How Many People per Gorilla Group?

Mountain gorillas are mainly found in 3 countries of central and Eastern Africa and these endangered species can be trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and in Virunga National Park of DRC. They were habituated in different groups and they have trekked in those groups which are located in different sectors of the different National Park. These gorilla groups include; In Uganda some of these include; Habinyanja, Oruzogo, Mubare, Bitukara, Rushagura, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Kyagulro, Bweza, Kahungye, and Nyakagezi, etc. In Rwanda, the common gorilla families include; Susa, Sabyinyo, group 13, Hirwa, Kwitonda, and Amahoro.

Each of the gorilla groups must be trekked by only 8 people per day; this is mainly done to minimize the risk of behavioral changes and exposure to different diseases. Because of the limited number that is allowed to trek the gorillas, the permits need to be booked prior in advance and this can be done through a tour operator or directly at Uganda Wildlife Authority. The gorilla permits can be booked up to two years in advance.

Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda

Bwindi has also got Gorilla habituation experience which gives you four full hours with the mountain gorillas and it allows only 4 people per group per day. Gorilla Habituation is a process of trekking and training mountain gorillas to live close to Human beings. The process takes place in the southern part of Bwindi in the Rushaga sector and Nkuringo sector. For gorilla trekking, the tourists are grouped in a group of 8 people and are mostly given 1 hour to spend with the mountain gorillas. After, you get back to the headquarters to get your certificates. Mgahinga Gorilla Park has over 80 gorillas and one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi. Uganda offers 104 gorilla permits on a daily basis.

Rwanda has got 10 gorilla families in the Volcanoes National Park northwestern part of the country. Each of the families is trekked by a group of eight people per day and the allocation depends on the guest’s fitness and choice. The gorilla families are allocated on different altitudes which are nearer, medium, and hard, this means that travelers choose which ones they want to trek depending on their fitness. On the other hand, regardless of which group trekked, all the travelers are assured of a great experience.

Gorilla trekking in DRC includes hiking deep into the mountain jangle to see a gorilla family in the wild. The visitors will be led by the guides and National Park rangers who keep records of the gorillas for conservation purposes and this helps them from poachers. They can determine the general region where a gorilla family will be and are skilled in tracking them. There are only 8 people that are allowed to track a particular gorilla family.