Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Best way to visit Gorillas from South Luangwa/Chipata?

Country forums / Africa / Zambia

Looking for public transportation info from travelers who have visited gorillas from South Luangwa/Chipata area? Thanks!

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

1

It's a very long way to either!

2

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

3

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.

4

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!

5