Gorilla population in Bwindi
Gorilla population in Bwindi: The population of mountain gorillas in Bwindi keeps on increasing with the increase in the number of new births this year and in the past years. The current population of mountain gorillas in Bwindi is estimated to be 574 mountain gorillas. The gorilla census in Bwindi is done with the help of trackers, rangers, veterinarians, and conservationists that are always divided into teams that move to different parts of the park for a certain period of time lets 2 weeks that move through the different trekking trails of the park counting mountain gorillas.
Calculating Gorilla population Bwindi gorilla park is not an easy task for it needs one to be physically fit because the participants spend 12 hours in the jungle looking for mountain gorillas. The people going to take part in the census are always trained for about 4-5 days on how to count gorillas, and use electronic devices for accurate data entry.
Mountain gorillas in Bwindi are seen in 4 sectors of the park which are Nkuringo and Rushaga in the south, Buhoma in the north, and Ruhija on the eastern side of the park. Each sector has a different population of mountain gorillas like Rushaga has the highest number of mountain gorillas in the park. Some of the mountain gorillas in Bwindi have been habituated e.g Nkuringo has 4 gorilla families, Buhoma has 4 gorilla families, Rushaga has 9 gorilla families and Ruhija has 4 gorilla families.
Gorilla population in Bwindi
There are 19 fully habituated mountain gorilla families and 2 semi-habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi which means the park has 21 gorilla families. These mountain gorilla families are found in different sectors of the park which are Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga. Each of the mountain gorilla families in Bwindi is trekked by 8 people while the semi habituated gorilla families are trekked by 4 people only. For any traveler to encounter any of the mountain gorilla families in Bwindi they need a gorilla trekking permit
Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest pause for a picture
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi.
Gorilla trekking is the main activity done in Bwindi and different tour packages are available to only people of 15 years and above and has a gorilla permit. The activity is done in all the sectors of the park early in the morning where participants gather and listen to park wardens who teach the trekkers about the rules and regulations of the trekking activity.
Armed ranger guides lead the trekkers on different trails of the park while searching for mountain gorillas. To meet the assigned mountain gorilla family can take 2-7 hours but as soon as the mountain gorillas are located, trekkers are given 1 hour to be around the gorilla family, watch the members do daily activities, learn about their habits, take photos and record videos.
Gorilla permit price for Bwindi
A gorilla permit is a ticket that allows you to encounter bwindi gorillas in Bwindi so without it, you won’t be allowed to see the gorillas. The gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi are bought from the Uganda wildlife authority at a fee of $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX250,00 for citizens of East Africa. The gorilla habituation permits do cost $1500 for foreign residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UGX750,000 for citizens of East Africa.
How and where to buy gorilla permits for Bwindi?
Gorilla permits for Bwindi can be bought from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted local tour operator. To buy a permit, you will have to contact Uganda Wildlife Authority or any trusted local tour operator via email. You need to include the dates of the month and year you want to travel and this information shall be used to check for the availability of the trekking permits. Once the permits are available, you will be sent an email containing the price of the permits and different banking details to use when sending money. When you have sent money and they have been notified or when you send a scanned copy of the receipt, your permit shall be booked.
Gorillas find gorillas in Bwindi Forest after following their trail
What is the best time to see gorillas in Bwindi?
Bwindi gorillas can be seen at any time of the year because the park is always open however there are certain months that are better than the rest. The dry months are good to see the bwindi gorillas of Bwindi because they are characterized by little or no rainfall that keeps the trekking trails dry, the vegetation is thin with good views of the bwindi gorillas, and the roads leading to different sectors of the park are in good conditions.
Travelers can still visit Bwindi gorilla park in the rainy season of March to May and October to November in order to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. Travelers should however note that in the rainy season, the trekking trails are muddy and slippery, the vegetation is too much grown with unclear views of the bwindi gorillas, and the roads leading to the different sectors of the park are in poor conditions.
What to pack for a gorilla trek in Bwindi?
For you to have a successful gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi, you need good waterproof hiking shoes, cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, gardening gloves, a hat, sunscreen, a rain jacket, sweater, insect repellents, sanitizer, face mask, first aid kit, light backpack, drinking water bottle, and energy-giving snacks.
