Gorilla Trekking

Gorillas are one of the conserved prehistoric survivors of the ice age period. During Gorilla trekking, one may wonder how a these gentle eyed species of primates survived. They live in the thick Bwindi forest which is one of the surviving natural forests in Uganda. When you take a Uganda tour, you need to know about how to behave while you are in front of these apes.  They are quite shy and are vegetarians. They are highly sociable peaceful animals that can only react when disturbed. They live in families that are led by a dominate silverback which is the overall controller of the group. The male Mountain gorillas are twice the weight of the females and in most cases it is the eldest male that heads the group. The male mountain gorillas mature at the age of 13 years as compared to their female counter parts who mature at the age of 8 years but go shopping around different groups to find their actual partner. When they get pregnant, they Female mountain gorilla becomes loyal to the male. This is the brief introduction about the gorillas.

I n case you pick interest in Gorilla Tekking in Uganda, you need to make earlier Gorilla trekking booking at least 6 months before your trip. This is because there are very many people who book Uganda Tours and these include Gorilla trekking. What is surprising is that these apes are found in only 3 countries in the whole world that is Uganda in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park, Rwanda in Volcanoes National park and DR.Congo. But Gorilla trekking trips are common to Uganda and Rwanda because in the Congo there is political instability.

When in Bwindi national park, you have to rise up early and prepare for your day’s adventure. Head to the ranger station for briefing from the ranger guide who will inform you about the behaviour of the Mountain Gorillas. Later in the day, he will lead you into the forest to begin searching for these gentle eyed apes. They are very mobile in that they keep moving form one place to another as they search for food but they do not move for a long distance because of their bulky bodies.  This trek is quite tedious because you really don’t know where they spent there night.  On the way, you will be entertained by other primates like the baboons, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and so much more.

The moment you spot these apes your ranger guide will advise you to take at least 7 meters away from them because they are wild animals. Take some of their photographs and watch the sheer size of the male as he shows off his majesty over other family members. Return to your lodge and relax after the hike.  This is one of the wonders embedded in a Uganda Holiday.