December 13, 2021 | Bujo Safaris
Mountain Gorillas, scientifically known as Gorilla Beringei beringei and classified as Mammalia, are among the most sought-after gorilla species on the planet. There are only two species of gorillas in the world; eastern gorillas and western gorillas. Mountain gorillas are a subspecies of eastern gorillas. Western gorillas are the other species, with their sub-species like cross-river gorillas and western lowland gorillas that can be seen in The democratic Republic of Congo.
According to the most recent census, the number of gorillas in the wild is steadily increasing. Mountain gorillas are estimated to be around 1060 individuals, with half of them living in Uganda, a quarter in Rwanda, and others in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain Gorillas are omnivores and eat a variety of foods. They eat leaves, stalks, and fruits, among other things. Water comes from the leaves they eat as well as the morning mist. They feed for the majority of the day, especially in the morning and evening.
Mountain gorillas have exclusively adapted to high-altitude African terrain. Bwindi's Impenetrable Forest and Virunga Mountain range, which stretches over Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the sole habitats of mountain gorillas and popular tourist destinations. No mountain gorilla can be found in a zoo or outside of the mentioned region. They make their nests in every location they come across and spend the nights together on the ground or in trees. The children and infants relate to their months, which keeps them warm and happy.
Gorillas are the world's largest primates, with 95 to 98 percent human-like DNA, behavior, and appearance. Here are some of the surefire facts that differentiate mountain gorillas from the rest that a traveler seeking a Uganda gorilla trekking safari should know before embarking on this journey of a lifetime.
Mountain gorillas are very social animals. They live in troops, which are made up of 5 or more members, mainly dominated by females. The group is led by a powerful male with a silver-like patch down the back (silverback), who ensures peace and security in the family. By the age of 12, males have already assumed dominance, while females can begin to conceive at the age of seven. Their life expectancy is around 35 to 40 years, yet poaching and human encroachment have had negative impacts on them.
Except for their noses, thumbs, fingers, and face, gorillas are completely coated in black fur. They are enormous, but they are also extremely shy. One adult male is said to be stronger than ten able-bodied males together. A grownup can stand 4-6 feet tall and weigh around 440 pounds. They feature longer arms than legs, dark brown eyes with a dark ring around the iris, silver-grey hair on the back of the mature male, human-like fingerprints, and a nose that is unique to each individual.
Researchers suggest that these subspecies of gorillas make about 25 unique sounds while communicating. Some sounds signify happiness, greeting, danger indicator, and so forth.
Mountain gorillas share a DNA of about 98% to that of human beings which makes them from other wildlife. Just like how human beings are, each mountain gorilla has a unique feature that is different from the other and therefore can identify themselves. More so, this can be evidenced when eating termites where they first look for a stick to flush them out. Sometimes, mountain gorillas use sign language to communicate to humans most especially during the gorilla trekking experience as they are seeking for way and when the dominant silverback is hitting the chest.
Yes, mountain gorillas spend most of their time on the ground and usually sleep on the ground. This is because they are too heavy for some trees to support their weight thus spend time on the ground eating leaves and plants. However, young ones usually climb high in trees to collect fruits and this is because their size can be supported by some trees. In need of seeing these creatures physically, to confirm some of the facts, as well as the unique behaviors of mountain gorillas, visit the continent of Africa for a gorilla trekking safari that will create unforgettable memories.
Gorilla trekking is a primate-lovers' adventure that involves walking through the bush in search of these majestic apes. It takes between two and six hours, depending on the tracking speed, plus an hour to observe and take photos. This is done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park's Misty Jungle and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda's southwestern region, which is home to half of the world's mountain gorilla population.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda habiting about 400 mountain gorilla individuals and is the best in the region. The park is also home to other wildlife species such as Forest elephants, bush pigs, forest hogs, and kobs among others as well as different species of birds such as blue-headed sunbird, Grader’s broadbill, black-faced rufous warbler, handsome francolin, purple breasted sunbird, Ruwenzori Apalis, yellow streaked greenbul, Shelley's Crimsoning, regal sunbird, olive breasted greenbul, mountain masked Apalis among others including the different 163 tree species, Butterflies and 27 frogs.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has 4 major gorilla-tracking regions of Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija where travelers on a Uganda safari can access trekking to mountain gorillas. The park has more than 26 gorilla-habituated families that ease the gorilla tracking experience for travelers on a Uganda safari.
The park has 4 major gorilla tracking regions, Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo which all have different gorilla families. Arrive at the visitor’s information center for a briefing and later head out for the gorilla trekking experience as distributed to different gorilla groups. Visitors are allowed 1 hour to spend with the mountain gorillas as they learn about their lifestyle and behaviors. After this experience, you shall return to the ground and receive your gorilla trekking certificate. A quarter of these species live in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province, while the other quarter live in the Democratic Republic of Congo's Virunga National Park in the east. These gorilla species are found nowhere else on the planet, other than East Africa.
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit, which is required for people wishing to track gorillas on their African safaris in Uganda is USD 800 USD for (Foreign non-residents), USD 700 (Foreign residents), and UGX 300,00 For (East African Citizens), 400 USD in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and 1500 USD for those trekking in Rwanda. The price includes park entrance fees, ranger guide payments, contributions to the local communities, and conservation of the mountain gorillas. The permit is charged per person per day. The minimum age required for gorilla trekking is 15 years and this is because young ones may not follow instructions as directed by the ranger guide.
The packing list for a gorilla trekking safari includes; hand gloves, cameras, binoculars, long-sleeved shirts/blouses, Mosquito repellent, hats, trousers and so much as you will be guided by your tour operator. Mountain gorillas are one of the most exciting creatures on earth and the closest relatives to humans, just after bonobos and chimpanzees. Mountain gorillas never live in captivity!
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