“Never look the silverback directly in the eyes”, were the last words of advice I remember my guide Chris imparting. The next instant I was staring down at Ruhondeza, although thankfully not making direct eye contact with 190 kilos of pure masculinity! He gave a low warning bark as if to say, "here come the visitors."
In that split-second my world changed forever.
Since that life-changing moment I have dedicated my time to communicating the perilous existence of these Mountain Gorillas, as well as taking people to see them in their natural habitat. What most people don’t know is that this critically endangered animal is also a species you will never be able to view in captivity. Mountain Gorillas are completely dependent on their familial bonds and social structures for survival. They die in captivity. The gorillas we are used to seeing in zoos are Lowland Gorillas.
In the remote corner of western Uganda is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of two far-flung African destinations where half of the worlds 720 critically endangered Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla berengei berengei) are found. It is here; in this spectacular Afromontane rainforest and World Heritage Site that one is able to enjoy a unique one-hour encounter with a habituated band of Mountain Gorillas.
Daily at 8am, visitors assemble at the Park Headquarters (Buhoma region) or at various other locations in the Park for their once in a lifetime encounter. The day begins with a briefing and overview of the park and gorilla etiquette by the head ranger. This is followed by maximum of eight people joining their pre-booked gorilla group for the day.
In the Buhoma region, Habinyanja, Rushegura and Mubare make up the three Gorilla groups, whilst Nikuringo and Nshongi are found in the Nikuringo region and Bitukura in the Ruhija region.
Depending on where your given Gorilla group is located, it can take you anywhere from 20 minutes to six hours of walking to locate them. Accompanied by your knowledgeable guide and two armed escorts (they are armed not to protect you from Gorillas, but rather the dangerous poachers and other insurgents sometimes found in the Park), the walks take you through some of the most beautiful farmland, rugged terrain and pristine forests.
Weather is unpredictable in this rain forest and one can expect to experience all four seasons in one day. It’s therefore advisable to be well prepared, fairly fit and properly kitted out in case the trek becomes strenuous.
Mountain Gorillas have adapted to the high altitudes in which they live and its long glossy coat helps to keep it warm and dry in the chilly forest it inhabits. Each Gorilla has its own distinct facial features (after which is it named), habits and personality that can be seen when sitting quietly and watching them.
On average, Gorillas eat over 60 plant types many of which are also unique to Bwindi. Ninety percent of their diet is made up of plant material, with the rest comprising ants, termites or even the skin of dead infants. A silverback will eat up to 20 kilograms of food per day including the roots, flowers, fruits, stems, leaves and pith of a plant. A Gorilla band will vary in size, but is always controlled by the dominant silverback. His family breakdown includes adult females, black-backs, sub-adults, juveniles and infants. A female gives birth every four years and one female will have up to 10 babies in her lifetime, of which usually six or seven will survive.
What’s unique about Bwindi is that it is the only forest where three of the highly evolved primates exist together: Gorillas, chimpanzees and man.
One of the biggest threats to the survival of the Mountain Gorillas are diseases transmitted by humans, and for this reason visitors must keep at least seven metres away from the gorillas whilst viewing them. Habitat loss due to deforestation is also a critical factor.
Bwindi is not only one of the most densely populated areas in Uganda, but it is also one of the most fertile. There is a shortage of land in Uganda, which is needed to feed a growing and very poor population, subsistence farming being the main source of food for many in the rural areas. Hence, the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is constantly under threat.
To find out more about gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, contact Timothy Jackson at info@Vintage-Destinations.com Website: http://www.vintage-destinations.com/
