Uganda Gorilla-tracking
Gorilla-tracking
 |
Silverback gorilla |
Most visitors to Uganda come to track the endangered mountain
gorillas in the south west of the country, in either Bwindi
Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park. Less than 700 of
these gentle giants exist in the world, with half the remaining
population living in Uganda, divided into four habituated gorilla
troops: three in Bwindi and one in Mgahinga. Despite their fierce
reputation, gorillas are peaceable primates, the largest and most
ferocious looking of the ape family, and the chance to view them
from up close is a thrilling as well as awe-inspiring experience.
Tracking them generally involves a fairly strenuous walk through
forest or dense undergrowth, and on steep mountain slopes, led by
guides who take trekkers to where the gorillas were found the day
before. From there the trackers look for signs to indicate which
way they went. Tracking can take anything from three to eight
hours, but groups are only permitted to stay with the gorillas for
one hour once they have been found, to prevent behavioural
disturbances and the possible transmission of diseases from humans
to gorillas. Gorillas share 95% of their genes with humans and
people with even a common cold are not allowed to join a group, as
this could be fatal to the animal. Peak season is January, being
one of the drier times of year. Permits allow a maximum of six
people per group per day and booking is at the UWA Headquarters in
Kampala. For more information visit
www.uwa.or.ug
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