GORILLA HABITAT MAP

Exploring the Gorilla Habitat Map

Gorillas are a critically endangered species located in a handful of countries within Central Africa. As you can see in the above Gorilla Habitat Map, there are only a few areas where Gorillas live in the wild. This includes Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Gabon.

Gorillas in the different regions, outlined in the map above, have a few distinguishing characteristics:

Mountain Gorillas have the darkest and thickest hair. They are also diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and rest at night. There are only two populations of Mountain Gorilla, which are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and the Virunga Mountains.

Eastern Lowland Gorillas are the largest of the species. They have dark hair like the Mountain Gorillas, but it is shorter around the head and body. Similar to other male gorillas, the hair on the back turns silver, earning them the name “Silverback”.

Western Lowland Gorillas are the smallest of the species, however, still, have massive size and strength. The hair is black as well, but more coarse and does not cover the face, hands, ears, and feet.

Cross River Gorillas are the most critically endangered ape in the world. They have a more slender build and long arms. The hair on a Cross River Gorilla is a brownish-grey, with an auburn chest.

Click for a full page of Gorilla Facts.

Wondering where are the best places to see Gorillas in the wild?

It is not advised to track for Gorillas independently, however, there are a few organizations that operate Gorilla treks for tourists. These treks are both safe for you and the gorillas. We recommend researching organizations before selecting one, as not all operate ethically.