How are gorilla families-groups allocated? Gorilla trekking sounds like the most fabulous wildlife experience in Africa and a very unique experience from a game drive in the Masai Mara or Ngorongoro conservation area. Each year thousands of tourists visit Africa to see these majestic primates in the wild however, mountain gorilla trekking –tracking is an even more famous activity as listed as endangered by the IUCN. Due to their unique looks and hosting the closest DNA to humans, has attracted more publicity and visitors than their lowland cousins.
Mountain gorillas live in a group of about 30 individuals fully habituated, although not all gorilla families are open to visitors. Currently, Uganda hosts over 22 habituated gorilla groups,10 in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Where to see gorillas in the world ;
In the entire world, Mountain gorillas can only be seen in Africa between Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both found in Uganda and Rwanda safari destinations in Volcanoes national park. Note, no one can access these rare primates without a valid permit which to many seems to be expensive but worthwhile.
Uganda gorilla permits cost USD700 per person trek.
Rwanda gorilla permits cost USD 1,500.
What is the best gorilla group to track; The easiest way of tracking the gorilla family, is to select a gorilla family that fits your capability through hiking in these dense bamboo-rain forests. However, the gorilla trekking experience is approximately 30 to 7 hours depending on their movements. So you need to get in contact with reputable tour agents who will reserve for you a gorilla family you will achieve it in. For more details, the information doesn’t hesitate to contact us at Achieve Global Safaris, to get you to standardize the different gorilla groups.
Gorilla families –groups in Uganda –How to get an easier gorilla family to trek.
The gorilla groups in Uganda are found in two national parks; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi impenetrable Forest. Mgahinga has only two habituated gorilla groups Nyakagezi group. Bwindi boosts with half remaining mountain gorillas in the wild and has over 22 habituated gorilla families which are splintered in four gorilla sectors that is; Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. Each sector consists of its gorilla families. The gorilla group in Bwindi include; the Rushegura gorilla family, Habinyanja, Mubare, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguliro, Nkuringo, Mishaya, Nshongi, Kahungye, Bwenza, Busingye, Nyakagezi among others. All are fully habituated and are open for tourism.
Gorilla families in Rwanda – How are gorilla families in Rwanda allocated;
Well, Rwanda is renowned as the cleanest country in Africa and more so, Rwanda ranks the second destination with a huge number of mountain gorillas after Uganda ‘s Bwindi. In Rwanda, gorillas can be tracked in Volcano National park home to over 10 habituated groups. The travel to Volcano national park from Kigali’s capital can be accessed in only 2 hours. Rwanda gorilla groups include; Amahoro, Bwenge, Hirwa, Sabyinyo, Susa A, Susa B, Ububano, Agashya, and Amahoro. Although the Amahoro gorilla group sounds to be the best gorilla group to track and Susa A is said to be the toughest to trek but still famous among visitors because it is the group where Dian Fossey created her studies from.
Gorilla groups in Congo –Best gorilla group to track
The Democratic Republic of Congo has a few gorilla families –group ‘’8’’ and stands as a great destination where one can see both mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas.
You can decide to combine gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park with lowland gorilla trekking as well as hiking the Nyiragongo volcano. Congo gorilla families include; Bageni, Kabirizi, Lulengo, Mapuwa, Munyaga, Nyakamwe, and Rugendo among others.
The gorilla permits in Congo cost USD400 per person per day and their rates are low compared to Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda gorilla trekking permits cost USD700 and Rwanda ‘s cost UDS1,500 per person per day, How Are Gorilla Families Allocated?.
In Uganda Gorilla permits are issued by the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority’’UWA’’, Rwanda Development Board ‘’RDB’’ and Congo are issued by the Virunga National park offices.
How are gorilla groups allocated in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo
First of all, a visitor has to read information about the different gorilla families and be able to specify the one you’re to track in that selected choice of destination. Each gorilla family is led by a silverback who is responsible for caring for the family. Below are the ways how you can allocate the gorilla family;
Level of fitness; However, mountain gorillas live in the rainforest and at high altitudes on low land. One-to-one gorilla groups have to engage through difficult terrain comprised of thick vegetation, hills, and valleys. To a certain extent, some gorilla groups live far away from the starting point. Therefore, allocating a gorilla group based on how fitness you’re. Those who are not very fit in the body will be assigned to a nearby gorilla group. Before assigning a gorilla family to track, you should let the park officials know your body fitness. So that they can book the easiest trek. If you consider that you physically fit and you can feel to be challenged.
The who are disabled can be carried on sedan chairs by hiring poachers at a small rate.
Age of travelers; age is one of the key factors considered when allocating gorilla families. Younger travelers are not much troubled in trekking gorillas although those grown up in age with 60 years it is very possible to be fitter than a younger one ‘’23-year-old’’
Gorilla permits and sector of the park; A gorilla permit is a document that permits a visitor to trek a particular gorilla group. We recommend our visitors always book accommodation in the same region. They were assigned to a gorilla family, How Are Gorilla Families Allocated?.
The preference of the traveler; The preference of the traveler is put into consideration when assigning the gorilla group. However, it is very important to let your tour company know that you are targeting a specific sector. This allows the tour agent to plan accordingly.
Season of the year; Visiting in the peak season of June to Mid-September, note the gorilla permits are very difficult to find, so you are required to book in advance in order not to get disappointed. Then during the low season gives hard tusks penetrate the forest trails because the trails can be slippery and muddy. Although the accommodation becomes cheaper.
What items to carry with you; Always ensure that you carry comfortable sturdy hiking, hand gloves, long-sleeved shirts, a hat, sunglasses, a rain jacket, a sweater, and insect repellents. Well as, a walking stick, enough mineral water bottles, energy giving snacks. Not forgetting the camera, pair of binoculars and toiletries.
Note, One can be able to hire porters at the starting point of the trek to help one carry heavy luggage at a small cost.
