Mountain Gorillas evolved with the rise of the volcanoes half a million years ago, adapting to the terrain by becoming largest the lowland gorillas and with thick fur. They are herbivores who sometimes eat ants and termites. Only 782 mountains gorillas exist in the world but the number is increasing. They can be visited in two national parks Bwindi (always) and Mgahinga.
Golden Monkeys who share the same environment are also endangered but much less researched. They spend much of their time in the bamboo Zone easting shoots. Mgahinga is the only place to see them in big numbers.
Also present in the Area are the Elephants, chimps, baboons, blue and tailed monkeys, Gorillas, otters and many other animals. There have been 115 bird species observed in Mgahinga over 200 at Bunyonyi and at least 350 Bwindi.
The Culture
Batwa “pygmies” are one of the oldest people in Africa. They roamed the forests looking for fruits and honey, and hunted with bows and trained dogs. As the woods were cut down by the Bantu, Batwa numbers downsized. In 1992 they evicted from the national park with no compassion. Recently the authorities have shown more understanding and some progress has been made to help out in the situation.
Given a chance of meeting these Pygmies avoid exploitation of the Batwa. There are three recommended activities that resemble each other and show their history in the forest, involving customs and drama. Batwa Experience at Buhoma, Buniga Forest Walk at Nkuringo and the batwa Trails in Mgahinga. A find approach is offered through the Batwa today at Echuya Forest.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The steep valleys and highland ridges of Africa’s oldest Rainforest hide much more than just Gorillas. Some of the highlights of different Bwindi gates are as follows:
Buhoma: the most accessible gorillas, nature walk to three waterfalls, Batwa Experience, tour of the groundbreaking Bwindi community Hospital.
Nkuringo; Spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes, Buniga Forest Walks.
Rujiha: largest number of habituated gorilla groups, occasional visits of forest Elephants.
Mgahinga National Park:
Kisoro the region’s prettiest town is in an idyllic setting below the volcanoes. It hosts a colorful cross- border markets on Mondays and Thursday and has a strong beekeeping community. It is the ideal base for adventures in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The smallest, but possibly greatest, of Uganda’s national parks boasts three Virunga Volcanoes; Muhavura (4,127m/13,500ft) with a lake at the top Mount Gahinga (3,474m/11,400ft) with a swamp filled crater and sibanyo (3669m/12,00ft) where three countries meet. Mountain gorilla tracking depends on the gorilla movements across borders but there are always other great activities on offer.
Gorilla Tracking Rules.
Before you set out.
- Do not visit the gorilla if you have a cold or other infectious illness.
- Human waste should be buried 30cm (12) deep.
- Maximum number of visitors is eight persons per gorilla group.
- When you are with the gorillas, Maintain a 7 m (21 Ft) distance from the gorilla
- Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted on the tour
- If you must sneeze or cough cover your face and turn away from the gorillas, as they can catch cough and cold from humans.
- Visit are limited to one hour per gorilla group per day.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda.
Tracking can be done in the forests in Uganda. These include Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National, Budongo forest at the boarders of Murchison falls National Park, Karinzu forest etc.
Out of all these forests listed above Kibale always up the biggest number of visits, Kibale Forest National Park, which is reputed to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous of its 13 species is the Chimpanzee, our closest relative. Kibale 1450 Chimpanzee represent Uganda’s largest population of this endangered primate. Kibale is also a home to the rare I’Hoest’s monkey. Other primates include the black and white Colobus, Blue monkey, Grey cheeked mangabey, Red tailed monkey, Olive baboon to mention but a few. So, you will enjoy a guided nature walk in the tropical rainforest in search of the wild chimpanzees.
Chimpanzee Tracking Rules.
For your own safety and protection of the chimpanzee, you are required to follow the few rules as long as the forest trails.
- Chimpanzee can catch your diseases; you must not enter the forest if you are sick
- Do not leave litter in the forest
- If you need to urinate or defecate, do so off the trail, bury your waste in a hole (30cm deep) along with any toilet paper.
- Keep as quite as possible in the forest, you will see more.
- Keep at least 8meters from the chimpanzees at all times
- Do not eat near the chimpanzee
- Do not chase the chimpanzee
- Do not use flash photography.
Gorilla permit cost: Usd 700 this is in the Month Jan- March, Jun- oct and Dec. Then with the months of April – May and November are low season and there less crowded at the park.
Chimp Permits: USd 250 an hour with the chimps. Then a full habituation experiences at Usd 300.
