Bwindi Impenetrable forest's Gorilla dies aged 28 - Uganda Safaris

Aged 28,Mishaya who had lived half of his life died last Monday due to digestion problems.Mishaya has been living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is found in the southwest of Uganda.His death was sudden after a short illness,according to the top wildlife officials.
























The lifespan of a protected mountain gorilla is 50 years,according to Dr Gladys Kalema (the director of conservation through public health). Dr Gladys Kalema described the fallen gorilla as an active,assertive and friendly gorilla which was liked by many visitors on a gorilla safari.Mishaya broke  away from Nshongi group about 2 years ago and it became the leader of the new found group.

The amusing character of Mishaya will always be missed by those who new him.He used to spice up the gorilla tracking activity in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by giving a compelling opportunity for photographs to many visitors.Such elegant primates have rapidly led to an increase in Uganda Safaris as visitors come to relax and look at their uniqueness.

Dr Seguya Andrew (the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority) said that Mishaya's death is a "blow" to the whole country as one of the most lovely gorillas,free to tourists is lost.Following Mishaya's death,the executive director of Uganda Wildlife Authority sent a team of veterinary doctors to do the further investigation of what was the exact cause of his death.

It is however indicated by the preliminary results that Mishaya died after the coiling of the intestines.He was the only dominant silverback ,alpha male after which a group of habituated gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Mishaya group) was named.Mishaya group is found in the southern region of Bwindi ,in Rushaga.In this southern region,there are other habituated gorilla groups including the Nshongyi group,Busingye group and Kahungye group.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park consists half of the world's total population of mountain Gorillas.These mountain gorillas are one of the rear primate species which many tourists enjoy looking at.This is the main reason why gorilla tracking in Uganda is still the leading tourism activity.
A visitor is required to obtain a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority before enjoying the activity.One can either obtain a gorilla permit online or by visiting the UWA offices.

Apart from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,gorillas in Uganda can also be found in Mgahinga gorilla National park,while in Rwanda,they are found in Volcanoes National Park.

2014 updates on Gorilla tracking permits,Uganda and Rwanda - Gorilla Safaris

In order for a visitor to enjoy a gorilla safari in Uganda,he/she must obtain a gorilla permit.These gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at their offices.However,a visitor can also obtain a gorilla pemit online.This online gorilla permit purchase was introduced early 2014.A visitor is not allowed to track the gorillas unless if he/she has a gorilla permit.
Below are some of the relevant updates of 2014 gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda that a visitor should know;

2014 gorilla permit rates

•  2014-2015 gorilla permit rates have been confirmed by Uganda Wildlife Authority.Th rates have been increased from US$ 500 to US$ 600 per permit.
• During the months of April,May and November 2014,gorilla permits rates are discounted at US$350 per permit.The permit rates are discounted by US$250 per permit.
• Gorilla tracking permits in Rwanda cost US$750 per permit.

Allocation of permits according to the gorilla family in Bwindi National Park
In the past,gorilla permits of Bwindi were issued according  to the gorilla family to be visited.However,in 2014,things have changed in that,gorilla permit are issued according to the tracking area to be visited.This is the same system with Rwanda.
The 4 gorilla tracking areas in Bwindi National Park are;

• Ruhija area - has two gorilla groups
• Buhoma area - has three gorilla groups
• Rushaga - has five gorilla groups
• Nkuringo - has one gorilla group

