Mountain gorillas live in social groups of 5 to30 individuals dominated by an alpha male known as a silverback. Female gorillas are responsible in weaning baby gorillas until they reach the age of 5-6 years. When a baby mountain gorilla is born, its vulnerable just like human babies and survives on breast milk while clinging on its mothers belly or back most of the time.
At the age of four years, baby gorillas can stop breast feeding and start learning to eat gorilla diet with the help of the mother and they also stop sleeping in their mothers nests and start building their own nests though close to the mothers nest.
Female gorillas normally reach sexual maturity earlier than male gorillas, females become sexually active by the age of 8 years while males become sexually active by the age of 12 years. When males become silverbacks, they try to fight the group leader in order to dominate the group or separate with some group members to form his family and sometimes they live the group and become lone males.
Nkuringo gorilla family
Nkuringo mountain gorilla family is one of the groups found in the southern sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park, the family was one of the largest groups habituated in Bwindi and at the time of habituation the family was dominated by Nkuringo the silverback that unfortunately passed away and silverback Safari took over the group leadership.
Nkuringo gorilla family was habituated in 2004 and derived its name from a local word to mean “round hills” this is because they were first spotted near Nkuringo hill in Bwindi distinguished by its round crest, Nkuringo gorilla family is also one of the lucky gorilla groups to have twins in the family.
Trekking Nkuringo gorilla family is one of the most exciting experiences in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, its offers great opportunities for seeing other primates, birds and good chances of photography.
Gorilla trekking
Nkruringo mountain gorilla family is one of the hardest gorilla families to trek in Bwindi, if you are an experienced hiker who loves adventure then you can ask to trek Nkuringo gorilla family during the briefing. When booking gorilla permits, you have no chance of choosing the family you would like to trek because allocation of families is done on ground and it depends on the age, physical ability and many other things but you can book your permit in Rushagga sector of Bwindi and you might get a chance of trekking Nkuringo gorilla family.
Cost of gorilla permits
Gorilla permits cost $700 per person per trekking and for those who want to spend more time with these great apes then you can opt for gorilla habituation experience in Rushagga sector of Bwindi. Gorilla habituation costs $1500 per person per trekking.
Best time to trek mountain gorillas
Gorilla trekking can be done all year round but the best time is during the dry season of June to August and December to February when the trekking trails are in good condition.
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