It is a common misconception that gorillas can be found in Kenya. While Kenya is home to a wide variety of wildlife and is a popular destination for safaris, gorillas are not native to this East African country.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Gorillas are divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. The eastern gorilla species includes the mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla, and they are found in the neighboring countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
While Kenya shares borders with both Uganda, which is home to mountain gorillas, they are not found within Kenyan borders. The closest gorilla population to Kenya is located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, which is approximately 750 kilometers (470 miles) from the Kenyan border.
The confusion about gorillas being present in Kenya may stem from the fact that Kenya there are some Kenyan safaris that feature gorilla trekking safaris either in Uganda or Rwanda. Without checking the details of the itinerary, it is very easy to assume that there are gorillas in Kenya on top of the big five.
Gorillas are an endangered species and their populations are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and disease. Mountain gorillas, which are found in the Virunga Mountains and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, have a population of just over 1,000 individuals.
The eastern lowland gorilla, which is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has an estimated population of only 5,000 individuals. The western lowland gorilla is more numerous, with an estimated population of around 100,000 individuals, but they are still considered vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect gorilla populations and their habitats. National parks and reserves have been established to provide protected areas for gorillas and other wildlife, and anti-poaching measures are being implemented to deter illegal hunting.
Ecotourism has also become an important source of income for local communities, and visitors to gorilla habitats can help support conservation efforts by choosing responsible and sustainable tourism operators.
In conclusion, while Kenya is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts, it is important to note that gorillas are not found within Kenyan borders. Though mountain gorillas are a distinct species that are only found in East Africa, there is no single gorilla living in Kenya. The same applies to Tanzania.
There are a number of Tanzania gorilla trekking itineraries as well as Kenya gorilla trekking itineraries but none of these two countries offers gorilla trekking, it is simply a featured activity.