Is Gorilla Tracking in Uganda Safe?

Is Gorilla Tracking in Uganda Safe? With over 95% of their DNA identical to that of humans, mountain gorillas are strong, intelligent herbivores that are interesting to see in their natural environment.

Although mountain gorillas are big animals and are typically depicted as vicious, they hardly ever show off their immense power and only ever get hostile toward other silverbacks.

Large male gorillas known as silverbacks typically hold the position of dominant leader within their family. The strength of mountain gorillas, particularly the silverback, is depicted in a number of films, including the fictional King Kong. The original film, which was released in the 1930s, and the early 21st century remake both highlighted the gorillas’ kind side and their anger when they feel threatened.

Mountain gorillas are gregarious creatures that live in troop formations that include males, females, juveniles, and silverbacks. When the male reaches adulthood, he leaves the group to form his own, frequently accompanied by some of the females. With a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years, this occurs around the age of 15. The male gorillas, known as blackbacks, are 15 years old when their hair begins to turn gray.

Given that females typically give birth at age 10 and care for their offspring for four to six years, is it possible for a female to have four children in her lifetime?

It’s crucial to avoid giving mountain gorillas the impression that they are in danger or that they must defend their young from outsiders. The question of “is gorilla tracking safe in Uganda?” arises because it is necessary to protect both the gorillas and the tourists when entering gorilla territory.

The world’s four national parks—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo—are home to about 1004 of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.

Are Gorilla Trekking and Tracking in Uganda Safe?

It is customary for mountain gorillas to get up early every day and feed for up to five hours. They also take afternoon naps and usually sleep the night after sunset, when all tourists have left.

Since gorillas are highly vulnerable to a number of human illnesses, including the flu, any sick tourists are not permitted to participate in gorilla trekking for the gorillas’ protection. Doctors keep an eye on the gorillas every day, which helps them distinguish between the sick and healthy ones. The distinctive finger and nose prints of the gorillas make them easy to identify.

Half of the world’s mountain gorilla population is in Uganda, specifically in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. South Western Uganda is home to these two parks.

At 34 square kilometers, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest park in Uganda. It is primarily made up of dense forest in the Virunga Mountains, which range in elevation from 2,200 meters to over 4,000 meters. The easiest of the two parks to see mountain gorillas is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, regardless of elevation.

More than half of the world’s mountain gorillas live in the 320 square kilometer Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is generally lower in elevation than Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 2,600 meters.

Gorilla trekking

In Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga, gorilla families that are accessible for gorilla trekking are habituated, or accustomed to human presence. The process of gorilla habituation takes two to three years, during which time rangers, researchers, and scientists keep an eye on the animals.

Because rangers and tourism police are armed as a precaution, there is very little possibility that they will ever need to use their firearms on families. As a result, tourists who follow basic instructions from their guides are completely safe.

The largest source of revenue in Africa is wildlife tourism, although visitors are restricted to cars on East African plains. In Uganda, parties must walk to find their close relatives because gorillas live in a remote area that can only be reached on foot.

Although gorillas are nomadic and roam most days in search of food, guides are always familiar with the approximate region to locate a troop when gorilla trekking.

Given the importance of human life and the money that gorilla trekking generates for the Ugandan economy, security is crucial. Wildlife rangers and tourism police play a part in security, which includes protecting against more than just gorillas. In the past, rebel groups have crossed the border into Uganda, but this is currently under control.

All gorilla trekking vacations, including those that include overnight lodging, are secure.

Although tourists will travel at a moderate pace, individuals who want to undertake gorilla trekking must be physically fit because mountain gorillas dwell in deep forests, often on high slopes.

Since the gorilla habitat is strictly governed by the tourism government, individual travelers are unable to do this on their own. Everyone must be appropriately dressed, with light rain gear in their carry bags, comfortable shoes, water, and a headpiece.

A maximum of eight tourists are permitted to see each gorilla troop.

There is something that kicks in every encounter with a wild animal, even when gorilla trekking. Every mountain gorilla you’ve seen has become accustomed to their surroundings, but keep in mind that some still have erratic temperaments.

Silverbacks make a few noises when they are upset, including as grunts, which indicate that they are not satisfied with the circumstances. They also beat their chests, which is a remarkable sight that is worth recording.

It’s crucial to keep in mind the basic guidelines that guides go over with the group before they head out and to abide by them when gorilla trekking. Even a female with a child can approach the group quite closely, but it’s crucial to pause when instructed to do so and maintain silence at all times to avoid startling any of the troop.

The guidelines are straightforward, and if you abide by them, your gorilla trekking adventure will be completely secure and something that all visitors will never forget.