Mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park

There are about 1080 mountain gorillas remaining on earth and more than a half of the remaining population is found in the tropical forests of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The other mountain gorilla population is found in Mgahinga national park, volcanoes national park, and Virunga national park.

Mountain gorillas are species of primates said to be closed relatives to human beings since they share 98% human DNA. Mountain gorillas stick to a vegetarian diet where they eat roots, stems, fruits, wild celery, bamboo, pulp, and tree bark. Mountain gorillas have thicker fur which is taller than that of other gorillas and this has enabled them to live in cold temperatures.

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park spend most of their time looking for what to eat, build nests in the afternoon hours where they will sleep, the mothers feed and take care of the infants, and the young ones are always seen climbing trees. Mountain gorillas live in groups of 2 to 20 individuals that are led by silverbacks. The silverback controls and rules the group and is also the one to mate with all the females in the group. When the ruling silverback dies, the family may be disrupted unless there is another silverback to take over the leadership of the group.

Gorilla families in Bwindi gorilla park

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has the highest number of gorilla families in the whole world. The mountain gorillas of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park are 21 and are found in 4 sectors of the park which are Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Buhoma. Each of the sectors has its own gorilla families.

Nkuringo sector has Nkuringo gorilla group, Bikingi gorilla group, Bishaho gorilla group, and Christmas gorilla family. Rushaga sector has Mishaya gorilla group, Nshongi gorilla group, Bweza gorilla group, Kahungye gorilla group, Busingye gorilla group, Rwigi gorilla group, and Mucunguzi gorilla group.

Ruhija sector has bitukura gorilla family, kyaguriro gorilla family, oruzogo gorilla family, and Mukiza gorilla family. Gorilal families in buhoma sector are katwe gorilla family, habinyanja gorilla family, muyambi gorilla family, katwe gorilal family, and rushengura gorilla family.

Gorilla trekking activity in Bwindi Forest

Watching mountain gorillas of Bwindi gorilla park

Encountering mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park is done every day within the park. The activities start with a briefing at the different sector offices early in the morning at 7 pm. On the day of gorilla trekking, the trekkers will wake up early in the morning and have breakfast before being transferred to the park headquarters for a briefing from the park wardens.

At the park headquarters, the trekkers are taught about the rules and regulations of the trekking or habituation activity. Those going for habituation are grouped not exceeding 4 and those going for trekking are grouped not exceeding 8. Armed ranger guides lead all the treks in the jungle and locating mountain gorillas take 2-7 hours of passing through different vegetation covers, meeting different park mammals, primates and birds.

When the trekkers meet the mountain gorilla family they have been looking for, those trekking will be given 1 hour to be around the apes while those habituating will be given 4 hours to be with the mountain gorillas. In the time given, the trekkers are able to learn about the gorilla behaviors, watch them do daily activities, take photos and make them get used to human presence.

How much does it cost to see Bwindi gorilla park mountain gorillas?

Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi gorilla park: Gorilla trekking permits are those documents that allow a tourist to be part of the trekking activity and encounter mountain gorillas for 1 hour. The gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi gorilla park cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and shs250,000 East African citizens.

Gorilla habituation permits in Bwindi gorilla park: Gorilla habituation permits for Bwindi gorilla park allow tourists to be around mountain gorillas for 4 hours and are sold to persons above the age of 15 years old. The gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 foreign non-residents, $1000 foreign residents, and shs750,000 East African citizens. There are only 8 gorilla habituation permits in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park since only 2 gorilla families are undergoing habituation.

Packing list for Gorilla trekking safari

Packing list for a gorilla safari in Bwindi gorilla park

Things to include on a gorilla safari to Bwindi gorilla park include pack waterproof hiking shoes, gardening gloves, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved clothes, a rain jacket, insect repellents, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a drinking water bottle, energy-giving snacks, a hat, sunscreen, face mask, sanitizer, and first aid kit.

Best time to encounter mountain gorillas of Bwindi gorilla park

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park can be seen at any time of the year but there are moths that are better than the rest. The drier months from June to September and December to February are the best to encounter these mountain gorillas. This is because during such months, there is little or no rainfall that makes leaves the trekking trials dry, vegetation is always short with clear views of the park animals, and the roads leading to the park are passable.

Tourists can also encounter the mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park in the rainy season from March to May and October to November to enjoy huge discounts on accommodation facilities. During the rainy season, there is plenty of rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is short with unclear views of the park animals and the roads leading to the park are impassable.

Accommodation on a gorilla safari in Bwindi gorilla park

Accommodation in Buhoma sector: Buhoma Lodge, Engagi Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Ride 4 women Guest House, Silverback Lodge, Buhoma Rest Camp, Haven Lodge, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge.

Accommodation in Rushaga sector: Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, and Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge.

Accommodation in Nkuringo sector: Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Mutanda Eco Community Centre, Nshongi Camp, Crested Crane Bwindi Hotel, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, and Virunga Campsite

Accommodation in Ruhija sector: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Gorilla Mist Camp, Broadbill Forest Camp, Agandi Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Cuckoo Land Tented Lodge, Ecomarvels Gorilla Lodge, and Trekkers Tavern.