August 26, 2023 | Bujo Safaris
The ancient and muscular silverback gorillas are called so because of the silver saddle of hair on their backs. The enormous and very fierce silver bugs have long black and thick hair, and shaggy coats that keep their bodies warm even in extremely cold temperatures a case in point in the southwest of Uganda. They are known to live in the Equatorial parts of Africa southwest of Uganda, some parts of Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Silverbacks have silver-grey saddles across their backs and the upper thighs at sexual maturity. They are the broad-chested gentle giants that provide security to the entire gorilla family. The average captive silverbacks have broad shoulders that acknowledge their masculinity and strength. The original silverbacks also have large human-like hands that they use in their day-to-day activities such as gathering food for their offspring and protection from enemies. Original silver backs have small eyes set into hairless faces that help them see clearly in the jungle amidst tree branches and leaves.
The average captive silverbacks have a lifespan of 35 to 40 years in the jungle while the ones in the zoos can even make it up to 50 or more years due to the ease in life.
Protect the entire gorilla family. Silverbacks are entrusted with the responsibility to protect the entire family of gorillas including females and juveniles. They are generally strong and will fight off any animal that appears to be a threat to their family. Their physicality sets them apart and is an added advantage in terms of protection since their large arms can be used as a form of defense against enemies in the jungle especially other wildlife and even poachers.
Mediate conflicts. More like the human settings, silverbacks are entrusted with the responsibility to keep peace and it's in this virtue that they mediate conflicts among the family members that helps keep peace. Conflicts often arise among the other males in the family especially the ones who want dominancy and it is the responsibility of the silverback to make sure that they are at peace with the current supreme leader of the family.
Breed with females to pass on genetics. Silverbacks furthermore have the responsibility of mating with the females in the family to make sure that the family doesn't go extinct. They have mating seasons whereby the males romantically approach the females and expect them to coordinate for the good of the family.
Original silverbacks are responsible for leading the group movements. In times of movement and migration to other parts of the jungle, the amiable silverbacks stand the responsibility to make decisions on where the group can have the best stay such that they migrate to that place for better lives and protection. This explains the organized movements of mountain gorillas from Uganda to Rwanda and other parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Silverbacks in the gorilla families further have the task of making decisions about feeding. The whole gorilla family does not just move around in the jungle aimlessly but they are guided by a knowledgeable silverback that knows what's best for the entire group. Such intelligent skills make them dominant animals in the family and worth the respect they are accorded.
Clever silverbacks also have the task of making decisions about resting locations in the jungle and how to make them. It is important to note that gorillas make nests that they sleep in every night. This cannot be possible unless there’s the guidance of a dominant silverback in the family. Silverbacks guide the other members of the family on how to make them and the perfect location on where to put them for the peaceful nights.
Silverbacks also act as umbrella individuals for their natural habitats and they will defend and chase away anyone that appears to be a threat to it. This partially explains why gorillas often charge individuals with ill intentions in the forests, especially poachers. This further sets them apart from the rest of the members of the family.
Silverback gorillas are mainly herbivorous animals and feed on a variety of plant species such as leaves, stems, bamboo shoots, roots, fruits, flowers, barks, and Vines as well as insects like Termites and Bugs. An adult silverback can eat up to 35kgs which is twice what a female adult gorilla can consume and this makes silverbacks the largest primates in the World.
Mountain Gorillas are endangered and can only be traced from three countries in the whole world and that is Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Uganda alone has half of the world’s total population of Mountain Gorillas. These reside in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mount Mgahinga National Park all located in Southwestern Uganda. The process of seeing mountain Gorillas in their natural Habitat is called Gorilla Trekking and the type of safari is known as gorilla trekking safari.
Different tour operators organize gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda’s pristine gorilla destinations combining the safari with other wildlife encounters or safari activities such as Cultural encounters and wildlife viewing activities. However, one can trek mountain Gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo.
Arrive at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park visitor’s information center where you will attain a briefing from the rangers about gorilla trekking rules and regulations. After the briefing, you shall be grouped into groups of 8 people and assigned rangers for your safety. Upon meeting the gorillas, visitors are granted 1 hour of encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas as they learn about gorilla feeding styles, grooming young ones, behaviors, and everyday lifestyle. After the hour of encounter, descend back to the starting point where you shall be awarded a gorilla trekking permit that makes your journey a memorable adventure.
Optional Gorilla Habituation: This involves the process of introducing mountain gorillas to human presence in their natural habitat. Usually, gorilla habituation is done by researchers as they learn about their lifestyle and behaviors. During the gorilla habituation experience, Visitors are allowed to spend 4 to 5 Hours with the mountain gorillas as this is a great conservation effort of conserving these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Gorilla Habituation is only done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and this is because of the large population of Mountain Gorillas in the region.
For one to trek mountain Gorillas, you are required to have a gorilla trekking permit. This is a document that allows tourists to track mountain Gorillas in their natural Habitat. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs USD 800 per head for foreign Non-Residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. For the Gorilla habitat experience, a gorilla habituation permit costs USD 1500 per head for foreign Non-Residents, USD 1000 for foreign residents, and UGX 700,000 for East African citizens.
When is the best time to see Silverback Gorillas?
Seeing the Silverbacks is an open-year activity. However, the best time to see silverback gorillas is always during the dry season which runs from June to August and December to February when the gorilla trekking trails are dry and more accessible by travelers. You can also see silverbacks during wet seasons though it may seem challenging due to wet and slippery trekking trails. More so, gorillas tend to have enough food, and may seem difficult to find them in nearby locations. To sum it up, Silverback gorillas are docile creatures that will leave you in an awe-inspiring moment. As you plan your gorilla trekking safari, you need to carry enough gorilla trekking requirements for Uganda gorilla trekking and wildlife safari.
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