What to know about Mountain Gorillas of Africa

Deep in the woody mountains of central and eastern Africa live one of the rarest wildlife and primate species the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas just as their names depict prefer living in the forested mountains. They are covered with thick black fur, which helps them to withstand the cold environment high in the mountains. They are also herbivores that entirely feed on plant vegetation as well as shoots. These primates are closely related to human beings with over 95% of their DNA similar to humans. Mountain gorillas therefore have a lot in common with humans. Just like humans, the mountain gorillas are very protective of their young ones, they live in families of their close relatives and these families are lead by the dominant male mountain gorilla commonly known as a silverback.

Mountain gorillas that are visited by tourists are normally habituated (accustomed to human being’s presence in their natural habitants). Each habituated mountain gorilla family is restricted to being visited by 8 tourists a day a measure that was put in place to ensure minimal chances of behavioral change of the gorillas and also to reduce chances of disease spreading from humans to the mountain gorillas since they have over 95% DNA similar to humans.

The three countries with the mountain gorillas charge different prices for a mountain gorilla permit. Rwanda charges $750, Uganda $600 during the peak season and $450 in April, May and November and Democratic Republic of Congo charges $500. The mountain gorilla permits can be obtained from the major tourism and wildlife organizations in any of the above countries or obtained through a trusted tour operator. Each of these countries has habituated mountain gorilla families that are open to daily tourist visitation.

When planning to visit any of the three countries for a mountain gorilla safari, one need to secure a mountain gorilla permit early enough because they are highly demanded and there are therefore greater chances of missing out in case of late bookings of a gorilla permit.

Since mountain gorillas live in the forested mountainous areas where rain fall is highly impulsive, tourists are usually recommended to go tracking during the dry season when the possibilities of rainfall in a day a less however this does not mean that mountain gorillas cannot be tracked during the wet season. The dry season usually runs from December to late March and from June to August. Despite the season, tourists goring for this great expedition are always advised to go with a waterproof jacket or raincoat because rainfall in tropical rain forests is highly unpredictable.

Other necessities that tourists are recommended to pack while going for a mountain gorilla safari in Africa include very good hiking shoes, long sleeved shirts and trousers, a good camera for photography, a sweater, insect repellants, a pair of sandals among others.

On the day of mountain gorilla tracking, tourists are expected to be at the national park headquarters early in the morning for a briefing and allocation of a mountain gorilla group and a guide. This is usually the anticipated day and the most rewarding day as tourists are led to the forested mountains a midst sightings of the different wildlife species that co-exist in the forests. Hiking to get to the mountain gorillas usually takes about 1 to 8 hours at a reasonable pace giving tourist a chance to explore the wildlife in the African jungles. One getting to the gorillas, tourists are reminded of some of the rules like keeping at least a 7 meters distance away from the mountain gorillas. Tourists are left in the presence of the mountain gorillas for strictly one hour, which is coupled with getting to know more about the gorillas and how they carry on in this part of the world.