Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of Apes inhabiting the Virunga mountain ranges of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo. They can be trekked from any of the national parks found in the countries.
Mountain gorillas share 98% DNA with humans just like Chimpanzees and bonobos making them human close relatives, gorillas also have unique nose prints significant to each of them just the way humans have thumb prints identical to them.
Mountain gorillas have adapted to their environment with thick and long fur found in their bodies enabling them to live in cold temperatures. The mountain gorillas’ big predators are humans and leopards. Disease outbreaks also affect mountain gorilla populations because they have low birth rates.
Importance of mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas are so important in that without mountain gorillas that consume lots of vegetation as food in a day, there would be disruption in natural method of food chain and this could affect other animals in the area.
Gorillas are very important to the people living near the mountain gorilla habitat in that they gain a lot from eco tourism when visitors come from all over the world to visit the famous apes. Countries where gorillas are trekked earn a lot of income from gorilla trekking annually.
Gorillas are also very important because they disperse seeds in the rain forests in which they live in creating spaces where seedlings can grow and replenish the forests. This is beneficial to humans as well because they depend on that regrowth to sustain the environments.
Mountain gorillas are also very important for the study of the great family of Apes, including humans, they are also important for sustainable tourism.
Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking can be done in Virunga national park in Congo, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda. The activity provides unforgettable life time experience in Africa which always starts in the morning and can take about three hours to find the gorillas depending on their location, after finding the apes you will be allowed to observe for a period of one hour.
Gorilla habituation
Gorilla habituation can be done at Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda, gorilla habituation is the process of making mountain gorillas get used to human presence before they can be accessed by tourists. You can join rangers and researchers in this process which takes 4 hours in the presence of mountain gorillas. The cost is $1500 per person.
What to carry for gorilla trekking or habituation
When planning to go for gorilla trekking in Africa, you will need to carry good hiking water proof boots, garden gloves, rain coats, warm and long sleeved clothes, insect repellents, drinking water, energy giving snacks, sun screens and so much more.
In conclusion you should endeavor to follow the gorilla trekking rules and regulations; you will also need to obtain permits in advance. Mountain gorilla trekking national parks also have other tourists activities you can do like volcanic climbing, wildlife watching and birding.
Gorilla FAQs & Information
- Why Can’t You Look or Make Eye Contact with a Gorilla?
- Why Silverback Gorillas Fight
- 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 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
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