Trekking to see the endangered mountain gorillas is one of the bucket list trips you must do in your life. This is one most popular activities for international travellers who visit Africa – Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Mountain gorillas are the major reason as to why very many people visit these three destinations, because nowhere else they can be found in the wild.
Best Gorilla Volunteering Programs
If you would like to do something special there is also the option to volunteer and help these majestic creatures.
About Gorillas
The gorilla is the largest and most powerful primate. Gorillas live in Africa, in tropical or subtropical forests.
There are two species of gorillas: Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Gorillas have long arms and are covered with brownish hair on most of their body. Adult males can be over 6 feet tall and weigh up to 500 pounds. Female adults are often half the size of an adult male.
Frequently portrayed as aggressive, dangerous killers, gorillas are intelligent and shy. They are not aggressive animals. Unfortunately, gorilla populations are decreasing; they are in danger of extinction.
Gorilla Facts
- Gorillas live about 50 years in captivity; their life span in the wild is about 35 years.
- Gorillas are very intelligent and can learn different complex tasks.
- Adult gorillas have 32 teeth.
- An adult male gorilla eats approximately 50 pounds of food a day.
- Gorillas’ hands have five fingers, including an opposable thumb.
- Like humans, gorillas have individual finger prints.
- Gorillas and chimpanzees are the only animals able to knuckle walk.
- Grooming one another is a major occupation among gorillas in a troop.
Behavior
Gorillas are primarily terrestrial. They are social diurnal animals, living in groups called troops. Each troop has 5 to 30 gorillas, led by one silverback.
A silverback is an adult male gorilla; the hair on his back turns gray with age. Silverbacks are the strong, dominant troop leaders. Gorillas communicate with each other using complicated sounds and gestures. Gorillas are usually shy and inoffensive animals. Only when provoked or threatened, the gorilla will beat its cupped hands against its chest in an attempt to intimidate intruders.
Gorillas are herbivores. They eat leaves, fruits, seeds, plant bulbs, and flowers. Gorillas spend most of the day resting and eating. Gorillas do not drink water. Each evening, gorillas build nests in trees where to spend the night.
Reproduction
Female gorillas reach sexual maturity after 11-12 years. The gestation period is about 8-9 months. One offspring is born, as twins are very rare. Infants stay with their mothers for about 3 years. There are 3-4 years between births.
How to Help Mountain Gorillas
This is a tricky question on a table, but the common factor here is that all mountain gorillas in these three countries are living in the forests! Actually almost in the same environment.
So comparing these three countries couldn’t sound great to many, although there is some key information any traveler would need to know before choosing a gorilla trek destination either in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo.
Besides the mountain gorillas, Uganda is home to a lot wildlife compared to the two countries; you can visit Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park or see other primates in Kibale Forest National Park.
When to Go
Mountain gorilla volunteer programs can be joined all year in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo but due to some damp seasons experienced by the national parks where these gorillas stay, the majority of travellers prefer visiting from June to September, as well as from December up to February.