Uganda’s Gorillas
Mountain Gorillas can only survive in the wild by living in the thick vegetation of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and along the dormant volcanic Virunga mountain range, that stretches across Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Number of gorillas in existence
There are fewer than 900 mountain gorillas in existence, and gorilla trekking provides a rare chance to observe the everyday talks of these gentle funny primates. An infant mountain gorilla brushes its face against an adult male in the grass. The flowing drumming sound can be heard over one kilometer away. The presumed function of gorilla chest beats is to attract females and threaten rival males.
Types of gorilla species
There are two main species of gorillas in the world today. They are known as the western gorilla and the eastern gorilla. It is important to note that both of these types contain two subspecies. Mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas make up the eastern gorilla types. While, western lowland gorillas and Cross River gorillas make up the western gorilla species. These two types differ only in their size and in how they communicate when they make noise.
There is a tendency for the eastern gorilla to be bigger than the western gorilla. They have one thing in common; their natural homes are being destroyed. This is the main threat to gorillas. Communities around the parks are heavily populated, and residents have traditionally used land around national park boundaries for farming or logging.
The friendship of gorillas with humans
Since tourism is now one of Uganda’s most lucrative industry, the majority of tourists come to see the mountain gorillas, while, we encourage trekkers to seek out ways to give back to the communities they visit. One liked option is to hire a porter, who is always a local resident and occasionally a reformed poacher. porters help guide trekkers through river crossings and up steep as well as muddy inclines. Other option is to participate in community-led cultural initiatives. Around Mgahinga, elders of the Batwa tribe lead visitors on a forest tour along the Batwa Trail, explaining how their self-sufficient, forest-dwelling tribe, medicinal plants users.
Gorilla trekking spots# Uganda’s gorillas
- Gahinga Mountain
- Mount Muhabura
- Mt. Sabinyo
gorilla’s safety# Uganda’s gorillas
There are strict regulations in place to make sure the gorillas stay healthy and wild—starting with the gorilla trekking permit process. Daily viewings of each gorilla group an extreme limit, so visitors should apply well before their desired dates. In Uganda, permit costs vary depending on the season.
Most trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi, where there are multiple starting points and several gorilla families to track. park rangers lead the visitors in the groups of eight to observe the gorillas for one hour in silence, and at a safe distance. Additionally, in the high altitude and the challenging terrain, gorilla trekking in Uganda promises to be the adventure of a lifetime.