Gorillas
Mountain Gorillas
The mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is a giant primate (great ape) that is only found in East and Central Africa: it is the world’s largest living primate. It is larger and more powerful than other gorilla species, with thicker, longer fur that allows it to survive only in harsh environments at high altitudes and extreme cold. Mountain gorilla nose prints are unique to each individual, just like human thumbprints. Gorillas are the largest members of the ape family, and they are herbivores, meaning they eat mostly vegetation (though some are omnivores and feed on some small animals for flesh). As a result, they are mostly found in equatorial Africa’s tropical woods. Though they are occasionally found deep within the forests, gorillas spend the majority of their time on the ground.
The genus Gorilla includes the eastern and western gorillas, as well as possibly four or five subspecies. The gorilla is considered the second closest living relative to humans, after chimps and bonobos. This is because they share 95 to 99% of the human DNA, depending on what is included in the comparison.
There are currently two primary gorilla species and they include western and eastern gorillas, respectively and each of these species has two subspecies. The eastern gorilla species includes both the well-known mountain and lowland gorillas. Cross-river gorillas and western lowland gorillas make up the western gorilla species, on the other hand. The only difference between these two species is their size and how they communicate by making different noises. Another difference could be where they live or where they live in their habitat. Moreover, the eastern gorilla is typically larger than the western gorilla; however, they are all linked by the destruction of their natural environments.
mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas, as previously stated, are members of the Eastern gorilla species (Gorilla beringei). They can be found in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo‘s Virunga Mountains. There are approximately 1000 mountain gorillas in the area. These numbers have declined by more than 70% over the last two decades due to habitat destruction/encroachment for farmland and human settlement, as well as poaching for bushmeat. As a result, the mountain gorillas are declared “endangered species” by the IUCN.
The mountain gorilla is one of the most fascinating animals on the planet. Encounters with these great apes are regarded as among the best African wildlife experiences because they resemble us, humans, in appearance and social structure. Mountain gorillas can be found only in Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mountain gorilla sightings are most common in Uganda, where more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas are found. This has increased the popularity of Uganda Gorilla Safaris, as visitors can trek these great apes in Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Mountain gorillas can also be found in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Mountain gorillas are distinguished from brownish western and eastern lowland gorillas by their thick black fur. They also have shorter arms than their lowland counterparts.
Before they are opened to tourists for trekking, mountain gorillas are trained to get acclimated to humans through a process known as “gorilla habituation.” Gorilla habituation can take two to three years, during which time researchers continue to visit a known troop of wild gorillas on a daily basis. They learn more about the personalities and behaviors of specific gorillas. Each gorilla eventually gets a name as they become acquainted with the researchers. Once scientists are confident that these mountain gorillas can be walked, they stage a mock exercise with a small group of visitors, which may include members of the media and scientists. Once a gorilla family has successfully completed a mock exercise, it is made available for trekking.
Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda involves hiking through the tropical forests of Uganda to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Uganda is such a beautiful safari destination that most tourists go gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is the highlight of all Ugandan visits, and to a large extent, mountain gorillas are the primary reason why many tourists choose to visit Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is primarily done in two areas: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The most popular safari destination for gorilla trekking in Uganda is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, which has 22 habituated gorilla families and is the best park for tourists to see gorillas in their natural habitat. The park also has over 120 mammal species, 348 bird species, and 11 reptile species.
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is the most popular tourist activity in Volcanoes National Park, in Rwanda and the chances of seeing mountain gorillas are very high. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda entails hiking through dense bamboo forests and Steep Mountain slopes in search of one of Rwanda’s gorilla families. The final encounter with the primates is regarded as one of Rwanda’s most exciting and memorable African Gorilla Trekking encounters.
You could spend hours just watching the gorilla children play. Mountain gorillas are always curious and playful. Some may approach you, but not with malice. It is critical to listen to your Guides and remain calm while with the gorillas. Make no abrupt movements. Volcanoes National Park gorilla tracking can last anywhere from one to six hours, depending on the gorilla group assigned to you and their exact location on the day of the trek.
