How many mountain gorillas are in Bwindi? – Mountain gorillas found in Bwindi Forest – Mountain gorillas of Bwindi
How many mountain gorillas are in Bwindi? – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to approximately 459 mountain gorillas. This number represents nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population.
Many people want to know the real number of mountain gorillas in Bwindi before heading out for their trek, Mountain gorillas are one of the unique primate species and most protected species on the planet, mountain gorillas can only be found in the natural habitat and these are only found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. These national parks are adjacent to one another and therefore managing the conservation and protection of these mountain gorillas is easy for the conservation partners in both countries which all fall under the Greater Virunga Trans-Boundary Collaboration.
Mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in two national parks Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Based on the recent census of mountain gorillas results show that the total number of gorillas is now about 459 individual mountain gorillas as per the last 2019 Gorilla Census. The population in the Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the close Sarambwe Reserve in DR Congo the mountain gorilla population has increased from 400 gorilla individuals to 459 individuals.
Key Details
Population:
Around 459 mountain gorillas live in Bwindi.
Significance:
This population makes up a substantial portion of the nearly 1,063 mountain gorillas worldwide.
Conservation:
Bwindi is one of the most important areas for mountain gorilla conservation.
Gorilla Trekking:
The Park offers visitors the chance to see these primates through habituated gorilla families in four sectors.
Location of Mountain Gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi
In Uganda Mountain gorillas are disturbed into various groups which are found in the four sectors which include Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south, Ruhija and Buhoma and in the northern parts of Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park. The 4 sections of Bwindi have 18 gorilla families as of 30th June 2018 and even more as of now. Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are only distributed into one gorilla families called Nyagezi. These groups are made of habituated mountain gorillas which are used to human presence and can be visited by tourists and their movements are monitored on a daily basis, with this it means both parks have more unknown mountain gorillas which are considered as wild. Due to the recent baby boom in 2020 in Bwindi which happened during the 2020 covid-19 lockdown where 5 baby gorillas where born in six weeks this gave much hope for conservationists for mountain gorillas to continue increasing in numbers.
Buhoma sector, is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, It is home to home to four gorilla families open for trekking and these include Rushengura, Katwe, Habinyanja and Mubale. Buhoma was the first place for gorilla trekking to happen in Bwindi in 1993 after the park was declared a UNESCO world heritage site. This sector can be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park and Lake Bunyonyi
Ruhija sector, is located in the Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, It is home to Bitukura, Kyanguriro, Mukiza and Oruzogo gorilla families. Ruhija is one of the excellent trekking area for gorillas in Bwindi given most of its gorillas are closer compared to other sectors. It stands at an elevation of 2350 meters above sea level making it the coldest area in Bwindi. Ruhija is also great for birding at Mubwindi swamp as well great for sighting other primates which include monkeys, and mammals like antelopes and elephants. It is the closest sector to Lake Bunyonyi with this you can stay at this lake and trek gorillas in Ruhija in one day.
Rushaga Sector, is located in the south part of Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Rushaga is a home for 8 Gorilla Families which by far is the most of any sector in Bwindi, Rushaga terrain is also easy for trekking gorillas compared to Nkuringo and Ruhija which stand at higher elevations. Gorilla families in Rushaga include Busingye, Bweza, Nshongi, Mishaya, Muchunguzi and Kahungye which are all available for tracking and open to tourists. Rushaga regions is the only region in Bwindi which offers gorilla habituation experience making it great for those who are interested in both experiences of normal gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience. Rushaga can be accessed from Kisoro and Rwanda
Nkuringo sector, is located in the southern part of Bwindi, it is home to Nkuringo and Christmas gorilla families available for gorilla trekking. This sector is located on higher elevations making it a very hard and strenuous region for gorilla trekking. It is recommended for adventurers and those interested in a challenging gorilla trek. Nkuringo is the closest sector to Rwanda and you can trek here in 2 days with one night stay through Rwanda.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park only has one gorilla group open for gorilla trekking that is Nyakagezi gorilla group. For you to trek here you will need to book in advance like 3-4 months given they are only 8 permits available every day for trekking
FAQs about gorilla trekking in Uganda
What is gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves walking through the forest following a given trail to search and find the habituated mountain gorillas, once you find them in their natural habitat you will spend with them one hour encounter having an opportunity to take photographs, learning more about their habits and behaviors. Uganda is home to more than 50% of the total number of the only remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Given the fact mountain gorillas do not survive in the zoos for you to see these unique apes you will need to trek into their natural habitats to have an encounter with them.
Where can I see mountain gorillas in Uganda?
Mountain gorillas in Uganda are only found in two national parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in the south western park of Uganda bordering the districts of Kanungu, Rubanda and Kisoro, the park also borders the Uganda-DR Congo border. It is home to 20+ habituated gorilla families open for gorilla trekking which are found in the four main sections that is Ruhija and Buhoma in the north, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in the far south western part of Uganda in Kisoro district; it shares the border with Rwanda and DR Congo. Mgahinga is one of the 3 main national parks located in the virunga ranges other two national parks include Volcanoes National Park found in Rwanda and Virunga National Park found in DR Congo. Mghainga is home to 1 gorilla family which is Nyakagezi.
Which one is the best park to see mountain gorillas in Uganda?
How many mountain gorillas are in Bwindi? – The whole truth is that both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have mountain gorillas and there is no big difference when it comes to the experience obtained at the end of your trek. The only difference is that Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Mountain gorillas are in the Virunga/hills with mainly bamboo as the main vegetation while in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, these mountain gorillas are in a tropical rain forest with varieties of trees and plants. Chances of seeing gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are 98% so which ever country you visit, you will be able to see these great apes in their natural environment. It is believed that Mgahinga Gorilla National Park gorillas are easy to see because of the kind of vegetation and offer much clear option to takes pictures this is right because it is mainly bamboo which is not very thick compared to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park tropical rain forest.
How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?
For you to go gorilla trekking in Uganda you will need to have a gorilla permit, on top of other services to aid you for the gorilla trek such as transportation, driver guide, accommodation among others. The minimum days to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda are 3 days, 3 Days itinerary costs from USD1300 per person. The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $800 Per person per trek for the Foreign Non Residents, $700 Per person for residents and $80 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 19 habituated gorilla family groups with 18 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga this means 152 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, a gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
In Uganda the minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years and the maximum age depends on your fitness levels. The children below 15 years are prohibited from gorilla trekking given the fact children behavior is unpredictable and uncontrollable which may results in disturbances during the trek, then as well children are prone to diseases which they can acquire from the gorillas.
What is the best time for trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done and is possible throughout the year, the best time to do a gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the dry season months of January, February, March, early April and June to early September, this is makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown. During this time there are less rains compared to the months of Aprils, May and November. Which normally receive rains and it makes the trek uncomfortable.
Why book with Great Adventure Safaris your Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Great Adventure Safaris will help you book your gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo contact us and we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla permits. Feel free to check out our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. With us, you can be rest assured of a memorable Uganda safari holiday. We are devoted to providing excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of excellent tour consultants is always willing to help answer all your safari questions, How many mountain gorillas are in Bwindi. We guarantee you a great gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo with us.