Best way to visit Gorillas from South Luangwa/Chipata?

Lowland gorillas (Gabon, Cameroon) or Highland gorillas (Rwanda, Uganda)?

It's a very long way to either!

Off the top of my head - minimum 4-5 days to get to Rwanda/Uganda; 4-5 weeks to get to Gabon/Cameroon overland.

Thats a massive trip, you could go north through the Congo but it would be difficult at best. If you want to see them in Rwanda/Uganda then it would be easier, quicker and cheaper to fly. Overland then you could get a train from Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania which takes 40 hours + including the inevitable delays. From 'Dar you can go across the country to Mwanza and then up to Uganda across Lake Victoria though in practise this proved to be a baffling ordeal. Its easier to get a bus up to Moshi (7 hours) and then a shuttle to Nairobi (7 hours), Kenya where you can get a bus to Kampala, Uganda (13 hours). From here you can arrange your gorilla tour though it is still 10-15 hours trip to Bwindi or Mgahinga Forests where the gorillas are.

Thanks to all who responded and brought me back to reality. Looks like seeing the Gorillas will have to wait until another trip. Again, thanks!