Lifestyle of Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi

Tourists flock Uganda to see the world’s largest primates the famous gentle giants of Bwindi the mountain gorillas.They come to see experience and do do things that points to the theory that humans were apes some mi llion years ago. Very few animals spark the imagination of man as much as the gorillas do and people who have gone gorilla tracking will tell you that the first sighting of a gorilla is simply unforgettable. Mountain Gorillas play, fight, love and basically live more like humans. Play is vital to human development and our close relatives thrive on it, too. National Geographic presenters have observed that young gorillas, from three to six years old, remind human observers of children as they spend much of their day playing, climbing trees, summersaulting, chasing one another, and swingingfrom branches – think of a kindergarten. But when they grow, everything changes and life becomes a bit more competitive on different levels. Mountain gorillas have like human beings. They live a complex political structure and like most African families, more so A sharing homeland with gorillas. Mountain gorillas live in families and each family is headed by strongest male called Sliverback. They experirnce a coup is almost compulsory to unseat a reigning alpha male, often called a silverback because of the swath of silver hair that adorns his otherwise dark fur. Sliverback male head of family,As the leader, the silverback organises troop activities like eating, nesting in leaves, and moving about the group’s two-to-40-square-kilometre home range. His elder son is always his right-hand man and the next in line to the throne. “Those who challenge this silverback are apt to be cowed by impressive shows of physical power. He may stand upright, throw things, make aggressive charges, and pound his huge chest while barking out powerful hoots or unleashing a frightening roar,” says a Nat Geo Wild presenter. But mountain gorillas are non-territorial and the silverback generally defends his group rather than his territory.” After all, he could move his family somewhere else the next day. “But when two mountain gorilla groups meet, the two silverbacks can sometimes engage in a fight to the death, using their canines cause deep, gaping injuries during the fight . The winner normally steals a couple of females, if not all, from the loser’s group. But when they grow, everything changes and life becomes a bit more competitive on different levels. Mountain gorillas have a complex political structure and like most African leaders, more so A thriving business Gorilla tourism alone attrcts people in tours and travel, while Uganda’s tourism accounts for about 18 per centhose sharing homeland with gorillas, a coup is almost compulsory to unseat a reigning alpha male, often called a silverback because of the swath of silver hair that adorns his otherwise dark fur. “As the leader, the silverback organises troop activities like eating, nesting in leaves, and moving about the group’s two-to-40-square-kilometre home range. His elder son is always his right-hand man and the next in line to the throne. “Those who challenge this silverback are apt to be cowed by impressive shows of physical power. He may stand upright, throw things, make aggressive charges, and pound his huge chest while barking out powerful hoots or unleashing a frightening roar,” says a Nat Geo Wild presenter. “But mountain gorillas are non-territorial and the silverback generally defends his group rather than his territory.” After all, he could move his family somewhere else the next day. “But when two mountain gorilla groups meet, the two silverbacks can sometimes engage in a fight to the death, using their canines to cause deep, gaping injuries,” he says. The winner normally steals a couple of females, if not all, from the loser’s group.

