Adventure Consults is happy to share good news from the jungles of Uganda. Two new Mountain Gorilla families were successfully added to the habituated Gorilla groups available for guests to visit.

In a statement released by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the number of Gorilla families available for tracking has increased from fifteen to seventeen. The two new groups, Katwe and Christmas, have successfully joined habituation. The Katwe Mountain Gorilla family is in the Southern Sector of Bwindi National Park while Christmas family is in the Northern more popular Buhoma section.

The addition of these Gorilla families allows sixteen extra permits to be issued daily.  Gorilla trekking rules limit the number of people visiting each Gorilla family to eight per day.  More permits are good news for Adventure Consults and our wonderful clients and partners planning trips to Bwindi. Gorilla tracking begins early in the morning and each permit allows access to the Gorillas only once.

Located in Uganda and spanning the stunningly, undulating Southwestern hills known as the  ‘Switzerland of Africa’, is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bwindi is home to the largest population of Mountain Gorillas and is one of only two places in Uganda where tourists can see the few surviving gentle giants.  Our Awesome Apes Uganda is a flying trip to see the amazing Gorillas of Bwindi.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is split into 4 sectors each with 3 or more habituated Mountain Gorilla families residing there and are:

  • Rushegura, Habinyanja, Mubare and Katwe families in the Buhoma sector.
  • Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguriro and Mukiza in the Ruhija region.
  • Bweza, Nshonji, Kahungye, Busingye, Mishaya and Bikingi in the Rushaga sector.
  • Nkuringo, Bishabo and Christmas in the southern sector of Nkuringo.

Through hard work and dedication, we can also report that the Nyakagezi Mountain Gorilla group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has settled. As a migrant family, Nyakagezi moves between the volcanoes of Rwanda and Uganda; but for over a year now Nyakagezi has happily remained on the Ugandan side. Could the vegetation be more delicious? Come visit and find out on one of Adventure Consults’ Tailor made trips.

Spending time with Mountain Gorillas in the wilds of Africa’s impenetrable rainforests is an experience of a lifetime. Tracking them on foot through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an extraordinary encounter! Observing these gentle giants can last up to one full hour.

Our guests on Gorilla and Wildlife Safaris can watch the playful juveniles; see mothers breastfeeding; and perhaps look into the soulful brown eyes of the Gorilla babies. All while the muscular silverback surveils the encounter. Visitors can take plenty of photos and selfies. Truly magical!

ABOUT MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

The recent 2016 census of mountain gorillas by the Greater Virunga Transboundary Cooperation (GVTC), estimates the total population to be approximately 1,000 individuals. This includes Gorillas living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Gorillas live at relatively high forested altitudes (thus their name) and weigh between 135 to 220 kilograms (approximately 300 to 485 pounds). They range between 1 to 2 meters (4 to 6 feet) and have a known lifespan of 40 – 50 years.

There are no recorded figures of the “Gorilla beringei beringei” (Mountain Gorilla species) living in captivity. Mountain Gorillas cannot survive living in zoos or man-made habitats. Gorillas are predominantly herbivorous with a gestation period of 8.5 months.  Gorillas can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R Congo. Our private tour,  Dr Gladys Intimate Gorilla Experience is the ultimate Gorilla experience. Guests have the rare opportunity to track Mountain Gorillas alongside renowned Gorilla conservationist, Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka or one or one of her researchers.  Contact us for more information and details.