Uganda Gorilla Tours

• Mountain gorillas.

Just like humans, gorillas have emotions like laughing and crying as they share about 98% of their DNA with humans. Similar to tribes or cultures, gorillas also have different species which are mainly characterized by where they come from.

Uganda’s species is called a mountain gorilla which is a subspecies of the eastern gorillas. Just like their name suggests, these huge gentle creatures enjoy roaming in dense thick forests and mountains with altitudes that are 800 to 1300 feet.

These gorillas attain a height of 4 to 5.5 feet while standing on their two feet and an average adult gorilla weighs about 480 lbs. The majority of mountain gorillas stay in famous Virungas ranges and others wander in the thick forests of Bwindi impenetrable national park. These individuals live in families that have about 8-15 members although a family of 30 members once lived in history.

Mountain gorillas are highly endangered species therefore there are several rules and regular that have been put in place to protect the lives of the rare gems.

• • Tourists with communicable diseases like flu and cough are not allowed to engage in trekking as they can easily spread the disease to mountain gorillas.
  • Cameras with flashlights are highly forbidden. This is because gorillas are shy and private individuals hence wouldn’t want to be disturbed and distracted by the light.
  • If the need arises and a tourist needs to ease themselves, they are supposed to dig a hole that is at least 30 Cm deep, and the waste is properly covered to prevent the gorillas from coming into contact with it.
  • Tourists interested in gorilla trekking should be more than 15 years of age.
  • It is key to note that tourists are not supposed to shout while in the presence of the gorillas or attempt a sudden movement as this might scare them.
  • Tourists should leave a distance of about 5 meters and above while they are enjoying the views of the animals.
  • Tourists are not allowed to eat or smoke in the presence of the gorillas and at distances of about 200 meters away from the gorillas.
  • If it is inevitable to cough and sneeze, it is advised that tourists look away from the gorillas and endeavor to cover their noses and mouths.
  • Tourists should know that it’s prohibited to spit on vegetation and soil while in the park.
  • It is paramount for tourists not to litter the park and anything of the sort should be properly disposed of off the grounds of the park.
  • Above all the rules, it is better to follow all the rules and regulations set by the guides than cause trouble to the wonderful gems.

Uganda has two mountain gorilla national parks in which the gorillas can be caught sight. Bwindi has the highest number of gorillas with four amazing sectors in which they roam around while feeding.

1. Rushaga sector.

Rushaga sector is found in the southern part of the park and has 10 gorilla families available for trekking every day.

2. Nkuringo sector.

Just close to Rushaga, Nkuringo is also found in the southern region with 4 habituated families. It is easily accessed from Kisoro town and from Uganda-Rwanda boarder at Cyanika.

This amazing thick green sector boasts having four gorilla families and it presents the most complicated hiking trails.

3. Ruhija sector.

Ruhija is found on the eastern part of the park, just close to Lake Bunyonyi and Kabale town. This park is also easily accessible from Rwanda’s Katuna border. It has four habituated gorilla families.

4. Buhoma sector.

Buhoma is blessed to be the headquarters of Bwindi national park and boasts six habituated gorilla families. These are; Habinyanja, Mubare, Mubare, Muyambi, Katwe and Rushegura.

Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation are similar activities as they both involve hiking through the thick forests to have a glimpse of the wondrous mountain gorillas.

It is very vital to maintain the peace of amazing apes that’s why groups of small numbers are maintained. However, while a group of 8 individuals is permitted for gorilla trekking, only four members are allowed for gorilla habituation in a group.

Gorilla habituation is a 4-hours experience unlike gorilla trekking which lasts only one hour.

Tourists who are interested in experiencing behind-the-scenes and enjoying more hours with these amazing mountain gorillas should surely book a gorilla habituation tour in Bwindi National Park.

The activity offers tourists a chance to capture the moments of these gorillas for some good hours more than the sixty minutes spent during gorilla trekking.