About Mountain Gorillas, the mountain gorilla is one of the two sub species of the eastern gorilla. On the IUCN Red List, it is listed as an endangered species. The total population is estimated to comprise of 1,004 individuals as of 2018 census. Mountain gorillas are tremendously social and live in groups of 2 to 40 led by the silverback, a dominant male that is the chief leader and protector. The majority of males leave their biological group around 11 years old. Some move alone and others travel with other males for a few years until they attract females to join them.

The silverback leads the group to the best spot for feeding and resting throughout the year. Generally, conflicts are resolved through standoffs and intimidating behaviors meant to frighten intruders away without causing physical harm. However, almost 10 times stronger than the biggest American football players, a silverback protects its group from attacks by humans, leopards, or other gorillas—even if it means sacrificing his own life.

The female usually gives birth when she turns 10 and has offspring every four or more years. Newborns are weak and weigh only about four pounds. Their first movements are awkward, like a human infant, but they develop almost twice as fast. Infants nurse and are gradually weaned after they turn three when they are more independent. Mountain gorilla infants have been a principle focus for poachers.

Their diet is made up of more than 10 different species of plants. These great ape favors celery, thistles, wood, and roots. And it rarely needs to drink since it gets most of its water from the plants it consumes.

Where can I see mountain gorillas?

Mountain gorillas can be seen in their natural habitat in only 3 African countries. One population lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the other in the Virunga Mountains in three adjacent national parks: Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Uganda

Uganda is a home to over 500 mountain gorillas, which is half of the world’s population, making it an ideal destination. There are 18 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, 17 live in Bwindi impenetrable national park and 1 life in Mgahinga national park. Some of the gorilla groups include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguliro, Nshongi, Mishaya, kahungye, Busingye, Bweza, Nkuringo, of Bwindi and Nyakagezi of Mgahinga.

Gorillas in Bwindi are split into four regions, which are Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east Nkuringo and Rushaga in the southern section of Bwindi Forest. The Uganda gorilla permit is relatively cheap, costing $600.

Rwanda

Known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is a luxury gorilla trekking destination with the gorilla permit costing $1500. The gorillas live in volcanoes national park and is a home to 10 habituated groups which are all open for trekking. Rwanda gorilla groups include Igisha group (Susa B), Kurira group (Susa A), Amahoro group, Umubano family, Karisimbi family, Sabyinyo group, Kwitonda group, Hirwa family, Agasha family, Bwenge group, Titus group, Muhoza family and Pablo family.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Virunga national park is a home to 8 gorilla habituated gorilla families. D.R Congo is the least visited destination due to high insecurity threats associated with tourist kidnaps and killing of park rangers. The Congo gorilla permit costs $450. Gorilla families in Congo include Rugendo, Munyaga, Mapuwa, Lulengo, Kabirizi, Bageni, Nyakamwe, and Humba gorilla families.

How many mountain gorillas still survive in the wild?

The mountain gorilla is one of the most animals in the world and one of the most endangered. The new census reveals the surviving mountain gorilla population has now risen above 1,000. This represents a rise of 25% since 2010 in its heartland of the Virunga Massif in central Africa. It also marks success for intensive conservation work in a region riven by armed conflict, and where 6 park guards were killed.

What is the best time for gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is an all-year-round activity. The best time to trek gorillas is during the dry season, which runs from December to early February and june to September. This is the best time because less rain is expected in the forest.

Gorilla trekking involves moving through forests for more than 2 hours, hiking some hills and highlands in the parks, depending on the location of the gorillas that day.

Trekking gorillas during the wet season is possible but a bit challenging. The trails get wet, muddy and slippery, which is tiresome for some trekkers. During the wet season, rain can be expected any time while in the forest, which really does make the experience enjoyable for most trekkers.

Can persons with disabilities trek gorillas?

Mountain gorillas live in mountains at altitudes above 2500 meters and the trek takes from between 3-6 hours. The older, less mobile and physically disabled people have always found gorilla trekking difficult due to the steep hikes and long hours of trekking.

Trekkers with disabilities can either use sedan chairs which is carried by 4 porters or a stretcher. This can be hired at the park headquarters at $300 or more depending on various factors like; time spent in the forest, distance, weight of the client. This way, the person is carried to the hills on the forest and gets a chance to watch the gorillas in their natural habitat.

What are the chances of seeing mountain gorillas?

Chances of seeing mountain gorillas on any trek in any of the destinations has been put at 95% meaning that chances are so high that when you pay that highly priced gorilla permit, you will see these gorillas.

On the trekking day, trackers go into the forest ahead of the group to look for the gorillas. They will keep in contact with your park ranger guide and direct him/her of where the gorillas are as they follow them. So, the chances are so high.

How much does a mountain gorilla weigh?

Gorillas are the world’s largest primates, with males weighing around 143-169kg and standing about 1.4-1.8m tall in the wild. Females tend to be 20-30cm shorter and weigh roughly half what the males do. A male gorilla’s armspan is enormous, stretching 2.3-2.6m, while female gorilla’s armspans are proportionally smaller.

The world’s largest gorilla in the wild weighed 267kg when it was shot in Cameroon, but it wasn’t as tall as another silverback gorilla that was shot in Congo in 1938. That silverback stood 1.95m tall, measured 1.98m around the chest, had a 2.7m arm span and weighed an impressive 219kg. In captivity, gorillas have reached even greater weights, sometimes in excess of 310kg.

What do gorillas eat?

Gorillas are mainly herbivores, and their diet mostly consists of bamboo, fruit and leafy plants, though western lowland gorillas also eat small insects. Adult gorillas can eat up to 30kg of food each day. As roaming herbivores, gorillas play a vital role in seed dispersal. Many large fruit trees depend upon these animals to survive.