Deep in the jungles of central Africa live some of the most endangered apes – the mountain gorillas. These animals much as they are wild are among human’s closest relatives with over 95% of their DNA similar to humans. Currently, the mountain gorilla population remaining on the planet is estimated at 900.
There are two known populations of Mountain Gorilla, both of which occur in protected areas (national parks). One population occurs on the extinct volcanoes of the Virunga Massif along the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and Uganda within the Virunga National Park of DRC, the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and to a lesser extent the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda.
A separate population of Mountain Gorillas is found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwest Uganda, on the border of DRC (UNEP -WCMC & WWF, 2001).
Would you like to see the mountain gorillas? Gorilla trekking can be taken in the forested mountains of Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks located in southwestern Uganda, Virunga national park located in southeastern DRC and volcanoes national park located in northwestern Rwanda.
Today the mountain gorillas are estimated to be more than 900 left in the wild, clinging on in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, Volcanoes bamboo forested slopes of Rwanda and in the Virunga Massif where, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo meet.
For once the gorillas are coming back the only primate species anywhere in the world that is increasing in number every year in all areas of their locality. From the first gorilla naming ceremony to the current, the Rwanda Development board administrator said that over 161 gorillas have been born leading to the increase of gorilla number to an estimate of 600 gorillas living in both Rwanda & Congo. This was established during the 2015 Kwita Izina (gorilla naming ceremony) in Rwanda.
Mountain Gorilla Tracking
For over the past 20 years, gorilla tourism has been developed in the Virungas and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The huge majority of foreign tourists going to Rwanda, Uganda or Democratic Republic of Congo go for a gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda and it’s very amazing to take on a trip to multiple destinations across all the countries.
After realizing the importance of the gorillas, the major governments of the three countries that host the mountain gorillas have worked hard to ensure conservation and have so far they have registered success. Today, mountain gorillas are the core wildlife attractions in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC and offer great and unforgettable wildlife safari experiences to the tourists.
The Mountain Gorilla Experience
Every morning, a group of 8 tourists gather at the national park headquarters of any of the mountain gorilla national parks for a briefing before heading to the jungle to meet the gorillas in their most preferred homes. After the briefing, the tourists are led by guides as they trek through the forested mountains in search for the gorillas. This trek ranges from 30 minutes to 8 hours and on getting to the gorillas, tourists are given an hour to discover more about these incredible animals. This hour is usually the most anticipated moment and indeed offers great wildlife experiences to the tourists as they take photographs to capture the memorable times.
Mountain gorillas can be trekked at any time of the year however remarkable experiences can be had during the dry season. Mountain gorillas are wild animals that one should not miss out while on an African wildlife safari in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC.