NEW GORILLA FAMILIES IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

NEW GORILLA FAMILIES IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

Something that we have all been waiting for, a day that more gorilla families will be habituated in Uganda to make a total of 15 mountain gorilla families to visit while on a gorilla safari in Uganda, the biggest number of gorilla groups in the three countries where gorillas reside.

Mountain gorillas are one of the most endangered forest animals in the world. And perhaps this gives a reason why several travelers from all over the world flock to Africa just to have themselves an opportunity to encounter with these great apes of the jungle in their natural setting.

Unfortunately, there are only three countries that the gorillas call home; Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo in their Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mhaginga national park, Volcanoes national park plus Virunga national park respectively, all located in the Virunga ranges. These are the prime homes of mountain gorillas in the World, the other likely gorillas are in zoos.

Of the three countries, Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest national park accommodates the largest number of mountain gorillas. With over 500 gorillas, Uganda has almost ¾ of the total population of the mountain gorillas. Bwindi impenetrable national park is the paramount dwelling for the gorillas in Uganda with 12 mountain gorilla families and Mgahinga national park with one gorilla troop summing to 13 gorilla families.

Of recent, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (the body in charge of wildlife in Uganda) announced two new gorilla families in Bwindi that have been habituated ready for trekking in Nkuringo and Buhoma sections of the park.

The Christmas and Katwe gorilla family are the new habituated groups in Bwindi. The Christmas family is in Nkuringo region, making three families in the region. It is of 9 members headed by a dominant silverback called Christmas. Before the Nkuringo region had only two groups of Nkuringo family and Bushawo to be visited daily. Now this new group increases the number of permits that travelers can book to 24 daily permits.

The Katwe gorilla family is located in Buhoma region in the northern sector of Bwindi. The troop comprises of one dominant silverback, two babies and four adult females, it makes 4 gorilla groups in Buhoma, something that has increased the gorilla permits from 24 to 32 daily permits.

With such an increase, gorilla trekking is expected to rise higher. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is the movement of trekkers on foot, through the impenetrable African jungles in search of the mountain gorillas in their natural dwellings. Gorilla trekking is the most exclusive tourism activity in Africa that gives visitors really up close encounters with the gentle apes of the forest.

However, Uganda being the pearl of Africa, it has numerous attractions that are worth beholding. For travelers on Uganda gorilla safaris can also expect to visit several cultural centers, other wildlife national parks, waterfalls, misty mountains, and beautiful sceneries. When it comes to nature, Uganda can never disappoint, it simply has something for everyone.

If you have not yet planned a Uganda trip, it’s high time you included it on your bucket list to eye witness why Winston dubbed the country the true pearl of Africa.