Gorillas are a unique species mostly wanted by Visitors to Africa, it’s not all that these apes are found everywhere in Africa but there are found in a few and termed to be unique destinations located in Eastern part of the African Continent.
These lucky destinations in Africa where gorillas are found include Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorillas are herbivorous ground dwelling (feeding only on ground) apes which feed on young bamboo shoot, stem, sugar canes, foliage, tree leaves and some fruits, they usually visit the bamboo forests in search of what to eat.
These Gorillas are divided into two species named Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas which are further divided into subspecies named Eastern Lowland Gorillas, Western Lowland Gorillas and more.
When you compare both Species Mountain Gorillas are black in color and Lowland Gorillas are brownish in color with these Lowland Gorillas being bigger than the Mountain Gorillas in Size.
Gorillas mostly live in groups composed of female and male members named “Troop” which are led by the old dominant male Silver backs.
The role of Silver backs is to provide security to its group members, looking for what to eat, guiding its members in the Jungle and constructing of temporary grass thatched huts for shelter.
When you compare Gorillas with other primates like Chimpanzees, Gorillas tend to be humbler than Chimpanzees as for them they feed both on ground and up in the tree branches.
Where to go for Mountain Gorillas in Uganda & DR Congo?
Mountain Gorillas dominate World’s Gorilla population and when describing these apes are black herbivorous ground dwelling apes, tailless and below are the destinations where you can find them in Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Looking forward to go gorilla trekking with the Gorillas in the jungle, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the right place to go with 100% assurance of seeing these shy endangered Mountain Gorillas, it is ranked to be hosting most part of Uganda’s Gorilla population in its four sectors.
This enormous destination is located in the South western part of Uganda characterized with thick impenetrable forest comprising of big tree species, shrubs, thorns and hooks, insects like butterflies, tsetse flies, and reptiles like snakes, black cobra, Gabon viper, owls and more. It is about 8-9 hours’ drive from Kampala up to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Virunga National Park. This Democratic Republic of Congo’s top and popular destination which has put DR Congo on board as far as tourism in Africa, it is ranked to be the oldest National Park in Africa formerly called Albert National Park.
This destination in Democratic Republic of Congo is commonly known for the shy endangered Mountain Gorillas which live in the tropical rain forest of Virunga which comprises of big trees species, shrubs, some swampy areas and more.
Other primates and species in Virunga National Park include Black & White Colobus Monkeys, Red tailed monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Vervets, bush babies, baboons, reptiles like Snakes, black Cobra, Python, Gabon Viper, lizards, insects like butterflies, tsetse flies and more.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This is Uganda’s second Gorilla hosting destination if not the great Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
It is located in the South western part of Uganda geographically near Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Virunga National Park of Democratic Republic of Congo.
It is characterized with tropical rain forest and bamboo forest where Golden Monkeys are typical residents.
It has only one Gorilla family for trekking named “Nyakagezi Gorilla Family” with its members sometimes crossing borders either to Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo.
Where to go for Lowland Gorillas in Uganda & DR Congo?
Lowland Gorillas are rarely seen species and when it comes to Uganda there is no anywhere you can spot Lowland Gorillas; these Lowland Gorillas are only found in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kahuzi Biega National Park.
These Lowland Gorillas are brownish herbivorous ground dwelling apes which feed on young bamboo shoot, stem, foliage, tree leaves and some fruits.
Kahuzi Biega National Park is DR Congo’s second popular destination characterized with tropical rain forest which comprises of Big tree species, shrubs, thorns and hooks with some parts covered with bamboo trees.
While in Kahuzi Biega National Park Lwiro Chimpanzees Sanctuary is another place to go for Chimpanzee feeding, Care giving and more.
