A family in the wild, united and happy; gorillas make a forest one of the most exciting destinations in the world, a perfect choice for unwinding stress, making discoveries, laughing and wonder, as your eyes meet and connect, speaking deep into the inner man, and reawakening all the five senses. Thanks to the conservation efforts by experts like Dian Fossey who sacrificed to protect and preserve these rare creatures; what the world adores and loves, films and talks about unconditionally. Giving them names in their different destinations though not sure if they know of it; the answer to that question is got after an encounter with one of the most exciting gorilla families in Virunga National Park; Mapuwa Gorilla family.
Mapuwa Gorilla Group is one of the gorilla families in the vast Virunga national park of Democratic Republic of Congo; one of the five homes of the rare yet endangered mountain gorillas found only in the continent of Africa. Other destinations are; Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park in the Republic of Uganda, and Volcanoes national park in Rwanda. The park has passed through hard times, but still emerged stronger with the Gorilla families increasing in size and Number, and visitors flooding each year.
It is not alone in the Jungle; Mapuwa Gorilla Family shares its space with these groups; Lulengo group with 9 members, Muyaga family with about 7 members, Nyakamwe family with about 12 members, kabirizi family with about 19members, Bageni family is the largest group with about 26 members, Humba gorilla group with 10 members, and Rugendo Group with about 18 members. Time and again, gorillas reproduce or split to form other families, so the figures can change at any time.
Gorillas have a strong social setting, with the full authority of the Group assumed by the silverback, whose responsibility is to cause order and discipline in the group, but also prove he is the most powerful, and strong. Each night is spent in a different territory, where they find fresh foliage and comfort. They are shy, but fearlessly respond to any form of attack, from humans and animals, making different sounds, tearing leaves, running around their territory, and standing on the four legs, but still observing and making sure each family member is very safe.
Find Mapuwa family at the Jomba region near Bunagana of Virunga national park; by the Congo-Uganda boundary. In 1998, a silverback named Mapuwa, born to the Rugendo family split with two adult females (mafaze and Jichi) to create his own family. A group he expanded by fighting other groups to snatch their members. This he did in both hard times and good times, with great determination to the time of his death. The group is made of over 22 family members, led by a dominant silverback by the names of Mveyekure.
Tracking this group starts early in the morning with a pre trekking briefing at the park headquarters with the park rangers who will explain the tracking rules, plus verifying your documents. A mention of rules to be aware of before, during, and after an encounter with this family are; watch hands while in the jungle, keep a 7-8 meter distance from the apes, don’t make noise, ask the rangers consent before doing anything, don’t litter the park, spend a maximum of one hour with the apes, proper waste disposal and don’t use the flashlights while taking photos.
Depending on your speed and the direction they have taken, you might spend about 1-6 hours. Interestingly they are so exciting, and the region they are found is not so high.
For as long as you are aged 15 years plus, with no transferable illness, then you are eligible to track this rare group. The tracking permits; a compulsory document is just at 450 USD, per person per day. This money is channeled to the conservation efforts, payment of the park rangers, and many more.
Mapuwa Gorilla family can be tracked all year round, though the most ideal months run from June to October and December to February. Consider these while packing; good hiking boots, warm clothes, a hut, gloves for the hand, long shirts and a trouser, a yellow fever vaccine certificate, a good camera, a visa, a passport, and a valid tracking permit.
The Mapuwa gorilla group is one of the most exciting gorilla families in the vast Virunga national park; one of the oldest national parks in the continent of Africa. They play, feed, and draw nearer to visitors.
