Difference Between Mountain Gorilla and Lowland Gorilla – Understanding Africa’s Gentle Giants
Introduction to Africa’s Great Apes
Africa’s rainforests and mountain slopes are home to two of the most fascinating primates on Earth — the mountain gorilla and the lowland gorilla. Though they share a common ancestor and belong to the same species group (Gorilla), they are distinct in many ways — from their habitats and appearance to their behavior and conservation status.
Both species captivate travelers and scientists alike with their intelligence, social structures, and emotional depth. Understanding the differences between them not only enriches your appreciation of gorillas but also highlights the importance of conserving their fragile habitats across Central and East Africa.
The Two Main Gorilla Species
Gorillas are divided into two species — the Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Each of these species is further divided into subspecies:
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Eastern Gorilla:
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Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)
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Eastern Lowland Gorilla or Grauer’s Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri)
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Western Gorilla:
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Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
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Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli)
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When most people speak of gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, they are referring to the mountain gorilla. The lowland gorillas, on the other hand, are found in the dense rainforests of Central and West Africa, in countries such as Gabon, Congo, and the Central African Republic.
Habitat and Range Differences
Mountain Gorillas live at high altitudes — between 2,200 and 4,000 meters (7,200 to 13,000 feet) — in the volcanic mountain ranges of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They thrive in cool, misty forests covered in thick vegetation such as bamboo and ferns. Their habitat in the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is rugged and often steep, which makes trekking to see them a physically rewarding challenge.
Lowland Gorillas, by contrast, inhabit tropical rainforests at lower altitudes — often below 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). The Western Lowland Gorilla is the most widespread, found in countries like Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Congo, while the Eastern Lowland Gorilla is mainly found in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Their environment is warmer, wetter, and denser, filled with swamps and thick jungle canopies.
Physical Appearance and Size
The differences in habitat are reflected in their physical adaptations.
Mountain Gorillas have longer, thicker fur to protect them from the cold temperatures of their high-altitude environment. They tend to be stockier, with broad chests, short arms relative to body size, and more muscular builds. Males can weigh up to 180 kilograms (400 pounds) and stand around 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall when upright. Their facial features are softer, with broader noses and more pronounced brow ridges.
Lowland Gorillas, adapted to warmer and flatter terrain, have shorter, finer hair and lighter builds. Western Lowland Gorillas are slightly smaller, weighing between 140 to 170 kilograms (310–375 pounds), and often have a more reddish or brownish coat with a distinct brown crest of hair atop their heads. Eastern Lowland Gorillas are larger than their western relatives but still leaner than mountain gorillas, with longer arms and a more elongated face.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Both species are primarily herbivorous, but their diets differ due to the vegetation available in their environments.
Mountain Gorillas feed mainly on leaves, shoots, stems, and wild celery. Their mountainous home provides limited fruit, so they rely more on vegetation. They spend much of the day foraging slowly and methodically through the forest, often consuming up to 30 kilograms (66 pounds) of plant material daily.
Lowland Gorillas, especially the western subspecies, have access to a greater variety of fruits in their lowland forests. Their diet is more diverse, including fruits, seeds, and occasional insects. Because of this, lowland gorillas tend to travel longer distances in search of fruiting trees, whereas mountain gorillas stay within smaller home ranges.
Behavior and Social Structure
Gorilla society revolves around strong family bonds, but there are subtle behavioral differences between mountain and lowland gorillas.
Mountain Gorilla groups tend to be larger, often containing up to 20 or more individuals led by a dominant silverback male. These groups are cohesive, spending much of their time together feeding and grooming. Their calm, tolerant nature makes them more approachable during trekking experiences, as they have been habituated over decades of conservation research.
Lowland Gorillas generally form smaller groups — around 5 to 10 individuals — and may cover larger territories. They are more arboreal (tree-dwelling) and can be more elusive due to denser vegetation. Encounters with wild lowland gorillas are rarer, and habituated groups are limited to select research and conservation projects such as those in Loango National Park (Gabon) or Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park (Congo).
Conservation Status and Threats
Both mountain and lowland gorillas are endangered, but their population trends differ slightly.
Mountain Gorillas have seen a remarkable recovery thanks to conservation efforts in Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. Once on the brink of extinction with fewer than 300 individuals in the 1980s, their numbers have now surpassed 1,000. Strict protection, community-based tourism, and global awareness have made them one of conservation’s greatest success stories.
Lowland Gorillas, particularly the Western Lowland Gorilla, still face severe threats from habitat loss, poaching, and disease — especially Ebola outbreaks that have devastated populations in the Congo Basin. Despite being more numerous than mountain gorillas, their populations are declining, and they are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
Gorilla Trekking Experiences – What to Expect
Trekking to see Mountain Gorillas is a well-organized and world-renowned experience in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga parks or Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Visitors hike through misty forests with professional guides, spending one magical hour observing gorillas up close. The experience is both humbling and deeply emotional.
Trekking to see Lowland Gorillas in Gabon or the Congo is a more rugged, pioneering adventure. The journeys involve long hikes through dense rainforests, fewer tourist facilities, and unpredictable encounters. It’s a wilder, more exclusive experience suited for travelers who seek remote and less commercialized adventures.
Final Thoughts
Mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas are two sides of the same majestic story — one told through resilience, intelligence, and the deep bonds of family. The mountain gorilla, thriving among misty volcanoes, symbolizes hope through conservation success. The lowland gorilla, hidden in the vast Congo forests, reminds us of the fragility of untouched wilderness.
Both deserve our admiration and protection. Whether you trek through Bwindi’s emerald slopes or navigate Gabon’s swampy forests, an encounter with either of these great apes is not just a wildlife experience — it’s a profound connection to the very heart of nature.
