Mountain Gorillas
The mountain gorilla, scientifically known as Gorilla beringei beringei, is a majestic subspecies of the eastern gorilla that exclusively inhabits East and Central Africa. Being the largest living primate, it possesses remarkable characteristics such as greater size, strength, and a thick coat of fur, enabling it to thrive in harsh, high-altitude environments with extreme cold.
Similar to human thumbprints, each mountain gorilla has a unique nose print.
This remarkable primate faces a significant threat of extinction, with Uganda being the only country where it can be found. Over half of the world’s mountain gorilla population resides in Uganda, primarily in the Virunga Mountains within Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Where can you find mountain gorillas?
Mountain gorillas can only be found in the Virunga Mountains spanning the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda, as well as in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Uganda boasts the largest share, hosting 60% of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, approximately 400 of which inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park, situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, is renowned as the premier destination for gorilla trekking in the country. It stands out as one of East Africa’s most biodiverse national parks.
Bwindi is split into four areas: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Remember to book accommodation in the same region where you’ll get your gorilla trekking permit. Alternatively, you can ask Curious Tours Africa to assist with permit arrangements.
The Buhoma region is the most popular region for trekkers. There are four groups of gorillas near Buhoma that are habituated to humans. The group names are Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, and the Nkuringo group
How Gorillas are Related to Humans: Understanding the Connection
Despite sharing 98% of their genetic makeup with humans, mountain gorillas lack immunity to common human diseases, making them vulnerable to illnesses. This susceptibility underscores the importance of stringent conservation measures, particularly in the context of gorilla tourism. Practices such as health monitoring, habituation for tourism, visitor control, maintaining a safe distance, and wearing face masks are crucial to minimizing the transmission of diseases to these vulnerable creatures. Mountain Gorillas have an average lifespan of 35 years in the wild.
Mountain Gorilla Size
Adult mountain gorillas are the largest and most powerful primates, with males weighing between 136 to 230 kilograms and standing 4 to 6 feet tall.
Mountain Gorilla Diet
Their diet consists mainly of vegetation, including roots, shoots, leaves, fruits, wild celery, tree bark, and pulp, supplemented by protein from snails and ants, with tree bark serving as their source of sodium. An adult male can consume up to 34 kilograms of food per day, necessitating significant time for digestion and other social activities.
The Social Life of a Mountain Gorilla
These primates exhibit complex social structures, living in stable family groups consisting of 10 to 40 individuals led by a dominant male, known as a silverback. The silverback plays a crucial role in ensuring the family’s well-being, including foraging, defense, and conflict resolution. Despite their intimidating physical presence, mountain gorillas are generally calm and nonaggressive unless provoked.
How Mountain Gorillas Communicate
Communication among mountain gorillas involves various vocalizations and gestures, demonstrating their intelligence and social complexity. While they display significant intelligence in captivity and have been observed using simple human sign language, mountain gorillas have never survived in captivity.
Mountain Gorilla Lifespan
In their natural habitat, mountain gorillas can live up to 35 years, with distinct stages of development from infancy to adulthood. Female gorillas give birth to a single infant after a nine-month pregnancy, and newborns cling to their mother’s fur for warmth and protection.
Mountain Gorilla Conservation
Conservation efforts have led to an improvement in the mountain gorilla population, resulting in a change in their conservation status from “critically endangered” to “endangered” in 2008. However, continued conservation efforts are essential to sustain this progress and prevent the species from slipping back into critical endangerment.
How to encounter Mountain Gorillas
Tourists interested in observing mountain gorillas can participate in gorilla trekking safaris organized by Curious Tours Africa. These tours typically start from Entebbe and venture into the mountain rainforest jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Permit fees vary for foreigners and residents, with the Uganda Wildlife Authority charging $800 for foreigners and less for residents and Ugandans.
For a more immersive experience, visitors can opt for a gorilla habituation experience, which allows them to spend extended periods with semi-habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo also offer gorilla trekking tours, albeit at different price points and accessibility levels.
Preparing for a gorilla trekking adventure requires appropriate attire and gear, including light hiking boots, trousers, rain gear, and a waterproof backpack for essentials.
Witnessing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a unique and unforgettable experience, showcasing the importance of conservation efforts to protect these remarkable creatures.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Walking through the misty jungle creates an atmosphere like no other. Each step heightens your excitement, leading to the incredible reward of encountering the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where this adventure takes place, is widely considered one of Africa’s most mystical settings.