Exploring Mountain Gorillas Uganda – Everything You Need to Know
Are you wondering where mountain gorillas in Uganda live or why they are endangered? We bring you all the facts about these giant apes and the reasons why you should meet them.
Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are among the unusual primates in the world, a subspecies of the Eastern gorillas and they exist only in East-Central Africa. Out of the world’s 1063 mountain gorillas, about half of them live in Uganda.
Where do Mountain Gorillas in Uganda Live?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the only places to find mountain gorillas in Uganda. These protected areas are all situated in the far Southwestern Uganda, close to the D.R. Congo and Rwanda border.
Mountain gorillas in general survive in the Virunga region (Virunga National Park in Congo, Mgahinga and Volcanoes National Park) and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which stretches up to even Sarambwe Nature Reserve in the D.R. Congo. They spend most part of their day at elevation of 1400-3800m in the high-altitude montane and bamboo forests.
Within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 459 endangered mountain gorillas freely range in its rainforest dominated habitat. These apes can be spotted from the park’s 4 main gorilla sectors and the others exist in Mgahinga National Park.
In total, Uganda alone features 5 gorilla sectors; Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija and Buhoma (Bwindi), and Ntebeko in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Unique facts about mountain gorillas in Uganda;
Size
Mountain gorillas in Uganda are a few bulkiest and most powerful primates. In average, a mature male mountain gorilla weighs between 136 and 230 kg, and when standing, they reach the height of 4-6ft.
Diet
Mountain gorillas’ diet largely comprise of vegetation. They feed on the leaves, roots, fruits, tree barks, shoots, pulps and others. Some supplement their plant diet with ants and snails. In a day, a mature adult male mountain gorilla can feed up to 34kg and females can feed up to 18kg.
Social Life of Mountain Gorillas Uganda:
Mountain gorillas live in families or groups just like humans and in every family, there are leaders/silverbacks. A silverback is a mature male gorilla and is usually the one in charge; ensures the rest of the members are well protected. Within Uganda, over 23 gorillas have undergone through habituation and this means, they are open for gorilla tourism.
In every gorilla group, there can be 10-40 mountain gorillas comprising of infants, adult male and females. The silverbacks patrol their home range of 0.75 to 16sq.miles, and they are naturally powerful with massive chests. While they display much of physical power, these apes are a few calmest and non-aggressive unless they are threatened.
Females and males take responsibility for taking care of their infants, hugging, carrying and playing with them. The females can leave their original families and join another when they mature, while males can join or start their families.
Communication
Gorillas are naturally intelligent and have multiple ways of communicating to each other. Mountain gorillas use about 16 varied kinds of communication calls. These apes live only in the natural environment.
Life expectancy
Mountain gorillas can survive in the wild for about 35 years. At around 8-12 years, males are referred black backs and above 12, they grow silver like hair on their backs and hips.
Reproduction
Unlike other species, mountain gorillas have a very low reproduction rate. A female mountain gorillas can give birth to one infant at a time, and gestation period lasts for 8-9 months.
They take about 4 to 6 years to give birth to another baby, and this makes it hard for them to recover when their population declines. A female mountain gorilla can be given birth at around 10 years.
How to see mountain gorillas in Uganda?
There are two (2) options that offer tourists a chance to encounter a family of mountain gorillas in Uganda, that is gorilla trekking or mountain gorilla habituation. This requires you to book a valid gorilla permit regardless of the adventure option.
Normal gorilla trekking permits are open for booking at USD 800 per person. The permits are booked by visitors above 15 years. Our team can assist you have your permit secured and also plan the entire gorilla trip to Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mountain gorilla habituation is only enjoyed in Bwindi around Rushaga sector and permits for this adventure are available for reservation at USD 1500 per person.
Best time to visit Mountain Gorillas in Uganda
The dry months are the ideal months for tourists to have successful gorilla trekking in Uganda. The dry months are experienced from June to September (this mark the first phase), and December, January to February –which mark the 2nd phase.
Due to low or no rainfalls, walking through the rainforest in search for gorillas is easier during these months because the floor remains a bit drier.
Essentials to pack for a safari to see mountain gorillas in Uganda
The items one should consider a must have on their packing list include a valid gorilla permit, long-sleeved shirts, a pair of trousers, a daypack, a sweater, waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, a tin of insect repellents, first aid kit, toiletries, and others.
Guidelines to Observe during Gorilla Trekking Tour:
- Visitors are assigned to only one gorilla family on every single gorilla trek.
- In a group, a maximum of 8 visitors go to visit a gorilla group, this rule should be respected.
- 15 years and above are the acceptable age limit for visitors interested in trekking gorillas.
- Do not proceed to trek gorillas when sick or feeling ill.
- Hands must be washed prior setting foot into the jungles in search for a family of mountain gorillas.
- Have your mouth covered when coughing and nose when sneezing.
- Do not touch a gorilla (s) even when they rub themselves on you.
- At all times, observe the set social distance of 8-10 meters from the family of endangered mountain gorillas.
Is it better to see gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda?
Uganda and Rwanda all inhabit mountain gorillas. They have significant number of gorilla families which are open for gorilla trekking. Unlike D.R. Congo, both Uganda and Rwanda have enjoyed long period of peace and security making the most preferred destinations for gorilla trekking.
Each destination guarantees primate seekers unique experiences, a reason you need to visit both.