The splendour of Rubbing shoulders with a mountain gorilla

Getting around Africa on a safari is so amazing because of the splendour one enjoys as he/she looks at some of the rare mammals. However, just looking might not be enough especially while in the natural rainforests of Africa as you may require a physical contact with some of the mammals. I know you must have seen some of the wild animals probably even touched them but there are some rare species like the mountain gorillas which are only found in 3 countries in the world, Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a lifetime experience spending the whole day with these elegant primates witnessing their lifestyles as they feed, play and move in families. It’s a hard to forget experience that you will live to tell.

With only 900 mountain gorillas left in the world, Uganda and Rwanda have 95% of this population and this is the reason why more safaris are registered in these 2 countries annually. A gorilla safari to these East African country guarantees a visitor a chance to encounter the primates in their natural homes. In Uganda, mountain gorillas are mainly found in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga national parks and it is on record that Bwindi has the highest population of the these apes in the world. In Rwanda, they are found in Volcanoes national park easily seen as they roam about the whole park.

But have you ever asked why these primates also referred to as “man’s closest” are not scared whenever encountered by humans as they track them. The answer is simple and it is because gorillas look at people as close relatives who are harmless. This is why on most occasions trackers get a chance of touching them and also take clear photos rubbing shoulders with them without any hesitation. I personally have ever touched a mountain gorilla and felt its hairy body and also touched its human-like palms. It is a kind of experience that happens only to a few people who are adventurous and only those who visit the 3 countries where the primates are found. You may say that touching a gorilla is as simple as visiting a zoo and touching it in a cage but you are wrong. Mountain gorillas are not kept in captivity and this is why you can never find them in a zoo. The only way you can view and touch them is by personally traveling to Africa on a Safari and touring those gazetted areas where they are found.

However, rubbing shoulders with the gorillas is not as simple as you may thing as it requires some technical advice before doing it. One must know how to behave while with the gorillas before he/she can make an attempt to touch them. There are certain practices that irritate the gorillas and if not careful, a gorilla can attack you. Therefore, before you embark on a day’s gorilla tracking trip, make sure that you get briefed by a well trained guide who will tell you the “dos” and “don’ts”.