Gorillas have a unique genetic code that is surprisingly similar to humans, with a DNA match of 98.67%. They live in families bound together for life, dominated by a male silverback.
However, despite their similarities to humans, gorillas prefer not to be interfered with in their natural habitat, especially when humans pose a threat to them.
It’s challenging to determine whether gorillas actually like humans, given that they are wild animals.
Gorillas can become accustomed to human presence and can be observed in their day-to-day activities in their natural habitat through the process of habituation.
Gorilla habituation involves making gorillas acclimate to human presence, a process carried out by rangers and researchers who visit a particular gorilla family daily for a period of 2-3 years.
Once gorillas successfully pass through a habituation exercise, they are considered open for trekking.
In the wild, mountain gorillas typically do not exhibit any liking for humans unless they have undergone habituation.
Even then, it may not be accurate to describe their behavior as liking humans; rather, they become comfortable with human presence.
Before the habituation process, a gorilla family may often feel threatened and may even charge at humans.
However, there are cases, such as at the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage in Virunga National Park in Congo, where the gorillas have become so accustomed to their caretakers that they interact and play with them.
This orphanage was established to care for orphaned gorillas rescued from poaching.
The behavior displayed by these gorillas towards their caretakers suggests that gorillas can develop some level of comfort or familiarity with humans.
Still, it should be noted that they are wild animals, and their behavior can change unpredictably.
Gorilla Trekking
If you have a fondness for mountain gorillas and wish to have a memorable encounter with these close human relatives in their natural habitat, then an African gorilla trekking is a must.
During this adventure, you can spend one hour in the presence of these magnificent apes.
You can choose to trek mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
Gorilla Permits
Gorilla permits are priced at $700 in Uganda, $400 in Congo, and $1500 in Rwanda. Given the high demand for gorilla trekking, it is advisable to book your permits well in advance, preferably 3-6 months before your planned travel date.
You can obtain permits through the governing board of the respective country or a trusted travel company.
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
- How Gorillas Greet Each Other
- Do All Gorillas Become Silverbacks?
- 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