Seeing mountain gorillas greet each other can be rare, but it has been recorded that gorillas greet each other by touching their noses together and sometimes even embracing each other.
There are 22 distinctive common sounds that gorillas make to communicate different feelings.
Gorillas mainly use vocalizations to communicate with one another, and the silverback is the one that often makes these vocalizations.
Newborn baby mountain gorillas use various vocalizations to communicate with their mothers, such as crying, whimpering, and screaming.
Gorillas also use all their senses, just like human beings, including smelling and hearing, touching, and much more.
Silverbacks can emit a very specific scent that can be detected from several meters away by other members of the group, alerting them to danger without making any noise.
Adult gorillas can use about eight vocalizations in an hour, especially while traveling to keep track of each other’s whereabouts.
These vocalizations can be classified as grunts, barks, hoots, and many other variations. Gorillas also use body postures and facial expressions to indicate their moods.
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekking has become one of the most sought-after activities in Africa, with thousands of tourists coming every year to encounter their close relatives.
The most commonly trekked species of gorillas are mountain gorillas found in Virunga National Park in Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – the best place for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking requires hiking for several hours in montane rainforests where gorillas live, and once you find a gorilla family, you are given a period of an hour to observe and take photos.
When preparing for gorilla trekking, you must carry waterproof hiking boots, garden gloves, plenty of drinking water, insect repellent, long and warm-sleeved clothes, and above all, be physically fit as some families move deep into the higher elevations of these forests.
Gorilla Permits
The cost of trekking mountain gorillas will depend on the country where you obtain your permit. Uganda charges $700 for gorilla trekking, Rwanda charges $1500, while Congo charges $400 during the peak season and $200 in the low season.
Permits must always be purchased in advance, preferably 3-6 months in advance, especially during the peak season.
Gorilla FAQs & Information
- Why Can’t You Look or Make Eye Contact with a Gorilla?
- Why Silverback Gorillas Fight
- Importance of Mountain Gorillas
- What to do when a gorilla charges on you
- What is The Largest Species of Gorillas?
- What is a Group of Gorillas Called?
- What is the Mountain Gorillas Role in The Ecosystem?
- The Mountain Gorilla Defense Mechanism
- How to Provoke/Annoy a Gorilla
- Do All Gorillas Become Silverbacks?
- Do Gorillas like Humans
- Do gorillas Eat of Kill Their Babies?
- Do Gorillas Eat Humans?
- Can you Tame a Gorilla
- Can you Own a Gorilla?
- Do Mountain Gorillas live in Families & Groups?
- How to Protect & Save Mountain Gorillas
- Why Gorillas Are So Strong
- How Many Humans Does it Take to Beat a Gorilla?
- How do you call a Baby Gorilla?
- How Do Gorillas Sleep?
- How Mountain Gorillas Communicate
- The Gorilla Life Cycle
- Do Gorillas drink water?
- Are Gorillas friendly & gentle to humans?
- Why do Apes, Gorillas beat their chest & sound hollow?
- Gorilla Threats: Why Mountain Gorillas were endangered?
- Why were Mountain Gorillas going extinct?
- What is a Silverback Gorilla?
- Gorilla Species: Different Kinds/Types of Gorilla & Breeds
- Mountain Gorilla Diet
- Mountain Gorilla Size, Average Height & Weight Measurements
- Natural Mountain Gorilla Predators
- Mountain Gorilla Population
- Lifespan of Mountain Gorillas
- Mountain Gorilla Natural Habitat
- Mountain Gorilla Conservation Efforts
- Mountain Gorilla Behavior
- How to Survive a Gorilla Attack on Humans
- Are Gorillas Dangerous to the People
- Why are Gorillas Poached in Africa
- How Gorillas Adapt to Rain-forest Environment
- Interesting Facts about Mountain Gorillas in Africa
- Traits, Qualities & Characteristics of Mountain Gorillas
- How Strong is a Silverback Gorilla?
- Best Place to See Mountain Gorillas in Africa
- Uganda Gorilla Families
- Rwanda Gorilla Families
- Congo Gorilla Families