Bikingi mountain gorilla family is located in Rushagga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, the group is composed of 15 individuals made of 1 silverback, 5 adult females, 2 sub adults, 2 juveniles and 5 infants. The group is led by Bikingi the silverback.
The habituation of Bikingi mountain gorilla family started as a follow up exercise of members that disappeared from Mishaya mountain gorilla family and indeed some of the former members of Mishaya gorilla family were found with other non habituated gorillas.
Mishaya mountain gorilla family from which Bikingi was formed is also located in Rushagga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, Mishaya family was formed after silverback Mishaya split from Nshongi gorilla family to start up his own. Mishaya the silverback by that time was a very ambitious silverback known of fighting other groups to grab some members to add up to his family.
Gorilla trekking
Trekking Bikingi mountain gorilla family starts early morning at the park headquarters after briefing and tourists trekking this family should book accommodation in Rushagga sector of Bwindi national park. The trek takes several hours depending on the location, movement of gorilla family and also phase of hikers. Only a group of eight healthy people will be allowed to visit the family and a period of one hour is given for observation and taking photos after finding the family.
What to Bring
Mountain gorillas live on high elevations of tropical rainforests that will require hiking and forest walks meaning you have to be physically fit and also pack equipments such as; hiking boots, drinking water, energy snacks, insect repellents, warm and long sleeved clothes, binoculars, hats, shades and many other things you might need.
Gorilla permits
Mountain gorilla trekking permits costs $700 per person and this price was effective from July 2020, gorilla permits must always be booked in advance at least before arriving in the country to avoid disappointment due to high demand especially during the peak season.
Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of primates endangered to only four national parks in Africa that is Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda.
Mountain gorillas were almost extinct in the 19th century with only about 300 mountain gorillas left in the wilderness but due to conservation efforts triggered by the late American primatologist Diane Fossey, numbers have increased to over a thousand over the years.
The main threat to mountain gorilla population was poaching and habitat loss caused by humans and the natural threat was leopards. Mountain gorillas share about 98 percent DNA with humans just like Bonobos and Chimpanzees making them close relatives.
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