Only around 1060 of the magnificent mountain gorillas are said to exist in the wild, although intense conservation programmes have succeeded in arresting their decline. About 600 are said to live in the Virunga Conservation Area which is made up of linked national parks, including Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Park National des Volcans, and the Parc National des Virunga in the DR Congo. Here, in the Virunga Mountains, in the southwestern corner of Uganda, there are integrated conservation programmes.
Some 45 of these gorillas live in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, although all of the groups have home ranges that extend into all the three countries.
The rest of the mountain gorilla population lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest, about 25 km north of Mgahinga, where further international conservation programmes have been instituted.
Deep in the forests, the primates live in family groups that are very protective of their home ranges. Each group usually consists of a dominant male, with several females and their young, and some non-adult males. To watch them in their natural habitat is certainly one of the most inspiring experiences available to the serious safari-goer and tour adventure seekers.
Limited gorilla tracking is available daily (in Mgahinga only when the gorillas are in the park), and there are over 95% chances of gorilla sightings within habituated gorilla families living in the protected areas. Numbers of visitors are restricted to eight, with only one group in each park a day. Advance safari and tour booking is, therefore, essential. In Bwindi there are twenty three (23) groups of habituated gorillas:. To protect the gorillas from human diseases no children under 15 or sick people (even with just a cold), may go trekking or tracking.
In Mgahinga National Park, be prepared for a 13-km walk or by 4WD vehicle from Kisoro and then strenuous walking and scrambling through thick undergrowth. A good physical condition is vital . In Bwindi conditions are slightly easier, but it is still a strenuous experience. To prevent behavioural disturbances, strict rules are explained to the group by the ranger in charge of the gorilla tracking/trekking expedition.
Strong walking safari shoes are essential, together with light waterproof long trousers to protect the legs.