How Mountain Gorillas Live In Their Natural Habitat;
Bwindi impenetrable national park lies in southwestern Uganda. It covers 321 square kilometers shared Kanungu, Kabale and Kisoro districts. One of Africa’s oldest forests and ranked by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
The forest lies in the Albertine rift endemic area. Implying that it holds endemic species of creatures most of them being the endangered Mountain gorillas.
Uganda known to many visitors as one of the most beautiful countries of Africa. Due to its numerous wildlife and ecosystems ranging from forests of Bwindi. And the plains, permanent swamps, and other mosaic habitats that support a variety of wildlife.
However, the buffer zones of Bwindi impenetrable national park are surrounded by community and due to the frequent interaction between people and the Gorillas, there might be some disease outbreak which may not only be dangerous to the people but also to the endangered Mountain gorillas. This, therefore, has called for public health awareness in the Bwindi area. To help sensitize the communities about the conservation of the Gorillas and the health of the people around.
Many programs put in place to help in the health of the Gorillas however. There is a None Government organization that has closely worked with Gorilla and people’s health in the Bwindi Community, Buhoma sector.
Conservation Through Public Health [CTPH] is a non government organization on the ground ensuring the health of the people around the gorillas and that of gorillas as well. It works closely with Range Land Safaris which is a community rewarding Safari Company in Uganda.
Meanwhile the organization has a number of projects running in the community including coffee processing. Accommodation provision used as an activity to boast the income of the locals. It has Gorilla doctors who Range Land Safaris recommend for your experience. With the Gorillas at a small cost that help to care for the community and the gorilla health.
Conservation through Public Health established with its main objective contributing to the wildlife research, sustainable conservation and development initiatives. Their vision is People, How Mountain Gorillas Live, wildlife and livestock living in balance, health and in harmony. With local communities acting as stewards of their environment.
Your Gorilla experience with Range Land Safaris will closely bring you to the experience of the locals involvement. In conservation of gorillas and public health.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GORILLAS
1.WHAT DO GORILLAS FEED ON?
Mountain gorillas are vegetarians and they feed on bamboos, trees and fruits. They also feed on aunts and termites. They spend most of the time on grounds but also climb up to reach for food. These gentle giants can survive without water for a long time. A silverback can eat 30kg a day.
2. HOW DO GORILLAS LIVE?
Most families contain 10-15 members and usually a silver back is the head of a family and decides the movement of the day. The largest habituated group in Bwindi impenetrable forest contains 26 members while Rwanda has 28 members. Conflicts among gorilla groups are not common because they are not territorial.
3. WHAT ARE GORILLA TRACKING HEALTH REQUIREMENTS?
Mountain Gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases including flu and colds. If you are participating in a gorilla trek then you need to be free of any easily contagious diseases and this is checked at the start of the trek by the Park Authorities. If they are in any doubt of your condition, they reserve the right to prevent you from continuing on the trek.
4. WHAT IS THE GORILLA TREKKING AGE LIMITS?
The age limit for gorilla tracking, is 15 years and the authorities are very strict on this, kindly make sure all clients and children are 15 or older in order to avoid any sad incidents like guest(s) kids being refused to track!
5. WHAT TO PACK FOR GORILLA TREKKING
While gorilla tracking you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots – with good tread and support. Conditions are generally muddy/slippery. There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles and biting ants.
(Tracksuit pants often caught on bushes, thorns, etc. and jeans can get very heavy when wet). Gloves also highly recommended – just cheap gardening gloves will do – this will prevent your hands being scratched when holding onto vegetation for support, through dense parts of the forest. Tuck your long pants into your socks/boots to avoid biting insects. Your clothes will in all likelihood get very muddy and may not recover to their original state – therefore take old clothing for the gorilla trekking.
A poncho or lightweight rain jacket is useful, How Mountain Gorillas Live, and a day-pack to carry your lunch, water and camera gear in. Walking sticks made available at the start of the trek for some of the steeper and more slippery tracks and may prove, Binoculars are generally not needed for gorilla viewing, but very handy if you are a keen bird-watcher, Plenty of water – 1-2 liters per person , High energy snacks in addition to your packed lunch provided by the lodge /Camp