7 Day Uganda Itinerary to Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale Forest National Parks

7 Day Itinerary Bwindi, Queen Elizabeth and Kibale Forest National Parks Day 1: Kampala - Bwindi. This Morning, you will be picked from your hotel in Kampala at around 7.00 am and proceed to the south western part of the country. Stop at The equator for land mark photo taking and continue to Mbarara. Break for lunch on the way then proceed to Bwindi National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas. It is estimated to half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas –300 live within these boundaries shared by Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. The drive is long but enjoyable. Proceed south to Buhoma viewing the terraced hills of Kigezi Highlands once known as Switzerland of Africa. Arrival at Buhoma will be in the evening. You will then settle in at women4africa for Accommodation or at Buhoma Community Bandas for Middle and Budget Accommodation. They are all near the park offices location. Dinner and overnight as you prepare for tomorrow’s event! FB Day 2: Gorilla Tracking Bwindi Morning after breakfast with packed lunch, you will be escorted to the starting point for briefing by your guide. You will be allocated guides to track gorillas with, and then will be off to begin your adventure. A briefing from your local guides and then it’s off! The time taken and the terrain varies (1- 8 hours) this depends on the movement of these gentle giants. The thrill of meeting face to face takes away the pain of some times long and arduous trek. Each encounter is different and has its own rewards, but you are likely to enjoy the close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic and swing from vines in delightfully playful manner. After tracking, you will walk back to your lodge for overnight stay FB. You will need to carry long pants like jean type, sturdy shoes to help you hiking steep and slippery slopes, long sleeved shirts and blouses to protect your bodies from thorns and itching plants. You may not rule out raining on you and at least a rain coat is needed to protect your bodies and any equipment carried along with like cameras. Also carry insect repellants and sun cream Day 3: Bwindi to Ishasha – Queen Elizabeth park After early breakfast head for Ishasha, which is the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, carry out a game drive where you may sight tree-climbing lions. (This subject to good road if the road is bad, diversion will be made to Mweya Peninsular in Queen national park. Ishasha is dominated by acacia woodland and scrubland and features the meandering Ishasha River, banked by a riparian forest. After picnic lunch drive all the way to the northern sector of the park and check in at your Lodge Mweya Safari Lodge for Upmarket, Simba Camp for Middle or at Institute Hostel for Budget Dinner and overnight. FB. The evening will be at leisure dinner and overnight. Day 4: Queen Elizabeth National Park Early morning game drive to see more animals that habit this park, that include predators lion. leopard and other game. Over 500 bird species have been identified here, making it a Mecca for bird-watchers. They include the black bee–eater, 11 different species of kingfisher and several falcons, eagles and other raptors. Queen Elizabeth National is one of the most outstanding treasures of Uganda, and has been designated a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity under UNESCO auspices. It borders on Lake George and Lake Edward as well as Kazinga Channel in the western area of the Great Rift Valley escarpment. After lunch take a 2-hour launch cruise on the Kazinga channel. This waterway joins Lakes Edward and George and it is filled with schools of hippos, buffaloes with elephants at the banks. You are likely to meet grazing hippos, elephants, lions, spotted hyenas and leopards, bushbuck, waterbuck and stripped jackal, and of-course the several warthogs. Retire to the lodge for dinner and over night FB. Day 5 Bunyarunguru – Kibale NP/Fort Portal After breakfast you will be driven to Kyambura gorge for Chimpanzee tracking while on a nature walk. After Kyambura gorge for a primate walk where your will see chimps and other primates e.g Columbus & velvet monkeys and baboons walk out of the gorge to proceed to Kibale Forest National Park or to Fort Portal town, dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge for Upmarket, Fort Motel or Middle or at Toro Resort for Budget. Day 6: Kibale Forest – Chimp tracking After breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park famous for chimpanzee tracking. With local guides track chimps in their natural Forest in the shadows of the Rwenzori Mountains (the famed mist shrouded “Mountains of the Moon”) Kibale Forest is rich in animal life, including an astonishing 12 species of primates including chimps in this park have been recorded, the very localized red colobus and L'Hoest's monkeys. Tracking the chimpanzee our 'cousin' is a very interesting experience. The way they feed, climb trees, respond to humans, caring for their young ones leaves an imaginative dream to tell. In the afternoon visit the surrounding- Bigodi swamp or enjoy unique view of crater lakes and other volcanic features. Dinner and overnight at Primate Lodge or drive back to Fort Portal town to Fort Motel or at Toro Resort. Day 7: Fort Portal town – Kampala After breakfast depart at your leisure for Kampala. END OF SAFARI: inquiry : fredrwija@gmail.com

Where to See Mountain Gorillas

Mountain Gorilla trekking is done in Uganda and Rwanda plus few treks in Congo –Democratic Republic of Congo .Mountain Gorilla trekking is a unique adventure experience that you can do if you love traveling. Uganda is blessed with naturalforests that form natural habitat for these gentle giants of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. All these parks are famous formountain gorilla trekking in Uganda.

Thus to see mountain gorillas will be visting these parks in Uganda. In order to have a secure gorilla treking will need to book a gorilla trekking permit with tour operator like Travel Hemispheres who have arranged mountain gorilla trekking safaris for the last 20 years with Fred Bukenya a tour consultant. Also can trekk and see mountain gorillas in Rwanda at Park De volcanoes National Park and also to a limited extent in Congo because of insecurity and trekking of mountain gorillas is done at less extent. Gorilla terkking and seeing is done inside the parks in their natura habbitat . Thus will need permit to enter the park . Permision is given when you pay or buy a gorilla trekking permit issued by the park authorities in Uganda or Rwanda, In Uganda , a permit cost US $ 700 while in Rwanda a permit cost US $ 1500 per visist on single day. If you haven’t already booked your tour ahead of time, flying into the capital city of Kampala, Please email us at Travel Hemispheres we shall do it for you. Our email is : info@travelhemispheres.com you’ll be able to find plenty of tour options from our site: www.travelhemispheres.com that would love to do with us. Remember that a permit is needed so it is better if you purchase a tour as soon as possible so is the gorilla trekking permit can be acquired also in time (gorilla permits do run out as there are a limited number of permits available- first come first serve basis) Every visitor coming to Uganda would wish to get into contact with these gentle giants moreover our distant cousins( over 98$ DNA). Uganda should treats gorilla tracking as the pinnacle of the tourism industry in the country. Seeing and trekking mountain gorillas continue attracting more numbers of tourist visiting the country Uganda the Pearl Of Africa which has celebrated her 61st Independence from the colonial Master the British. This has increased passes tourist coming from UK to see these gentle giants of Bwindi.

