Mountain Gorillas: Considered the most exciting sub species of gorillas and like by majority of guests, the mountain gorillas can be found in the Virunga range of Mountains.
Precisely, mountain gorillas can be visited in Uganda’s Bwindi & Mgahinga Gorilla National parks, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park and Virunga national park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mountain gorillas live at higher altitudes between 2,200 and 4,300 meters. Mountain gorillas’ habitat includes bamboo forests and montane vegetation.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas (Grauer’s Gorillas): This subspecies of gorillas live in lowland and sub montane forests of eastern DRC. Best place to visit Eastern Lowland gorillas is the Kahuzi-Biega National park.
Found at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,900 meters above sea level, they prefer areas rich in herbaceous plants and vines.
Western Lowland Gorillas: They can be found in the tropical forests of Central and West Africa, including Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea.
Western lowland gorillas thrive in relatively lower altitude forests with abundant fruit trees. Other are seen too often inhabit swampy areas and secondary forests.
Cross River Gorillas: Exclusively found in the Nigeria’s Cross River National park, they occupy a small region along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
Live in hilly forests at elevations of 150 to 1,600 meters. Cross River gorillas are the rarest and most endangered subspecies.
sleeping gorilla in the nest
What Makes Each Habitat Unique?
Mountain gorillas rely on bamboo, herbs, and shrubs available year-round. Their high-altitude environment offers plenty of food in concentrated patches, supporting larger groups.
Eastern lowland gorillas prefer forests with vines and shrubs, which provide enough food for smaller groups.
Western lowland gorillas eat mainly fruit. Their forests are rich in fruit trees, but the scattered food sources limit group sizes.
Cross River gorillas occupy remote and rugged terrain, which offers them safety from human activity.
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Tips for a successful Gorilla Trek
After knowing where the gorillas live, now you want to plan a visit to them however, you need to keep the following for a successful gorilla trekking;
Ensure you have your gorilla trekking permit purchased at least 3 months in advance and seek recommendation for the sector to track from, to ensure optimum satisfactions depending on your expectations.
It may be appropriate to consider gorilla trekking plus a couple of other activities such as local community encounter.
During the trek in the muddy and slippery jungle forest, you should wear comfortable, long-sleeved clothing to protect yourself from termites, ants and other plants from your skin.
Comfortable hiking shoes is definitely mandatory for a successful gorilla trek. If you do not have, get In touch and let’s have a pair hired for you.
When you book with us, we shall share with you an in depth gorilla trekking packing list however, if you intend to proceed otherwise, plan to carry plenty of water and a light snack for the hike.
During the hike, follow your guide’s instructions and maintain a respectful distance from the gorillas. You’ll be safe this way.
If you have much luggage that you must go for the hike with, lessen the load by hiring the service of a porter to carry your luggage for a small fee.
Do not burden or provoke the gorillas, the very best way to do that is by keeping total silence when in the presence of these gentle giants.
When with the gorillas, we know you need to take as many pictures and videos as possible but do this without flashes. This may end up provoking these wild giants – this is definitely not the move you want to initiate.
Ready for Your Gorilla Safari?
Compared to many exciting adventure experiences – even for the most adventurous guests, gorilla trekking is considered incomparable and indeed a life-changing experience, offering you a chance to observe these incredible primates in their natural habitat.
Book your gorilla safari today with Friendly Gorillas Safaris for an unforgettable adventure in any of the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda, Rwanda, or the DRC.
When you go gorilla trekking with us, you support create an impact in the community we work in. Part of your money goes to support a local orphan in the community we operate.
You aren’t just visiting gorillas but, also transforming lives through a visit with Friendly gorillas.
Anthony N
Anthony is a former Software Engineer tuned Safari Curator Enthusiast.
Combining technical expertise with creativity, he excels in crafting destination guides, cultural insights, and tech-enhanced travel content.
Believing in the transformative power of travel, Anthony inspires responsible travel and sustainability.
Featured in top travel publications and known for his workshops, he mentors aspiring creators while guiding audiences on authentic and meaningful journeys.
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