How many people are allowed to track a gorilla family; Many visitors who wish to visit gorillas in their nature habitant, can keep wondering how many people are allowed to track a gorilla family -group – only eight people are allowed to track/trek a gorilla family on particular day. This is considered all gorilla destinations; In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DRC. Congo’s Virunga National Park or Kahuzi Biega National Park in Africa.
Gorilla trekking; the gorilla trekking is done in a group of eight people or even less the actual number, the trekking experience can take about 30minutes to 6hours. But once you find the mountain gorillas after the long gorilla trek, trekkers/ tourists are permitted to have only one hour.
Gorilla habituation experience; This activity allows only 4 people to habituate a gorilla family per day at a cost of USD1,500 per person. ‘’per gorilla habituation experience permit’’ and after finding them you will be allowed 4hours to stay with them. In the world, mountain gorilla habituation experience is only done in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Rushaga regions of the four-gorilla region where gorilla trekking takes place.
Reasons why gorilla trekking is limited to 8 people per group for those asking, how many people are allowed to track a gorilla family- group;
To reduce behavioral disturbance to the gorillas; a crowd of people around gorillas causes discomfort and stress to gorillas which is against conservation measures.
To minimize the risk of gorilla exposure to human borne diseases; Gorilla share 98.5% of our genetic material with gorillas. In fact, gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases but do not have the same immunity we do. The result out of their exposure to human viruses or illnesses can devastate the whole gorilla populations.
To conserve of other forest creatures – reducing the damage to the forest.
When it comes to gorilla habituation experience in Uganda, only 4 people can participate and allows 4 hours spend with these endangered mountain gorillas under habituation.
Gorilla habituation in Uganda; Currently done in Rushaga sector in the southern parts in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Reasons why the gorilla habituation experience is limited to only 4 people per group and those asking how many people are allowed to track a gorilla family-group;
Gorilla habituations experience is full day encounter and only 4hours to spend with them. The number of trekkers is limited to 4 people because of safety and conservation reason. More so, to avoid stress and uncomfortable stay of gorillas.
And since the gorillas are semi habituated, they don’t need a lot of commotion from the people, as they can easily charge negatively against the visitors.
Here are highlight of gorilla families in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo;
Gorilla families/groups in Uganda
Uganda hosts 25 habituated families with 23 of them living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has two ‘2’ gorilla groups namely Nyakagezi and Hirwa.
Gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable include;
Mubare Gorilla Group
Habinyanja Gorilla Group
Rushegura Gorilla Group
Bweza Gorilla Family
Nshongi Gorilla family
Bushingye Gorilla Family
Kutu Gorilla Group
Katwe Gorilla Group
Oruzogo Gorilla Group
Mishaya Gorilla Family
Bikyingi Gorilla Family
Rwigi Gorilla Group
Mucunguzi Gorilla group
Kyaguriro Gorilla Family
Kahungye Gorilla Group
Nkuringo Gorilla Group
Christmas Gorilla Group
Gorilla Families -groups in Rwanda
Rwanda has got 12 habituated gorilla families living in Volcanoes National Park including;
Susa Gorilla Family ‘Susa A’’
Karisimbi Gorilla Family ‘Susa B’
Umubano Gorilla Group
Amahoro Gorilla Family
Ugenda Gorilla Family
Bwenge Gorilla Family
Hirwa Gorilla Group
Bwenge Gorilla Family
Kwitonda Gorilla Family
Sabyinyo Gorilla Group
Igisha Gorilla Family
Muhoza Gorilla Group
Gorilla Group/families in Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo hosts 8 habituated groups of mountain gorillas living Virunga National Park, including;
Bageni gorilla family
Humba gorilla group
Rugendo gorilla family
Lulengo gorilla family
Kabirizi gorilla group
Nyakamwe gorilla family
Time is now! Just get started for your gorilla trekking experience or habituation experience.