What Does Bwindi the “Impenetrable” Forest Mean

Among the 1st clients we handled in mid 1990s to trek mountain gorillas were always disturbed by the word “impenetrable” . To their understanding was that this forest day and night is dark and no light at all even during the day remains dark. Whereby they asked us if they can come with flush light torches to use while trekking gorillas . However we allayed their fears by informing them that by the word impenetrable, it meant that there was a lot of undergrowth coming into different canopies below tall trees aged over 100 years in this forest . This undergrowth would not allow penetrating the forest easily to reach where mountain gorillas would be foraging. Hence the word impenetrable forest. Today, Travel Hemispheres has handled many people who have trekked mountain gorillas doing uganda safaris and forest trails have been developed though not permanent but trekking is a lot easier that when mountain trekking safaris started in 1990s.

Today Travel hemispheres also offer flying safaris to see and trek gorillas and road safaris all the choice is yours and based of choice and price. Thus during low season rates , people who would wish to spend less time on the road can also fly to Bwindi with schedule flight. Clients can capitalised on this to offer a three-day gorilla tracking safari with a permit and will pay US$ 2400 per person for 2 people sharing doing a flying safari to Bwindi. Clients will be staying at Mahogany Springs Lodge – a luxury facility. For overzealous clients on sight seeing can track gorillas at Kisoro side and will take advantage of seeing the spectacular Lake Mutanda and the volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains, and will stay at Nshongi Gorilla Resort. Where they enjoy good quality food and en suite accommodation. With the safari including 3 travel days, travelers will track through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest until the mountain gorillas are located, after which the group will spend one hour with the gorillas.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four habituated gorilla centers which are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Bwindi has over 400 gorillas in ss Each of these areas has gorillas families that have been habituated and opened for tourism purposes. Uganda currently has about 19 gorilla families open for tourism, of which 18 are in Bwindi Forest and another at Mgahinga National Park . Some of these gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include the Rushegura family, Mubare family, Oruzogo gorilla family, Bweza gorillas family, Nkuringo family, Bitukura family, and others. Bwindi is open for gorilla trekking all year long, and is the major activity forming uganda safaris but the best times to go are from June to August and December to February. At these times, the forest trails are drier and therefore less slippery. Also, your chance of a dry gorilla viewing experience is higher during these months. This might result in a better experience and photography will be easier. Mgahinga National Park has one habituated gorilla group that can be tracked by tourists. Gorilla tracking is the most thrilling tourist activity in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The habituated gorilla group in this park is called the Nyakagezi, which consists of 9 members, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants. Gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is open to visitors throughout the year. But it is best done in June, July, August, and September then December, January, and February. During this period, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is easier because it is a dry season and the habitat remains relatively drier thus making it simpler for visitors to hike through the dense jungles and steep slopes to search for mountain gorillas. However, March, April, May, and October, November are equally good for one to embark on gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park but these months are characterized by heavy rainfall, muddy and slippery steep slopes which make it challenging for one to hike while in search for these apes. Gorilla tracking is an intensive experience at Bwindi national park that can take the whole day. The guide leads you through the gorilla’s world, explaining aspects of their ecology and behavior along the way. We must stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT guaranteed! However, from the past sightings, there are high chances of meeting the mountain gorillas. When tracking, travelers should know that the mountain gorillas are wild creatures with no fixed routine, and finding them requires the skill and experience of your trackers and guides, as well as luck.

THE EXISTENCE AND HISTORY OF MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

THE EXISTENCE AND HISTORY OF MOUNTAIN GORILLAS The existence of gorillas in Africa’s forests like Bwindi has been known for centuries and not only to local residents. Gorillas were first described 2000 years a go when sailors from North African province of Carthage landed in West Africa and tried to capture some Apes, a bruising encounter that earned the animals the Carthaginian name for ‘scratchier gorilla’. It is not actually clear whether the visitors encountered gorilla or chimpanzees but the name has stuck.

