Gorilla Trekking

The mountain gorillas are found in the Virunga Mountain range which stretches along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and DRC. The best places to see them are Bwindi Forest in Uganda or Parc des Volcans in Rwanda.

About 480 gorillas live in the Virunga Mountains. Lowland species of gorillas were first described in the mid 18th century but the mountain gorilla was not known to the western world until 1902. The first detailed study of them was undertaken by George Schaller in the 1950s and was the starting point for the most famous research done by Dian Fossey in Rwanda. Mountain gorillas are bulkier than other species of gorilla, weighing up to 200kg. They are very sociable moving in troops of anything up from 5 - 50 individuals. A troop typically consists of a silverback male (the males back turns silver grey when he becomes sexually mature around 13 years old) and his 3 or 4 'wives' with several young animals. A silverback usually acquires a harem when he is around 15 years old, normally attracting a young female from another troop. The silverback leaders can lead their troops well into the forties. Females become sexually mature around 8 years after which they often move between troops.

One a female has given birth she normally stays with the same silverback until he dies. Gorillas have the same gestation period as humans at around 9 months and if they live to old age would normally have had around 6 babies. Gorillas have a mainly vegetarian diet and are known to eat nearly 60 different species of plants. They also eat insects particularly ants. Troops spend most daylight hours on the ground, moving into the trees at night when each individual builds a temporary nest (except the silverback who is too heavy so nests on the ground!). They usually move less than 1km each day making tracking them day to day fairly easy for experienced guides. Having few natural enemies they often live up to 50 years in the wild but their livelihood is threatened by poaching, deforestation and increased exposure to human diseases.

In the Volcanoes Park in Rwanda there are about seven groups of habituated mountain gorillas (the numbers and group sizes do change so check for updated information when you book). The most famous are the Susa group which is furthest away from the park HQ and has recently split into two smaller groups. The Susa group was studied by Dian Fossey and lives on the slopes of Karisimbi mountain. Other groups which can be visited include Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agasha (was group 13), Umbano, Hirwa and Kwitonda. It is sometimes possible to allocate permits to particular groups but this is usually done on the morning by your guide. If you do more than one trek on different days we will do our best to book two different family groups to visit.

You must be fit and healthy to visit the gorillas and your guide will brief you on rules when you get close to them. Walking sticks are allocated to help you up the mountains and we advise you to hire a porter to carry your bag and help you through difficult terrain. Be aware that in the early morning there is a lot of hanging around at the park HQ while your guide gets your permits sorted and you have your briefing. You are driven from your lodge to the HQ then back to the trail head where you start your climb with the parks guides and porters. Make sure you have strong walking shoes or hiking trainers, sensible clothing and layers. Take a lightweight rain jacket in your bag, it can be wet at a moments notice! Gaiters are also advised. Take plenty of water with you.