Booking this 7-days wildlife and primate tour in Rwanda means you are among the few people on earth who have …
Are you a primate lover, student, researcher, explorer, honeymooner or family out for mountain gorilla trekking? Look no further than Africa, countries of Uganda (the Pearl of Africa), Rwanda (the land of a thousand hills) and the Democratic Republic of Congo. For first timers, gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting activities that entails searching for human’s closest relatives, the mountain gorillas that share 98% of human DNA in the lush vegetation spread across the Virunga chain of Mountains that cover three countries of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda. You will embark on a hike for unspecified period, walking through hills and valleys, while traversing the foliage and encountering other different primates and unique bird species. Researchers show that there are two unique species of mountain gorillas living around the Virunga Mountains, feeding basically on foliage and some insects at times. These have well-built bodies, with the ability of both running and climbing a tree branch, their arms are longer than their legs, locomotion by knuckle walking and sustaining their weight using their curved fingers. The park rangers testify that these creatures are always seen very active early in the morning and transfer from one place to another for a nap.
You will track a gorilla family also known as a troop composed of approximately 8-10 members, led by a dominant silverback who is responsible for the troop's security, harmony, and social interaction. Tracking activities in all the destinations commence with a pre-trekking briefing, conducted by a knowledgeable park ranger who will show you some documentaries, verify your documents and make known the dos and don’ts of Gorilla trekking while with the gentle apes, such as; no littering the place, obeying the 7mtr distance from the family, no making noise and using flash less cameras for taking photos. Up to a total of eight people, aged fifteen years and above are allowed to track mountain gorillas per day in a different tracking destination. Charges differ from one country to another, with Rwanda topping at 1500usd, followed by Uganda at 700Usd and the Democratic Republic of Congo Charging 400Usd. However, during the low seasons (September, November, April, and August), a discount is normally given. The proceeds from these permits are used for conservation purposes and supporting the neighboring communities in terms of infrastructural development and different projects. The best time to have a mountain gorilla trekking safari in Africa is during the months when there is no or very little rainfall. This is normally in December to February or June to early September. The reason is simple; no rain, the primates are easily exposed, the Jungle is transparent, the ground is firm hence no danger of sliding because of slippery grounds among others.
Booking this 7-days wildlife and primate tour in Rwanda means you are among the few people on earth who have …
In this 5 days wildlife and Gorilla tracking safari in Uganda, you will encounter what the wilderness has for long …
In this 5 days Rwanda gorilla and chimpanzee tour, there will be fun and amazing exploration, a fascinating spectrum of …
On this 4 days double gorilla tour, get ready to experience the mountain gorillas in the two sectors of Bwindi …
This 4 days tour is talking you to the world’s greatness only in the two national parks of Uganda, Bwindi …
This 2 days’ mountain gorilla trekking takes you to the land where silver meets gold; Mgahinga national park, located in …
The three days’ gorilla tour, takes you to one of Uganda’s smallest national park found in the far south west …
This offer presents to you an unforgettable 3day experience in Volcanoes national park, one of Africa’s prime safari destinations. You …
This 2 days’ gorilla safari is going to take you to one of Rwanda’s most visited national park, Volcanoes national …
This 2 days tour from Kigali will take you to Bwindi impenetrable national park for a mountain gorilla experience. Bwindi …
After glancing at the body sizes of mountain gorillas, you believed your thoughts and imaginations might be on how tough the Mountain Gorillas are. But to confirm to you, Mountain Gorillas are very shy and hate when people look straight into their eyes, they tend to fume, but when you show them that you have lost, they relax. Never show them that you are frightened or you want to attack them because this makes them worried thus searching for any possible defense mechanism. When this happens, stand your grounds, look to the ground and stand or squat at one place, they leave and move.
Occasionally, a fight tends to erupt among them, this is an unforgettable experience for any tourist who has to do nothing, but relaxes and watches the free action movie in wilderness. Additionally, other activities in Africa include a boat cruise, birding, game viewing, cultural encounter, city tours, hiking and camping safaris among others. Mountain gorilla trekking is a lifetime activity for everybody aged 15years and above, done in any of these three countries in Africa; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Book your gorilla trekking permit today!