Two species of gorilla the western lowland and the eastern lowland were identified for science in 1847 and 1877 respectively. It wasn’t until 1903 that the third sub species, the mountain gorillas was identified. This was observed to be somewhat bulkier than its lowland cousins weighing up to 210 kilograms with a shaggier coat suited to its chilly montane habitat. This sub species was named after the German officer, Oscar Von Berenge, who enabled its classification. Indeed until just a few decades ago, gorilla received a bad press that dated back to their first unfortunate encounter with Carthaginian tourists 2000 years a go. This ferocious image was deliberately perpetuated to create a myth eventually immortalized on screen Uganda is the home of mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park. Bwindi has the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world. It is also home of other primates like monkeys and other 120 mammals species like forest elephants a rare specie to see . Over 20 mountain gorilla family groups have been habituated to allow and facilitate mountain gorilla trekking safaris. Buhoma the starting point of habituating gorillas is the home of Mubare gorilla family group that opened gorilla trekking in 1993. It has given birth to other starting points within the park where more gorilla families have been habituated. Today statistics are indicated that over 400 gorillas are found in Bwindi park. The park is also home of many bird species, over 360 bird species are found here. Over 200 butterflies species are also found here. Over 300 tree species are also found in this park Bwindi impenetrable National park is found in the south western part of Uganda on the edge of Great Western Rift Valley.By area is 331 square kilometers in sizeand on an altitude of over 1100meters above sea level. Gorilla trekking is the main activity taking place in the this park. Over 5 points or call them centers park offices have been deloped to allow gorilla trekking start from different points. And these include Ruhija, Rushaga, Shongi, Kisoro and many more . Nature walks also take place to explore the forest what more it offers. Bird watching trails have been developed and give much to birders. Nature walks in the park will offer viewing other primates found this park, bird watching and catching views of waterfalls and pre historic trees in this forest.

What is Gorilla Trekking Experience

Gorilla trekking started in 1993 in Uganda at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Then the company I was working for was the first to arrange clients to go and trek mountain gorillas of Bwindi national park. Gorilla trekking as requirement you need a gorilla permit and in Uganda a permit today cost US$700.00. You need to have slept near as trekking and briefing start at 8.00am form park offices. Originally gorilla trekking started from Buhoma where the original park offices were established to oversee all activities going in the park. Today the park has many points of starting from as many gorilla family groups have been habituated to allow many tourists in single day to trek mountain gorillas in their natural habitat of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. Other than Buhoma , Ruhija, Rushaga, Kisoro, Nshongi Have been established and are starting points for gorilla trekking safaris. What is gorilla trekking experience? Gorilla trekking involves walking and hiking hills and valleys of the Bwindi terrain that make Bwindi park as you follow the foot steps of gorillas in their natural habitat with park rangers. Gorillas live in family groups and after each day’s work and feeding they make nests where they will sleep and spend the night. By following them it means that will first reach where they slept and then follow their footsteps as the feed until you come close to them. Usually you are allowed to leave few meters away from them and are give 1 hour to watch them as the feed and juveniles play while the Sliverback is taking a close watch on the new comers if you are likely to cause any harm of if your friendly. You are allowed to take photos and record videos but do not use flash cameras as flash my disrupt the peace of gorillas and tempt them to behave differently. Bwindi is dense tropical forest with different canopies and with lots of undergrowth. Hence impenetrable forest. Just for fun I remember in our course of arranging gorilla trekking expeditions then , some tourists would ask us if they can carry torches in their packaging to help them again in daylight to enter into Bwindi impenetrable forest and then there torches would help them to provide the flash lighting in order to recognized and see properly mountain gorillas in their habitat . However we allayed their fears that by being impenetrable meant that there were thick undergrowth that makes it impenetrable and did not need light but some tools like pangas , slashers to create way so that you can easily reach where gorillas are foraging at that particular day and spend an hour to have nice views while taking snaps video taking photo shooting. So Bwindi Forest by Nature has got many canopies that will not allow sunlight easily penetrate to reach the ground where mountain gorillas could be. Iworked for the company which arranged 1st gorilla trekking safaris at Buhoma Bwindi in 1993. after i ccme up with Travel Hemispheres Uganda safari company. Travel Hemispheres started in 2004 and we have lots of experiennce to handle you let it be budget, mid range, upmarket or luxury safaris .Our niche in safari arrangement experience is unsurpassed