Life on Earth: There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla than with any other animal I know. Their sight, their hearing, their sense of smell are so similar to ours that they see the world in much the same as we do. We live in the same sort of social groups with largely permanent family relationships. They walk around on the ground as we do, though they are immensely more powerful than we are.so if there were ever a possibility of escaping the human condition and living imaginatively in another creature’s world, it must be with the gorilla.
Embarking on a journey to meet one of the world’s most endangered species-the majestic mountain. Gorilla-is high on every wildlife lover’s bucket list. But it’s not an incredible experience that you will treasure for a life time; Money from gorilla tourism gives valuable funds to the wildlife authorities of the countries where visitors trek. This tourism income also goes directly and indirectly to local communities across the region.
Gorillas are generally the largest of the great apes, they inhabit the forest of Central Sub-Saharan Africa, they can move just on their back limbs too. They can weigh to 600 1bs and stands tall as 6ft when standing on two legs. Their diet is mainly Bamboo shoots, stem and fruits, Mountain gorillas live in extended families in the main with a dominant mature male the Silverback- female and their off spring. Many of their relatives then live I the family and the silverback can hold his leadership position for years keeping the group relatively stable.
Each female only gives birth every four to six years. The silverback is known as such because around 14years of age white hair starts to appear.
Where can you find mountain gorillas?
Gorillas are found in the moist, tropical rainforest of Africa. They are found in two isolated populations. The first in the Virunga Volcanic mountains of central Africa, with groups scattered between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The second population lives deep in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Our trips are regularly visit Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable Forests, and occasionally Maghinga in the Uganda section of the Virunga’s.
What are your likely to see on the trekking?
These animals exist in extremely remote locations, in countries not known for their tourist infrastructure, which means the logistics of a gorilla visit is a challenge in itself. To trek the gorillas you need a permit, bearing in mind how precious the gorillas are, and how few there are, the trekking permits are quite costly
The length and difficult of the trek will depend on where your family of gorilla is hanging out. Somedays they are found in 30 minutes and other days, some groups my trek for many hours and return in the dark. The trek itself often commences with a stroll through local farms before you reach fringe of the forest. You will then head into the jungle for a steady climb into the lower part of the gorilla’s mountainous home. Some sections of the trek can be quite steep through very dense {seemingly Impenetrable} vegetation at quite high a latitude.
What happens during a gorilla trek?
Each trek starts early in the morning usually with a drive to starting point. Just 8 people in each trekking group head out plus the allocated rangers who will explain the rules and who are expert at locating the gorillas. Given the location of the parks be aware also there may be security personnel on your trek or in close vicinity. There never a guarantee you will set the gorillas, on 99.9% of trek the gorillas are located, and usually they are found with in a few hours. You have a very, very good chance of seeing the gorillas. Once found, you have an hour with the gorillas as they continue with their routine -feeding and sleeping. Sometimes a group might be found in a clearing, which is a very special privilege.
The ethics of gorilla trekking.
A lot of careful research and monitoring of the Gorillas over many years has led solid body of understanding and knowledges of this special species. Informed decisions are then too also made in regard to how tourist interaction with the gorilla is conducted. In particular gorilla tourism is closely controlled via the permit system. To ensure the gorillas thrive this system without m is really important, and it is illegal to trek without a trekking permit.
There fifteen habituated gorilla families in Uganda, and Rwanda’s volcanoes, National Park has ten habituated groups. Eight permits are valuable to see each habituated group a day. The permit allows the trekkers to head out with other 7 trekkers and trained guides to see gorillas for an hour.
They are strict around this hour as the gorillas should not be exposed to humans for more than an hour a day to minimize distress and limit their exposure to diseases-even a common cold can prove serious for a gorilla, bearing in mind how close genetically the species is to human. These are world animals too and all animal lovers would want them to stay free roaming as they always have in their Afromontane Forest.
The need for continued attention and action by government agencies protected are staff, tourism,
operators, tourists and communities a like to ward off these threats and keep mountain gorilla safe in the long term is essential.
Our team at KaleKale Adventure Travels.
We have many tours where you can see the gorillas from a 3day gorilla trip all the way up to eastern and southern Africa, If you have any further queries, concerns, questions about gorilla trekking, feel free to get in touch with staff at Kale Kale Adventure Travels.
We are only happy to provide you with information, top tip and put your mind at ease with answering all the questions. Simply get in contact