QUESTIONS ABOUT GORILLAS, UGANDA GORILLA TREKKING, GORILLA SAFARI.
What is Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking is an activity where people go deep into the jungle searching for gorillas. Only three countries in Africa are blessed with Gorillas i.e. Uganda (Uganda Gorilla Trekking safari), Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since mainly Gorillas leave around mountainous areas. This process of seeing Gorillas was named trekking or hiking some would say mountaineering.
How much does it cost to on a gorilla trekking safari?
One to go gorilla trekking he needs to book a gorilla trekking permit in advance at National Wildlife Authorities, for example, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association (RWCA) and Wildlife conservation society (WCS) for Congo and then book for a hotel.
Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo carters for entry into the National Park, It gives you experienced ranger guides who will teach you more about gorilla facts, spend one hour with the gorillas and earn a certificate for the trek.
How much are Uganda gorilla trekking permits?
Currently, a Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs US $600. This is done in Bwindi impenetrable forests National Park and Mgahinga National Park. In some seasons, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offers gorilla tracking permits at a discounted rate. See the table below.
How much are Rwanda gorilla trekking permits?
Rwanda positioned itself as an upmarket tourist destination, all gorilla permits in Rwanda are $1500 each, regardless of whether you’re an international tourist, expat or East African residents. It’s a bit of unfair for local people but apparently, only a tiny percentage of permits were sold to locals. Rwanda does not offer any gorilla permit discounts. In Rwanda, these Gorillas are found in Parc Volcanoes National Park. Other Gorillas are found in Virunga ranges shared between Rwanda, Congo and Uganda.
How much are DRC gorilla trekking permits?
Gorilla tracking permits in the DRC are very cheap by comparison. Congolese citizens have preferential pricing but other East Africans don’t. Mountain Gorillas are found in Nvirunga National park. Below is a summary for the prices of the gorilla permits. Check the table;
| Gorilla tracking permits. Uganda, Rwanda, DRC | |||
| 2019 prices | Rwanda | Uganda | DRC |
| Tourist price (non-nationals) | $1,500 | $600 | $400 |
| Foreign residents (expats) | $1,500 | $500 | $400 |
| East African Community citizens | $1,500 | 250,000 UGX | $400 |
| Congolese citizens | $150 | ||
What is the minimum age for someone to go gorilla trekking?
In Uganda its well set that the minimum age for a child to go Gorilla trekking is 15 years though a few below the age of 15 yes can. There only two instances where the Uganda wildlife Authority can allow someone to below 15 years to trek. When the child is about to celebrate their 15th birthday. The second instance is when the child below 15 years expresses maturity and is physically strong.
What is the greatest current threat to the Mountain Gorilla?
Due to the detrimental human activities such as poaching, Civil war and Habitant destruction, these have hiked the threat levels of the Gorillas making them an endangered species. With about 790 mountain gorillas still in existence, our worries are high this is a very small number compared to the rising threats. Currently, Mountain gorillas have threatened by the neighboring communities due to the human encroachment on their natural setting.
Another major factor facing the mountain gorillas is the reducing genetic diversity. Their reproduction rate is really slow thus females get their sexual maturity when they are a decade old and above. Females reproduce once after four years. Males become sexually active when they are fifteen. And most appalling is that 40 percent of the young gorillas rarely survive during their first year.
Are there other types of Gorillas?
I will definitely answer yes. But the gorilla group is categorized into three subspecies:
- Mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei)
- Eastern lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla graueri)
- Western lowland gorillas (Gorillas gorilla gorilla).
The difference between the groups may appear small with variations only in color and size.
How many babies do female gorillas have?
Female gorillas have a terribly slow rate in reproduction. The maximum number of offspring’s they may have during the course of their lifespan is 2-6. The male gorillas normally have 10-20 offsprings but from different females.
Female gorillas attain their sexual maturity at the age of 10 years while male gorillas at the age of 15 years. Surprisingly, female gorillas make the first move towards the male gorillas for mating.
Are mountain gorillas friendly?
There are incidences where Gorillas have attacked and killed Humans but such are rare.
However much mountain gorillas are big, muscular creatures, they are taken to be intelligent, affectionate and gentle. The gorillas spend most of their time interacting, feeding, playing and aggressive in case there is an intruder in the family. They welcome humans only if they are peaceful but if any danger is sensed, they will be harmful.
Would it be possible to see a Mountain Gorilla in a zoo?
No this is not possible because Mountain Gorillas can’t survive in Captivity. They only leave in mountainous areas and only in Africa.
What is a Mountain Gorilla’s typical day like?
The mountain Gorillas spend most of their time feeding, Playing, building nests, socializing with the male silverback being the dominant. Gorillas are known to be peaceful but they become so aggressive if there is a conflict between groups.
What is the average life span of a mountain gorilla?
It is quite hard to tell their life span since they live in the wild. But they spend about 30 – 35 years before they die.
How long do baby gorillas stay with their mothers?
Gorilla babies’ mothers stay with them for quite some good years i.e for about four years. The babies weigh about 5 pounds when they are born. They also develop hair so fast compared to the human babies.
At what age do male mountain gorillas develop silver hair on their backs?
The adult male gorillas known as Silverbacks When they reach maturity, they develop the silver-colored hair on their backs.
How can I help protect the Mountain Gorillas from extinction?
You may take part in the many gorilla events organized or donate to the projects established. You may still volunteer in any organization based on the cause of protecting the gorillas.
A lot have been said about Gorillas but you visiting Bwindi, Mgahinga, Virunga and Parc Volcanoes on either a uganda gorilla trekking safari or Rwanda gorilla trekking safari will give you the exact insight about Gorillas
Below are some of our packages to Murchison Falls National Park to take on a Uganda safari tour;
3 Days Murchison Falls Wildlife Safari tours, 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Bwindi, 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale, and Bwindi, 6 Days Chimpanzee safari tours & Wildlife Tour, 10 DAYS JINJA – SIPI- KIDEPO-MURCHISON SAFARI, 9 DAYS HOT SPRINGS SAFARI AND WILDLIFE SAFARI, 7 DAYS IN MURCHISON FALLS, KIBALE, AND BWINDI , 13 DAYS JINJA – QUEEN ELIZABETH AND BWINDI SAFARI , 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale and Bwindi, 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari in uganda, 17 Days Kidepo-All Uganda Safari, 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari Tour,
Check out some packages to Queen Elizabeth National Park on a Uganda Safari
4 Days Birding safaris in Queen Elizabeth, 15 Days Uganda Birding Safaris, 18 Days Uganda Birding Safari, 7 Days Kibale, Queen & Gorilla Tour , 6 Days Chimpanzee & Wildlife Tour , 4 Days Chimpanzee & Gorilla Safari , 3 Days Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking Tour , 3 Days Queen Elizabeth Wildlife Safari in uganda , 5 Days Safari Chimps & Game viewing Tour , 6 Days Safari in Murchison Falls, Kibale and Bwindi , 6 Days Uganda wildlife Safari in uganda , 7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari in uganda , 10 Days Best of Uganda Safari Tour,
Below are some of our packages to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to take on a Uganda safari tour;
3 Days Bwindi Gorilla trekking, 4 Days Bwindi Gorilla trekking, 4 Days Bwindi Gorilla safari tours, 4 Days Mgahinga Gorilla safari, 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Safari tours, 6 Days Rwanda Uganda Safari, 6 Days Gorilla Trekking,26 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari, 26 Days Uganda Rwanda Safari tours, 7 Days Uganda Gorilla Safari tours Tracking
