2024 Fun facts about Mountain gorilla trekking: Mountain gorilla trekking in 2024 has been one of those popular activities done by most people visiting Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The activity mostly done in the dry season takes you to the mountain gorilla habitats to have an hour moment with these mighty apes.
To help you appreciate this experience a bit more. Here are some 2024 fun facts about the mountain gorilla trekking experiences.
Activity is done all year round. This mountain gorilla trekking activity is done all year round in the different habitats. We know most people think it’s only done in the dry season but it’s also done in the wet season and both experiences are unique, splendid, and amazingly fulfilling. Most of all you get to enjoy the mountain gorillas.
The gorilla trekking permits are priced differently in the different countries. Uganda gorilla trekking permits cost USD 600, Rwanda USD 1500, and the Democratic Republic of Congo USD 400.
The four gorilla habitats have a total of about 1063 gorillas combined, with Uganda having the most of that population. The four gorilla habitats are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the democratic republic of Congo, Bwindi National Park, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.
Mountain gorilla trekking experiences take about 6 to 8 hours with 1 hour spent in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
Gorillas are some of the biggest animals in the world weighing between 180kg and 90kg for adult gorillas.
The gorillas share about 90% of their DNA with humans hence the similarities in behaviors with humans
Mountain gorillas are herbivores and they spend almost up to 6 hours eating. 85% of the gorilla’s diet is leaves, shoots and stems, roots, larvae, snails, ants, and barks.
Mountain gorillas live in groups of 10 – 30 individuals. These groups are led by a dominant male called a silverback. Who leads females and their young ones?
Mountain gorilla trekking experiences are done in groups; a group of 8 people visits one gorilla family.
You book your mountain gorilla trekking trip way in advance, about 1 to 3 months in advance. This helps the authorities to plan and get things ready for you.
The mountain gorilla trekking experiences are only done during the day. So, all your expenses will be during the day
You can choose to have a mountain gorilla trekking experience with other top-up activities in the destination you are at, but always know the trekking experience may be hectic and may not allow you to do anything else.
Apart from seeing the gorillas, other things done in a mountain gorilla habitat are bird watching, butterfly viewing, and tree exploration among other things. So, on your gorilla trek, try and enjoy every moment.
At Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park, you get a trekking certificate after the trek.
It’s only people 15 and over who can do the mountain gorilla trekking activity.
You don’t need to be athletic to do the mountain gorilla trekking activity, you just need to be physically fit and healthy enough to endure a long walk in the forest.
If you are sick or weak or suffering from any communicable disease, you will not be allowed to trek because that’s the rule. Also, because gorillas share DNA with humans you can easily spread the disease to the gorillas: so, to prevent that you are not allowed to trek.
The trekking equipment for mountain trekking includes hiking boots, gloves, long-sleeved clothing, and natural-colored clothes.
These are some of the fun facts about Mountain gorilla trekking, but there are many more facts on this amazing experience.