Here are some of the items you have to equip yourself with as you plan to have a gorilla trekking safari in Africa; the trekking permits, medical documents, garden gloves to protect your hands from thorns and scratch, pair of trousers and long-sleeved shirts, warm clothes if need be, good hiking boots to handle slippery grounds, a professional camera for amazing photos, Binoculars to get far objects and water container to carry drinking water. You will be informed of more items as you book for your trip, we advise that you do bookings six months in advance.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda. The good road network, transportation system, security, and hospitable natives make Rwanda every amazing destination have your gorilla trekking safari that leaves you with a lifetime memory, no worries at all, as your safety is guaranteed. Gorilla trekking is the prime tourist activity, attracting thousands of tourists globally. This is done in the famous Volcano national park, situated in the northern part of Rwanda, from Kigali City.
Thank the good work of the Researcher Dian Fossey whose contribution has made it possible for people all over the world to visit different gorilla families seeking asylum in this great destination. Some of the families here include; Susa gorilla group, Karisimbi Gorilla group, Umubano gorilla Group, Kwitonda Gorilla Group, Sabinyo gorilla group, Hirwa gorilla group, and Amahoro Gorilla group among others. The park that spans through a 160sqkms of Lands is known for hilly topography though easy to hike, green vegetation and very cool climate.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda. Known as the pearl of Africa, Uganda is an amazing destination for mountain gorilla trekking, it is a host to half of the world’s Mountain Gorilla population in the world, residing in two separate destinations namely; Bwindi impenetrable national park reported to be having a specific species of mountain gorillas and Mgahinga national park, both located in the southern part of the country. The Bwindi impenetrable national park covers approximately 207sqkm of land, with four separate sectors, namely; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors, with some of the notable groups of mountain gorillas being the Mubare family, Bweza family, Nshongi family, and Bitukura family among others. A total of over 17 families have been recorded.
Mgahinga is the other amazing Gorilla trekking destination in the Universe, situated in Uganda, and hosting reportedly two Mountain Gorilla families, though, the very first one being the Nyakagyezi group. Those who have visited this wonderful destination testify to how easy Hiking is and how exciting the Group is. They are ever together, feeding, playing or relaxing as the giant dominant silverback watches over the Territory
Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo. Located in the central part of Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the finest mountain gorilla trekking destinations in the world, yet charging the lowest price on her gorilla tracking permits. Gorilla trekking activity is done in Virunga national park, one of Africa's oldest national parks, which was once interrupted by rebel activities, and now has returned strong, with various tourist activities, amazing accommodations and highly competent security guards. You have an approximately 95% chance of finding this gentle apes while in a tracking session in the Virunga jungles through the guidance of experienced park rangers who know the different places these creatures love. However, it is important to be physically fit to navigate through the thick bushes as first as possible, with cameras and Binoculars, properly positioned for work.
Want to know about the Mountain Gorillas? Their origin? Body size? Social structure? Feeding? Habitat? Or vocalization? We get you covered. Mountain Gorillas are one of the unique primate species living on the planet. There are over 1000 individual mountain gorillas hosted in the Virunga chain of maintains that sprawl through the three African countries, Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their genealogy is connected to the ancient Apes and monkeys which originated from Arabia and Africa during the commencement of the Oligocene era, about 34million years ago. However, the fact that the storage of the fossils are not clear, its evolution remains a mystery.
Approximately, nine million years ago it is believed to be the period when some primates separated themselves from the ancestor with the Chimpanzees and Humans, when the world noticed the rare Genus Gorilla species, traced from the Proconsul Africanus. For roughly four thousand years, the Mountain Gorillas have not united with their counterparts, the eastern lowland gorillas who separated from the western Gorillas roughly three million years ago. Before separating the Mountain Gorilla species into two; "The Gorilla gorilla" and "the Gorilla Beringei" in 2003, the taxonomist, Colin Groves had suggested that all gorillas be deemed as one species; gorillas are specified into three subspecies namely; Gorilla gorilla beringei (the mountain Gorillas), the gorilla gorilla gorilla (western Lowland Gorillas) and the Gorilla gorilla graueri (the eastern Low land gorillas).