List of gorilla families in Uganda

Gorilla Family	Location	Number  of individuals
Habinyanja Gorilla Family	Buhoma	17 individuals including 2 silverbacks
Rushengura Gorilla Family	Buhoma	19 individuals with 1 silverback
Bitkura Gorilla Family	Ruhija	14 individuals including 4 silverbacks
Mubare Gorilla family	Buhoma	8 individuals with 1 silverback
Oruzogo Gorilla Family	Ruhija	25 individuals including 2 silverbacks
Nkuringo Gorilla Family	Nkuringo	19 individuals including 2 silverbacks
Nshongi Gorilla Families	Rushaga	26 individuals including 4 silverbacks
Mishaya Gorilla Family	Rushaga	12 individuals including 1 silverback
Kahungye Gorilla Family	Rushaga	13 individuals including 3 silverbacks
Bweza gorilla Family	Rushaga	9 individuals including 1 silverback
Busingye Gorilla Family	Rushaga	9 individuals including 1 silverback
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family	Mgahinga National Park	10 individuals including 3 silverbacks
Kyanguriro Gorilla Family	Ruhija	15 individuals including 2 silver backs

How to acquire a gorilla permit - Uganda safaris

Before enjoying a Gorilla Safari in Uganda and Rwanda,one is required to have a gorilla permit otherwise,no one is allowed to see any gorilla in these countries.Each National park requires a different permit that is shows that you are allowed to track the mountain gorillas.

It is advisable to obtain these gorilla permits in advance so as to avoid any inconvenience that may occur.This can be 3 months before your trip.

It should be noted that tracking gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda is only guaranteed after getting a permit.

How a gorilla permit looks

Getting a gorilla permit becomes competitive and scarce mainly during peak seasons.

In Uganda,a gorilla permit is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) while in Rwanda,they are issued by ORTPN. In Uganda,UWA offices are found in Kamwokya,a Kampala suburb.

The permit allows the visitor to view the gorillas at ease and this is for about an hour,but gorilla tracking can take a minimum of 30 minutes to about 9 hours.Tracking takes a long time because it takes time to find these hiding primates.

A gorilla permit in Uganda costs US$ 500 per person per day,while in Rwanda it is at US$ 750 per person per day.

A visitor is advised to mind about the each gorilla permit he/she purchases.A gorilla permit determines the gorilla family that one will trek plus accommodation/lodge.For some National parks like Bwindi,gorillas are divided into families and each family has its specific place where it stays.This is the reason why the permits have to specify which gorilla family one is going to visit.

To avoid inconveniences, one should order for the permits in advance through tour operators like Maranatha tours and travel company.The company will check the availability of the permits and give you the feedback.On confirmation,you will transfer the funds to the company account who will purchase the permits and send you scanned copies.To help the company get the permits,you are required to send your passport details which are needed by Uganda Wildlife Authority to print out the gorilla permits.

Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - uganda safaris

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has about 120 mammal species and among these 7 are diurnal primate species.The Park has about 60% of the total gorillas in East Africa.
These gorillas are easy to see while at the park due to there large number and this explains why of recent,the park has registered a rapid increase in the number of visitors.While on a Rwanda gorilla Safari or Uganda Gorilla Sfai,you can make a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable and have a live view of the gorillas.

 

Mountain gorillas are Bwindi's main tourist attraction and these elegant mammals have been habituated since April 1993.Some of the groups that can be visited at the park include;

-Habinyanja group: This has about 23 gorillas and two silverbacks
-Mubare group: with 16 gorillas and one silverback
-Nkuring group:This has 20 gorillas and 2 silverbacks
-Rushegura group: has 1 siverback and 9 gorillas

Gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are a bit more friendly compared to other parks, in that they can even come out and play just a few meters from human beings and sometimes visitors get a chance to take clear photos with them.

At the park,it is advisable that you avoid direct contact with the gorillas to avoid contracting some diseases since certain diseases are shared by both human beings and gorillas.

While taking photos with these gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,it is advisable that you keep the flashlight of the camera off and avoid making noise,so as not to scare away the gorillas.

Before tracking the gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park,one is required to purchase a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)without this,you are not allowed to go for any gorilla tracking trip in Uganda.


Gorilla tracking fees at the park are as follows:

Non-residents pay US$ 600 per person,while East African Residents pay US$ 475.This fee is exclusive of the gorilla permit fee.
It should be noted that persons below 15 years of age are not allowed to go for gorilla tracking.