Here are some facts and information about mountain Uganda Gorilla, Gorilla trekking, Gorilla tours,Uganda gorillas , Bwindi gorilla trips,gorilla permits
Gorillas are one of the four species of great apes that are the closest living relations of we must try to help save these animals from extinction, in their natural habitats in Uganda.. The other three species are chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans. All great apes have arms that are longer than their legs. Great apes are not considered monkeys because they are larger, walk upright for a longer period of time, don’t have tails and have much larger, more developed brains than monkeys
Gorilla tracking in Uganda is a very captivating activity; it involves walking in the wilderness in search of these great apes. It can be a challenging activity, therefore ensure physical fitness
Uganda is ranked number one in the world as a destination to experience the thrill of a mountain gorilla safari. Bwindi
impenetrable forest national park in Uganda has been designated as world Heritage site. Today there are only 650 Mountain Gorillas left in the world, half of which are found in Uganda in Bwindi forest
These facts are vitals for people planning a Uganda Mountain Gorilla safari.
There are three subspecies of gorillas living in different parts of Africa. The differences between them are very slight.
● Western Lowland Gorilla (gorilla gorilla)
● Eastern Lowland Gorilla (gorilla graueri)
● Mountain Gorilla (gorilla berengei)
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST UGANDA:
If your interest is Mountain Gorilla Tracking Uganda, is a great place to go.
A magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, this ancient rain forest – one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age – is home to roughly half of the world’s mountain gorillas.
Looking deep into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer – but we should not let it distract from Bwindi’s broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude span from 1,160 to 2,607m.
The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black-and-white colobus, with its lovely flowing white tail, is prominent.
The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, with 23 highly localised Albertine Rift endemics present.
MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK UGANDA:
LOCATION:
Far southwest, bordering Rwanda and Congo, 14km from Kisoro town.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda. The Park covers the northern slopes of the three northernmost Virunga Volcanoes: Mt. Muhavura (4,127 m), Mt. Gahinga (3,474 m), and Mt. Sabinyo (3,645 m). The Park is about 10 km south of Kisoro and is bordered to the south by the Republic of Rwanda and to the west by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas, in the Parc National des Volcans and Parc National des Virunga respectively. The three parks together form the 434-sq. km. ‘Virunga Conservation Area’ or VCA. Mgahinga is 33.7 sq. km, just 8% of the VCA. The entire Park is in Bufumbira County of Kisoro District.
Gorilla safari
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is 33.7 sq. km and consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes. From far away, the huge cones of the virunga volcanoes dominate the landscape and beckon you as you approach. When you reach the park you can get a great overview of the area by walking up the viewpoint, just 15 minutes from Ntebeko Gate. Mgahinga Park has great biological importance because throughout the climatic changes of the Pleistocene ice ages, mountains such as these provided a refuge for mountain plants and animals, which moved up or down the slopes as climate became warmer or cooler. The Virungas are home to a large variety of wildlife, including about half the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas.
Facts about Gorillas what do Gorillas eat? What is Gorilla social structure?
Gorilla Growth and Maturation
Gestation is 8-1/2 months. There are typically 3-4 years between births. Infants stay with their mothers for 3-4 years. Females mature at 10-12 years (earlier in captivity); males 11-13 years, sometimes sooner if they assume leadership early. Lifespan is between 30-50 years.
Uganda Gorillas eat some 200 types of leaves, tubers, flowers, fruit, fungus and some insects. Favourite foods include bamboo, thistles and wild celery. Gorillas do not drink water. They obtain all the moisture they need from the vast amounts of foliage they consume. Males consume approximately 50 lbs. a day.
Gorillas live in groups of 3-30. A typical group consists of one silver back, one immature silver back, one immature male, three to four adult females, and three to six youngsters under eight years old.
Among the adult female Mountain Gorillas, there is usually a dominant female as well, who is often the silver back’s favourite and the mother of a lot of his offspring. She may be small or large and her “dominance” depends a lot on her personality and experience. When a female has a baby, her ranking usually goes up and females without babies are generally the lowest ranking of the group.