Interestingly, the name Beringei which is given to the mountain Gorillas is derived from Captain Von Beringei, who shot two but managed to retrieve one Ape in October 1902 as he was establishing the German East Africa boundary. He took the ape he had rescued to the Berlin zoological Museum where Professor Paul Matchie identified it as a new type of Gorilla thus giving it the Name; Gorilla beringei after the person who discovered it. Following this discovery, Carl Akeley, The American Museum hunter requested Albert 1 of Belgium to launch the Albert National Park, present day Virunga national park to conserve these creatures.
In 1959, George Schaller starts his 20-month study of the Mountain Gorillas where he published two books namely; "The year of the Gorilla" and "The Mountain Gorilla", spelling out the ecology, lifestyle, and history of these gentle apes, thus leading to the fame of the creatures. Forward to 1967, an American researcher, Dian Fossey arrives at the Virunga region in Rwanda to carry out her research and protect the endangered Mountain Gorillas. She fought against poaching activities, conserved the mountain gorillas and set up the Karisoke research center. This contributed to the increase of Gorilla population, and the possibility of gorilla trekking today; unfortunately, the cruel poachers had to kill Dian Fossey later in 1985 who rests together beside her Gorilla friends in Volcanoes national park, Rwanda. You can read or watch Dian Fossey’s contributions in her book and movie, "Gorilla in the Mist".
Mountain gorillas reside around the Virunga Mountains in different national parks namely; Mgahinga National park and Bwindi impenetrable national park in southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Northern Rwanda and Virunga National park in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. When you closely observe the mountain gorillas, you will notice a black ring around their iris, dark brown eyes, their arms are longer than their legs, each of them has a unique nose, thick and long fur that makes them comfortable in cold temperatures, curved fingers, the adult males have a bonny crest, powerful muscles, height of 150cm, and weigh 195kgs.
The adult males are called Silverbacks due to the silver-like lining on their back, whereas the young males are Black Backs due to the backlines on their back. Only one dominant silverback has authority in a group, and he governs until the time he is overthrown. A gorilla family usually comprises of 8-10 or more members. Records show that the heaviest silverback recorded weighs 267kgs, the hair on their back is shorter than in any part of their body, the height of 5ft, and 1.98m chest. Adult Females give birth 3-4 times and have the duty of nursing their young ones. Nevertheless, they can climb tree branches in search of what to feed on. The mountain gorillas feed on leaves, bamboo shoots, roots, fruits, stems and flowers among others; however, these are supplemented with ants and snails. They feed early in the morning, and late afternoon before taking a rest in their nests where young ones share with their mothers. The Apes are also highly vulnerable to human illnesses such as flue, cough, and move from one area to another each day.
Mountain gorillas live in groups of 8-10 or members, led by a trusted dominant silverback that is in charge of the entire troop, settling disputes, offering security, and shelter. The adult males and females have a strong bond that helps them leave in harmony and maintain order. There are roughly three or more black backs that are in the group, together with several mature females and young ones. When the female dies or gets lost, the silverback takes charge of the young ones, but when the male dies or gets lost, chances are that the family is dissolved, unless there is a trusted silverback to takeover. Young ones are allowed to play, somersault, and jump from one tree branch to another.
It is believed that the mountain gorillas have over 22 recorded sounds, with most of them used during social interaction, warning, or celebration around the jungle. While tracking, you will listen to the barking, grunting, screams, roars, and belches among others. Don't be moved into thinking that mountain gorillas are very tough because of their Body sizes, they are shy and very gentle and all you need to do is to avoid provoking them by shouting or looking straight into their eyes because they will charge at you. Secondly, when two families meet, expect a fight by the two dominant silverbacks that are defending their family.
Do mountain gorillas charge? Yes, mountain gorillas are some of the primates that can charge, and some of their reactions seen from a charged gorilla include; tearing and slapping vegetation, hooting repeating, beating their Chest, thumbing the ground using their palms, scattering vegetation, kicking in the air, figurative feeding, and running on two limbs, among others. However, when you encounter this, don't run, shout or cry, look down, and give distance. In conclusion, mountain gorillas are very interesting creatures, with approximately 98% of humans like DNA and behaviors, found only in East Africa - Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.