Gorilla trekking in Congo
A safari in Virunga National Park would be incomplete without seeing the critically endangered mountain gorillas. In Virunga National Park, there are eight habituated gorilla families, with the Kabirizi family being the most common and largest, with 32 members. Regardless of which gorilla group you track, gorilla trekking usually begins with an early morning briefing.
Following the briefing, trekkers are led by Park Rangers to the gorilla family’s location. Finding the group can take anywhere from one to four hours. You have one hour to observe and photograph the members of the group as they feed, groom, and care for the children.
cost of gorilla trekking in Africa
The price of a gorilla trekking safari is primarily determined by the gorilla permit, lodging options, distance to parks, and mode of transportation. When compared to other African wildlife safari activities, gorilla trekking is quite expensive.
Cost of Gorilla permit in Uganda; in order to participate in gorilla trekking, you must first obtain a gorilla permit, so the cost of the gorilla permit heavily influences the cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda. The gorilla trekking permit now costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for East African residents (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania), and 250,000 UGX for East African citizens throughout the year.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience permit / pass costs $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $1,000 for foreign residents in East Africa and 750,000 UGX for East African Citizens.
Cost of Gorilla permit in Rwanda; Rwanda Gorilla trekking permits costs USD ,500 per foreign tourists and 0 for Rwandans and East African Residents. Gorilla Permits in Rwanda are issued by only Rwanda Development Board.
Cost of Gorilla permit in Congo; if you’ve always wanted to meet the gentle giants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gorilla permits to Virunga National Park cost only USD $450.
Other Types of Gorillas
Cross River Gorillas
There are only about 250 Cross River gorillas left in the world, according to the January 2017 census. These gorillas are primarily found in Cameroon and Nigeria. Gustav Nachtigal discovered them in 1904 and named them after the river that separates these two countries.
Cross River gorillas are threatened not only by poaching and habitat loss but also by human-caused diseases. It is estimated that more than half of them died as a result of human diseases such as malaria and Ebola.
To save the remaining Cross River gorillas, both countries must collaborate to reduce poaching, raise awareness of the population decline, and establish a safe haven for them.
The Western Lowland Gorillas
Western lowland gorillas are among the most vulnerable of the great apes. Though the exact number of western lowland gorillas is unknown because they live in some of Africa’s most dense and remote rainforests, it is estimated that there are only about 100,000 Western lowland gorillas left in the world, and their numbers are declining due to habitat destruction and poaching too. Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon are home to these animals.
Western lowland gorillas are distinguished from other gorilla subspecies by their slightly smaller size, brown-grey coats, and reddish chests. They also have smaller ears, larger heads, and more prominent brow ridges. Despite its large population, the western lowland gorilla has been declining. As previously stated, sickness and poaching have reduced the number of gorillas by more than 60% over the last 20 to 25 years. And even with the elimination of all threats, scientists estimate that it would take 75 years for the population of western lowland gorillas to recover.
However, there is little hope for these countries to recover anytime soon due to deforestation and war. Poaching is a major threat to them because killing them for bushmeat or as bycatch reduces the population size.
The Eastern Lowland Gorillas
The eastern lowland gorilla, also known as Grauer’s gorilla, is the largest of the four gorilla subspecies. It is distinguished from other gorillas by its short muzzle, massive hands, and stocky build. Despite their large size, eastern lowland gorillas, like other gorilla subspecies, eat primarily fruit and other herbaceous materials. The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas have both suffered as a result of years of civil unrest.
The eastern lowland gorilla lives in the lowland tropical rainforests of eastern DR. Congo. Its range was 8,100 square miles nearly five decades ago, but it has gradually shrunk to around 4,600 square miles. Only 13% of the historical range of this subspecies may still exist today. There were nearly 17,000 eastern lowland gorillas in the mid-1990s, but biologists believe the population has declined by more than 50% since then. Because of the violence in the area, it has been impossible to accurately count the animals.
