Frequently Asked Questions on Gorilla Trekking Safaris

Frequently Asked Questions on Gorilla Trekking Safaris -Uganda & Rwanda

Frequently Asked Questions on Gorilla Trekking Safaris: Mountain gorillas are one of two subspecies of the eastern gorilla, gorilla Beringei. Mountain gorillas are classified as endangered, with an estimated 1004 individuals in two groups as of 2018. One population resides in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, while the other dwells in the Virunga Mountains– in three nearby national parks: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park.

Mountain gorillas have resemblances to humans. They live, walk, eat, and go about their everyday lives in groups. These close-knit family groupings are led by a mature male Silverback, who chooses where the group will eat and sleep and has several rights, including the right to feed first. Mountain gorillas are a peaceful species that communicates through a range of vocal sounds.

What makes up a gorilla group/family?

For the longest period, gorillas have been observed moving, living, and forming families, also known as social groups. A ‘troop’ is another name for a gorilla group, which often has 10-15 individuals or more. Each gorilla troop is led by a silverback, an adult male gorilla tasked with defending the troop at all costs.

What makes up a gorilla group/family?

A gorilla family is a reasonably stable cohesive structure that maintains gorilla species together via long-term ties formed by adult men and females. A gorilla troop, with a few exceptions, consists of more adult females than males.

What are the dominant types of gorilla groups?

There are three dominant types of gorilla groups include; Natal group, Male-female groups and the Bachelors groups.

Natal Group

This is often a social group into which a single gorilla is born. Males and females may remain in their birth groups for the rest of their lives, which is uncommon. Those who are unable to remain in their natal group typically disperse to form other groupings.

Male-Female Group

This is the most prevalent type of gorilla family, comprising of a mature silverback and adult females with their offspring.

Bachelor Group

These are mostly lonely male gorillas that move alone from time to time in search of a chance to recruit females from other groups in order to start their own family. If any of these men is unsuccessful, he may travel around until he succeeds. The bachelor group teaches male gorillas the leadership qualities they will need to govern their own gorilla family. Bachelor groups, like male-female groups, are led by a dominant male silverback.

What is the hierarchy in a gorilla family?

A gorilla family’s hierarchy is significant, as it exists among both male and female gorillas. The adult male silverback is typically dominant over the others and makes decisions such as where to sleep and feed. Although there may be numerous adult silverbacks in the group, they may serve in group protection as well as dispute resolution, Frequently Asked Questions on Gorilla Trekking Safaris.

Females, on the other hand, have a hierarchy based on age as well as duration of time in a group. A young female, on the other hand, may grow in status if the dominant male is very interested in her. Alternatively, some variables, such as having a child, may alter the hierarchy among female gorillas, where females with babies are normally at the top.

What is the role of each member in a gorilla group?

Silverback, dominant male

The mature silverback is responsible for guarding the gorilla family at all costs. It also chooses where the group will eat and sleep. It has advantages like as the right to feed first and to mate with the females in a group, among other things.

 Older Females

These are normally in charge of both producing and breastfeeding babies. Mature female gorillas have motherly duties in the gorilla family as well.

Juveniles

These are generally the younger infants, and their job is to keep the group active and entertaining.

How are gorilla groups formed?

Mountain gorillas establish groups for a variety of reasons, the most prevalent of which being the dispersal of a natal group. This happens frequently following the death of the male silverback, which leaves the group without a leader if the males in the group do not accept responsibilities, Frequently Asked Questions on Gorilla Trekking Safaris.

How are gorilla groups named?

A variety of variables are frequently used to name gorilla groupings. Most notably, some gorilla families have been named after the dominant male or the location where the group was first seen. Other gorilla families are named for their creation history, group location, and so on.

Gorilla groups in Uganda.

Uganda has roughly 18 habituated mountain gorilla groups, 17 of which are located in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and one in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, Nsongi, Bikyingi, Rwigi, Katwe, Mucunguzi, Bushaho, Mukiza, and Kyaguriro are among the gorilla families studied in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

They are situated beside four main trailheads (sectors) that visitors may utilize to monitor the aforementioned gorilla families, which include Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. Visitors to Mgahinga National Park can hike with the Nyakagezi gorilla family.

Where to go on a gorilla safari in Rwanda and Uganda?

Mountain gorillas may be found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in southern Uganda and is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

The park is home to around 400 mountain gorillas, accounting for about half of the world’s total population, as well as 18 habituated mountain gorilla groups that can be followed. Mgahinga national park, on the other hand, is located in southern Uganda. The park is home to around 80 mountain gorillas, including one habituated gorilla family.

In Rwanda, however, unforgettable gorilla safari adventures take place in the Magnificent Volcanoes National Park, which now has more than 15 habituated gorilla groups, which include the following; The Igisha group (Susa B), Pablo gorilla group, Kurira group (Susa A), Gushimira group, Kwitonda group, Umubano group, Titus gorilla group, Agasha gorilla group, Amahoro gorilla family, Hirwa gorilla group, Karisimbi gorilla group, Bwenge gorilla group, and Isabukuru gorilla family among others.

In conclusion; Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda may be done at any time of year, whether it is low season or high season. The months of June to August and December to February are ideal for visiting a mountain gorilla family in Uganda. This is because the tracking routes are not too slick during the aforementioned months, and the gorillas are simple to identify, as opposed to the rainy season, when gorillas like to find cover in the trees and are difficult to spot.