Gorilla vocalisation
Gorillas are generally quiet. They are not physically capable of making the same sounds as humans.
WARNING DISPLAY:
The unexpected appearance of a strange male in the group may cause the silver back to mount an elaborate warning display. He hoots excitedly, building to an earsplitting roar at the intruder. Then, after having risen to his full height, tearing at twigs and branches, the gorilla beats his chest with the cupped palms of his hands. He may take a few steps toward the intruder, growling and gnashing his teeth.
If this does not deter the stranger, the silver back may be provoked to charge, waving his arms and screaming with rage. The charge usually stops short of actual contact; the silver back will thrust his face right up to the intruder’s, and they will stand nose to nose, glaring at each other, until one or the other turns and stalks off.
Predators of Uganda’s mountain Gorilla
Man is gorilla’s only enemy in Uganda and any where else in the world. Because of the actions of male gorillas protecting their groups with such determination from hunters, humans developed folklore about the ferocity of gorillas. Gorillas’ defence of standing and chest beating make them a perfect target. Like all tightly knit social groups, gorillas will defend their young. They defend them with their lives
Daily Routine of Mountain Gorillas in Uganda
6am-8am: Wake-up
8am-10am: Eat
10am-2pm: Eat, play, relax, sleep
2pm-5pm: Travel 300-6,000 feet – foraging on the way
5pm-6pm: Build nest
6pm-6am: Sleep
BREEDING BY GORILLAS:
Gorillas mate year-round. The female produces one offspring about every fourth year. If her offspring gorilla dies i9n infancy, which happens 40-50 percent of the time, she will breed more frequently. A young gorilla remains with its parents three years after its birth.
Conserve the endangered Mountain Gorilla:
The mountain gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Berengie), the world’s most endangered ape, is found only in small portions of protected afromontane forests in northwest Rwanda, southwest Uganda and eastern DRC. The mountain gorilla is one of many species unique to these forests. The forests are also home to many wonderful birds, primates, large mammals, reptiles, insects and plants and also ensure continued water and medical plant resources for the local communities.
Before you go on a Gorilla trek in Uganda
Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.
Remember this before you approach the Gorillas
1) A maximum number of 8 in if trekking may visit a group of habituated gorillas in a day in Uganda. This minimizes behavioural disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.
2) Please always keep your voices low when trekking Gorillas in Uganda. You will then also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest.
3) DO NOT leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.
4) You will be taken to where the guides observed the gorillas the day before. From there you will follow the gorilla’s trail to find them. Look out for the gorilla’s nesting sites along the way!
5) When you approach the Gorillas, the guides will inform you to get ready.
When you are with the Gorillas on safari in Uganda:
a) A 5 meter distance should be observed at all times (15 feet) from the gorillas. This is to protect them from catching human diseases.
b) You must stay in tight group when you are near the gorillas.
c) Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is OK to ask the guide questions.
d) Do not eat or drink while you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases
e) Sometimes the gorillas charge. Follow the guides example (crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes and wait for the animals to pass). Do not try and take pictures and do not attempt to run away. Running away will increase the risk.
f) Flash photography is not permitted! When taking pictures move slowly and carefully.
g) Do not touch the Uganda gorillas. They are wild animals. They might look cuddly but!!.
h) The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.
i) After the visit keep your voices down until you are 200 metres from the gorillas.
Health rules for the good of the Gorillas:
a) Remember gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following are ways to minimize the risk your visit might poses to them:
b) Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
c) If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
d) If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
e) Always stay 5 metres (15 feet) away form the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
f) Do not attempt to touch the gorillas.
g) Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are with the gorillas.
h) Do not leave any rubbish (eg. food wrappers) in the Park; foreign items can harbour diseases or other contaminants.
i) If you need to defecate, whilst in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. Make sure the hole is 30cms deep and fill it in when you are finished.
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