FACTS ON MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA

Globally, a handful of wildlife species have stimulated the intellect and enliven the spirit of travelers as intense as the world’s humble primates, the bulkiest living Apes in the world. These humble creatures live only within 3 landlocked countries of East Africa, and they include Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These astonishing primates are enlisted in the IUCN Red Data Book as endangered species and they are never seen in any zoo in the world or even live in captivity except in the wild. 900 of these spectacular Giant Apes still exist around the globe and incredibly over half (480) of them can be seen in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, East Africa. However, such tremendous numbers are based explained by the sound conservation and protection measures that have been invested on mountain gorillas as well as support from local communities.

THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Previously, no body had imagined that these impressive creatures would live in higher altitude than West Africa but after the news had circulated world wide, several hunters were seen around Congo where shooting became rampant. Notably, Prince Wilhelm of Sweden captured 14 mountain gorillas in 1920 to 1921. Shortly, the Belgians developed mountain gorilla preservation program and hence the English in Uganda-the pearl of Africa. Seeing the giant apes in Uganda was never allowed, apart from Walter Baumgartel in Kisoro who was allowed to take visitors to his Travelers Rest Hotel and currently if you visited Uganda, you would still consider it for accommodation. Famously, Baumgartel, is credited for his book “Up among the mountain gorillas”, as well, the famous primatologist Dian Fossey frequently live in the same place as George Schaller did. If you have ever seen gorillas at the zoo, they are the lowlands of Western Africa and the critically endangered mountain gorillas are the sub species known as “Gorilla beringei.”

At the pearl of Africa the world star attraction found their refuge at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park just at 48 kilometers away from each other. For visitors intending to track these rare Apes, well no worries because it is easier and safer to do it at remarkable Rwanda and Uganda as compared to DRC which affected by insecurity.

Description of the mountain gorillas

A mature gorilla is famously known as a silverback and its size doubles the one of the females, approximately 6 foot tall and weighs about 350-500 pounds. These apes have muscular bodies and long arms. The arms of the silverbacks can stretch up to 7 feet! The young adult mountain gorillas are called the black back due to the dark hair on their backs and they live up to 40-50 years. However, these impressive creatures share 98% of genes with humans and staring into eyes these creatures is as humbling as it is thrilling!

MUSCULAR MOUNTAIN GORILLA

Habitat and Diet

No where else in Uganda do visitors frequent to except, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park “The Ultimate Gorilla Experience” and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park “Where Gold meets Silver” for such spectacular primate experiences in a life time. Looking for incredible gorilla experience? Explore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest “The place of darkness” for tremendous world primates! The jungle lies within an altitude of 1160 to 2607 meters above sea level. The gorilla trek is full day adventure and visitors go with their lunch because these humble creatures roam around to different places to spend a night in newly made nests.

These outstanding creatures need food like humans do, and vegetation here is unexceptional. They eat plants but mostly circulate plant species which provide enough moisture and hence the critically endangered mountain gorillas need less water.

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST

The behavior of the mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas are some of the humble and shy primates that to less dangerous to humans unless threatened or irritated. Mountain gorilla trekking is best done in habituated gorilla families that are designated to visitors. In Uganda, there are 12 habituated families for visitors to track the mountain gorillas. This means that the Giant Apes are only accustomed to human presence and the habituation process takes around 2 years. Just like humans live in families, these impressive creatures on other hand also live in families of 2-30-40 individuals but mostly they live in groups of 10. Note that the mountain gorillas do not have mating season and babies can be born all the year round. At 15 years, the males begin breeding and the females give birth from 10-12 years and this means that the females give birth after 2-3 years hence 4-6 offspring within lifespan. At 11 years the male gorilla is supposed to leave the family and over half of the females on other hand also leave their family. In terms of communication, these creatures use over 25 different sounds like grunts, shouts and roar but each mean pass a different message.

The predators

Mountain gorillas need maximum protection to reduce cases of extinction and one of the biggest threats to the life the endangered species is encroachment by adjacent communities to the gorilla habitat. However, authorities have taken initiative to provide support incentives to the communities through gorilla tourism. Another critical threat is spread of human disease to the Apes, a reason why there visitors are required to observe the rules and regulars during gorilla trekking.

Mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda

For perfect gorilla safaris in East Africa, you either visit Uganda or Rwanda. Spend 4 solid hours only at Rushanga gorilla family while enjoying your Gorilla Habituation Experience-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. There are also gorilla treks from Rwanda-the Volcanoes National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. What you need to do is get in touch with Maranatha Tours and Travel and our gorilla dreams will be achieved! However, get a gorilla permit at $600 for gorilla tracking and $1500 for gorilla habituation experience in Rushanga area, Uganda. While in Rwanda you will pay $750 for gorilla trekking. With gorilla permit at hand, a visitor gets 95% chances to track the Giant Apes!

In conclusion, to discover more about the mountain gorillas is beyond reading the written documents but to travel to encounter them physically. If gorilla trekking offers a life time experiences then it is worth visiting Uganda for gorilla habituation experience; imagine spending 4 hours with humble creatures. Discover Uganda and be rewarded with remarkable experiences beyond expectation!!