An Encounter with A Gorilla Family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park : An encounter with a gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park; Well, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an incredible safari destination worldwide due to being a home to the highest population of rare great giant of mountain gorillas, found in southwestern Uganda region. More so, home to over 23 habituated gorilla families including Bitukura which we happened to visit on unforgettable trip to Bwindi.
Bitukura gorilla family
The Bitukura gorilla family is one pf the 6 habituated gorilla families-groups found in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This gorilla family has 13 members which are led by dominant silverback Mugisha. The members of the family include 4 adult females, silverback ,2 black backs ,2 infants, 2 Juveniles and 1sub adult female.
The habituation of Bitukura gorilla family began in 2006 and in 2016 mugisha took over leadership of the group succeeding Ndahura who passed on. Unlike other gorilla families, Bitukura has got a memorable feature of multi – male tolerance. To certain time, the group has been observed with up to 5 adult males roaming together with the rest of the members.
Bitukura gorilla group is one of gorilla families found in the Ruhija sector which is in the east part of the park and this gorilla family loves roaming at the forest edges of the sector.
The magnificent Bwindi Forest;
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park lies on the inter connecting hills of the park in Kanungu and Rubanda district of southwestern Uganda region. More so, the park’s elevation ranges from 1,160meter to 2,607meter above sea level. The montane rainforest of Bwindi provides awesome conditions for the survival of the endangered mountain gorillas.
These subspecies can only be found in Bwindi National Park and in the Virunga Mountains that straddle the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Dr Congo. Mountain gorillas survive on bamboo, wild fruits and roots in their nature habitat. Additionally, Bwindi forest is habitat for other wildlife species including birds, forest elephants, antelopes, baboons, chimpanzees, butterflies many others.
Preparation to meet Bitukura gorilla family or any other gorilla family in the wild – Bwindi;
Visitors wake up early in the morning have their sweet aroma breakfast, with packed lunch boxes and then after your driver guide will drive you to the park head offices for briefing by the park official. Before the briefing, visitors are always entertained by a group of traditional dancers from the Bakiga tribe who showcase their culture through music and dance. The officials choose a gorilla to be assigned to each group of trackers, depending on gorilla family assigned to. Note that; Bwindi National Park is home to over 23 gorilla families in the wild. You can choose to visit Nkuringo Gorilla group that consists of 19 members including 2 silverbacks. After briefing, you will be led by the park ranger guide in search of gorilla. Along the way, the guide provides information about gorillas. Once they allocated one hour is given to you to observe the gorilla as you learn from their behaviors, habits, feeding, playing as well as enjoying memorable photoshoot.
Meeting face to face with a Gorilla family;
Meeting up with gorillas face to face, you will be allowed an hour to spend with a gorilla family in their natural habitat. Observing gorillas from a close ranger is an experience unforgettable. More so, you get a chance to look into their attractive dark eyes, their thick fur covering the entire body, their amazing behaviors and habits.
Trekking back -after gorilla trekking encounter;
You will be surprised to find out that the return journey from trekking gorillas is much shorter. The guide and rangers always ensure to find a shorter route back considering the exhaustion faced by the trackers. The time covers half of the one spent looking for gorillas. On return, trackers are awarded the gorilla tracking certificate to congratulate them upon their achievement in gorilla trekking experience. This certificate is prestigious as it keeps your gorilla trekking memories and unique experience to tell the rest.
