A minute spent in Africa’s tropical forests is always a moment turned into a memory due to the experience with over 1000 mountain gorillas living in the wild. What a great experience with these spectacular primates! Mountain Gorillas reside in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda), Volcanoes NP (Rwanda) and Virunga NP (DR Congo). Gorilla habitats are limited to national parks in two regions in Africa. One section is in Bwindi impenetrable N/Park of Uganda and the other section being in the three parks of the Virunga mountain areas in DRC, Uganda and Rwanda. These are the Best Places to see Gorillas in Africa
Mountain gorillas are social animals that work in groups of about thirty members per group. Every group is led by a single alpha male and an older silverback. The silverbacks trace their name from the silver stripe developed on their back as they mature. They are strong, shy and aggressive once threatened; they beat their chests angrily while grunting and roaring led by group leaders taking charge of the threat. Mothers fight around the clock to protect their babies. The groups are made up of old males (about 12 years old), younger males, juvenile females and infants. Like any other family head, the silverbacks are responsible for order, decision making, scheduling feeding trips, resting time and travels.
NOTE; Female mountain gorillas carry one or two babies at a time and can start producing at the age of ten i.e. bearing between two and six offspring in a lifetime.
MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP and Mgahinga Gorilla NP are the two gorilla trekking spots in Uganda. Gorillas do not abide by the political rules and regulations when it comes to movement thus a number of them cross to the Congo and Rwandan side however, Bwindi remains a home to a multitude of them.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Commonly referred to as the place of darkness because of its dense treetops, Bwindi impenetrable forest is an old 128 square miles montane and lowland forest that was named UNESCO world heritage site due to its magnificent biodiversity.
Gorilla tracking in the park is carried out in Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo sectors, all the areas owning about eighteen families as of December 2018. Tracking permits have to be bought before tracking through Uganda Wildlife Authority or any legal tour agents. A company of UWA guides is a sure deal whereas eight people are permitted to track at ago and must be above fifteen years. Tracking happens any time of the day depending on the direction taken by the gorillas. Annual permits can also be secured in advance.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mgahinga gorilla national park covers three of the eight peaks of Virunga i.e. mount. Gahinga, Sabyinyo and Muhabura. Mountain Gorillas are the major attraction of this area much as there are other numerous fauna and flora. Nyakagezi is the only habituated gorilla group that can be visited by tourists in Mgahinga comprising of nine members; two female adults, one juvenile, two infants and four silverbacks.
MOUNTAIN GORILLA DESTINATIONS IN RWANDA.
Wonders appear on Rwanda’s adventure menu; over one hundred bird types and wildlife are restricted to Rwanda’s park. It is a theatre of dreams! Only 8 visitors are permitted to glance at each gorilla family per day under the guidance of tour guides who dedicate their time to respond to a number of questions.
Volcanoes N/Park.
Also known as Parc National des Volcans, the Volcanoes National Park is located in Rwanda’s northwestern region. It protects steep rain forested slopes of Virunga which are a home to rare mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The Virunga slopes offer a gigantic experience as one views the nature of almost quarter of the world’s total population of mountain gorillas.
Driving from Kigali international airport to the park takes three hours; dare not to miss the supernatural experience with the gorillas.
MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN D.R. CONGO.
Swamps, steppes to the snowfields of Mount. Rwenzori (over 5,000m altitude), lava plains of savannah on Volcanoes slopes are just a few of blessings offered by the 790,000ha Virunga National Park. In addition to the above, 20,000 hippos and birds from Siberia spend their winter in the rivers nearby.
A good number of mammal species, birds, reptiles and amphibians contribute to the beauty of Virunga NP. No wonder, the park is considered Africa’s most bio diverse protected area having a third of world’s mountain gorillas. It also provides habitat to more than 4,000,000 people affected by conflict. AS your plan for your African adventure, you hope you are now well versed with best Places to see Gorillas in Africa
