Gorilla Habituation
Gorilla Habituation is the
process of making them get familiar to the sight of human beings. This may take
2-3 years training a group of Gorillas to be cleared for trekking by the
visitors.
When is the best time to
visit the Mountain Gorillas?
Mountain gorillas can be
visited any time of the year depending on the time you wish to have your
safari.
Uganda's climate is
naturally variable and susceptible to flood and drought events anytime of the
day throughout the year. December, January & February – Most of the south
has less rainfall, but still more when compared to June and July. It is
slightly warmer with daytime temperatures of about 28°C/82°F and morning
temperatures of 16°C/61°F. The north has a clear Dry season with little rain.
March, April & May –
There is more rainfall throughout the country during these months, with a clear
peak in April in the south. The rain makes travel more difficult since dirt
roads and forest trails used for gorilla tracking can become challenging to
navigate.
June, July & August –
June and July are the driest months in most of the south, but it can still
rain. Average temperatures hover around 27°C/81°F in the afternoon and
16°C/61°F in the morning. It will be colder at altitudes above 1300m/4265ft,
including the gorilla parks and this season is more favorable for GorillaTrekking.
September, October &
November – These months are comparable to March, April and May but, on average,
there is a bit less rain. Daytime temperatures are around 28°C/82°F.
Basing on the above
analysis of weather especially in Uganda, the best time to visit would be in
the dry season where we don’t expect heavy rains that may disrupt your trek.
Is it a Guarantee to See
Gorillas when you go for Trekking?
There is no guarantee to
see the mountain gorillas because they live in their natural habitat, though
here has not been a case of a tourist group failing to see a gorilla group
during their trek. Tracker normally go into the jungle before tourists to
locate the gorilla groups and radio their GPS co-ordinates to the park
headquarters, so when you set off on your trek with your guide, you know where
you are headed. The trackers stay with the gorillas even if they are moving.
All this is done to avoid instances of trekkers failing to meet with the
endangered creatures, the mountain Gorillas.
What Sort of Clothing
Should I Wear?
There are requirements a
number on gorilla trekking trip and here are some of them;
- Carry packed lunch and enough drinking water.
- Carry
rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and
insect repellent.
- Wear
comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.
- Put
on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds.
- Carry a camera for some
pictures and avoid using flashlight.
How much time will be spent
trekking?
The time to spent will up
on the day of your trek. Depending on how far your lodge is from the park
gates, departure can be between 06:30 and 07:00. Once you arrive you will be
briefed by the parks rangers and guides. When the trek begins, there is no
pre-determined amount of time you will spend in the forest. Time spent in the
jungle is dependent on the movements of the gorillas and where they have slept
for the night. Treks can last for 30 minutes or up to 5 hours. Once a gorilla
family has been found, you will spend an hour with them.
How much is a Gorilla
permit?
You must obtain a gorilla
permit issued by the Uganda wild life Authority for you to be able to visit the
Mountain Gorillas. Only 8 visitors are allowed to see a gorilla group per day,
secure a gorilla permit with Kjong Safaris a trusted tour operator in Uganda at
least 4 months before you intend to travel. Gorilla permits for trekking
mountain gorillas cost USD 600.00. Though the gorilla permit is intend to
change to USD 700.00 with effect from the next financial year.
What are the threats to
Mountain Gorillas?
There are a number of
threats to mountain gorillas, but the main ones are:
- Human Populations Growing: This contributes to habitat loss and human
encroachment. Mountain Gorillas already live in a limited habitat
range with human beings, this is puts their habitats under more pressure.
- Poaching:
Bush meat is sought after by
local communities as a source of protein and mountain gorillas can be
poached for their meat, as well as for traditional medicines. This
threatens the population of mountain Gorillas all the time.
- Disease: Despite the protection national parks offer,
Mountain Gorillas are still susceptible to disease. Gorilla families are
subjected to regular visits from trekkers, who can bring in diseases and
pathogens. Although we share a similar genetic makeup, a gorilla’s immune
system has not evolved to cope with human disease.
Where can they be found?
Mountain Gorillas are only
found in the Virunga Mountains in the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda in the Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park. Uganda holds over half of the total mountain
gorillas left in the world with about 500 of them residing in Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park, Bwindi is the most popular place to trek the
gorillas in Uganda.
In conclusion, so
many questions may be asked about mountain Gorillas and some questions will be
answered on site with our highly experienced guides and the game rangers.
