Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of primates inhabiting Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park in Congo, Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda.
Mountain gorillas are part of Eastern gorilla species with the other specie called Eastern low land gorilla inhabiting Democratic republic of Congo. The estimated number of mountain gorillas living in the wild is less than 1500 individuals.
Gorillas are mainly herbivores animals with 90 percent of their diet comprising of fruits, leaves, stems, bark, roots, bamboo shoot and sometimes compliment their diet with ants, insects and termites. Gorillas spend most of the day foraging vegetation and retire to their nests in the evening to sleep.
Katwe gorilla family
Katwe mountain gorilla family is located in Buhoma sector of Bwindi national park, Buhoma is also home to the first ever habituated gorilla family in Bwindi. The group was opened for trekking in august 2018 and its part of the newly habituated gorilla groups in the park.
Katwe mountain gorilla family is composed of 7 members including; 1 silverback, 4 adult females and two infants. Katwe mountain gorilla family was habituated at the same time with Christmas gorilla family. Just like other mountain gorilla families, numbers in gorilla groups keep changing from time to time due a number of factors like birth, death and moving to other groups.
Gorilla trekking
Trekking Katwe mountain gorilla family starts early morning after briefing from the park headquarters, the trek takes from 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on the location of the gorilla family and also phase of hikers. After finding Katwe gorilla family then tourists will be given an hour of observation and to take photos.
Cost of a permit
Mountain gorilla permits cost $700 per person per trekking and permits must be obtained in advance of 3-6 months to avoid disappointment upon arrival due to high demand especially during the peak season. Gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person.
Best time to visit
Uganda is an all year round destination but the best time for gorilla trekking is during the dry season of June to early September and December to February when the trekking trails are not muddy and slippery.
What to carry
Gorilla trekking requires one to be in good physical condition and you will also have to come along with some stuff to use while trekking and these include; good hiking boots, plenty of drinking water, energy snacks, garden gloves, warm and long sleeved clothes, insect repellents, shades, binoculars and many other things you might need. Potters are always available to help you carry luggage at a cheap price.
Book your dream safari below.
Do you want to customize this safari by adding more activities, days or destinations? There is a much more detailed contact form with all these details. Kindly click the book now button below.
