A Guide to Gorilla Safaris

Viewing Lowland Gorillas in the DRC, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Cameroon

By Anouk Zijlma, About.com Guide

Lowland Silverback Gorilla

Aaron Logan (CCL)

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Lowland gorillas are the gorillas you will see at zoos around the world. Although there are more lowland gorillas (current population about 50,000) than mountain gorillas, viewing them in their natural habitat is not much easier. Getting the gorillas habituated to humans proved difficult in areas where poaching was rife. There was some success in the Lossi Gorilla Sanctuary in the Republic of Congo but in 2003 almost the entire population was wiped out due to the ebola virus. Recent reports (August 2008) have shown a remarkable come back though with the finding of more than 100,000 Gorillas in the country. Gabon is proving to be an excellent upcoming destination to view lowland gorillas, still relatively remote but worth the trip.

Where Can You See Lowland Gorillas?

The Republic of Congo and the DRC

There are two parks in the Congo region where gorillas can be seen. The eastern lowland gorilla is much rarer than the western lowland gorilla and their numbers are depleting rapidly mainly due to poaching and armed conflict in the region. The eastern lowland gorilla can be seen at the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (in the DRC). This park appears to have suffered enormously from the armed conflict raging on and off in this region for years now. For more information on helping Kahuzi-Biega National Park see Born Free, a UK based international wildlife protection charity, and also the Kahuzi-Biega blog.

The Odzala National Park (in the Republic of Congo) is home to the densest population of the western lowland gorilla. The civil war situation in the DRC and the parks' proximity to Gabon makes it easier to get to from Gabon. It is the only park where you can see gorillas in the open grass. There are 5 tented camps dotted around the park some of which are only accessible by canoe. This is definitely a park you should visit with a tour group, just for ease of travel. A true safari experience if ever there was one.

Gabon

The Ivindo National Park is new and a good place to see lowland gorillas. It is quite undeveloped, but you can stay at the nearby Loango National Park. The gorillas are quite unsused to human contact here and therefore are quite accessible. The park is also home to some spectacular waterfalls.

Loango National Park boasts gorillas on the beach no less. This unique setting makes it a very attractive destination. There are several accommodation options including a lodge, bungalows and beach camps around the park.

For a recent travelogue on these two parks read this from the New York metro site.

Cameroon

There are two parks you can see lowland gorillas in Cameroon. The Korup National Park which covers a large tract of rainforest and the Lac Lobeke National Park. There is very little information for visitors to these parks, but check the Berggorilla website for up to date information about conservation in this area.

Lowland Gorilla Safari Tours

Safaris to see the lowland gorillas can be quite rough and strenuous, especially those that venture in to the Republic of Congo.

Steppes Discovery offers safaris to various National Parks in the Congo and CAR to see western lowland gorillas and forest elephants. UK based operator.
Baka Pygmy and lowland gorilla tour from Camtours in Cameroon.
ResponsibleTravel.com offers a wonderful two week lowland gorillas safari in Gabon and the Congo. The costs are over USD 8000 per person but it includes flights.