Endangered
Mountain Gorilla
Gorilla beringei beringei
About Mountain Gorilla
Mountain gorillas live in two isolated populations: the Virunga volcanoes (Rwanda, Uganda, DRC) and Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. They're our second-closest living relatives after chimpanzees, sharing around 98% of our DNA. Each family group is led by a dominant silverback who mediates disputes and decides the daily route. Trekking permits are limited (max 8 people per group, one hour per visit) to minimize disturbance. Both Rwanda and Uganda have strict conservation policies that have grown populations from around 250 in the 1980s to over 1,000 today.
Did you know?
Gorillas build a fresh nest of leaves every night, and each family member has their own.
Where to see them
Bwindi
Volcanoes
Mgahinga