Mountain gorillas are a major reason why 1000s of tourists consider East African safaris a must-do. A trek to see a family of these unique apes is what many describe as a life-changing experience. Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are a sub-species of the Eastern gorillas, Africa’s most sought-for great apes in the wild. These special apes are on the IUCN Red list of endangered species, and a total of about 1063 still survive within the East African jungles, particularly in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC.
As of 2018, the mountain gorilla population was estimated to be 1004, but with strict guidelines and collective efforts to conserve and protect these large primates, their population is gradually increasing. Unlike other animal species or primates, mountain gorillas don’t live at the zoo. To see them, a gorilla tour to Uganda, Rwanda or DRC should be a must-do in Africa.