Why are mountain gorillas found only in Africa

Why are mountain gorillas found only in Africa, What is the reason mountain gorillas are exclusively located in Africa, where can one engage in mountain gorilla trekking in Africa, and what are the optimal locations for trekking mountain gorillas in Africa?

Gorillas are the largest primates, sharing around 98% of their DNA with humans, making them humanity’s closest relatives after chimpanzees and bonobos. They are gentle and exhibit numerous human-like traits and emotions.

Gorillas exhibit emotions reflective of their feelings, including expressions of joy and sorrow. Gorillas possess considerable size, characterized by expansive chests and shoulders, substantial human-like hands, and little eyes. Mountain gorillas inhabit familial groupings in the tropical forests of Africa, with each group led by a dominant silverback.

What is the reason for the exclusive presence of gorillas in Africa? Mountain gorillas exclusively inhabit deep tropical woods. These habitats serve as a sanctuary from threats and provide all the necessary sustenance for the gorillas daily. They are indigenous to these regions, and no mountain gorillas exist in captivity. Mountain gorillas inhabit dense African tropical rainforests because to the plentiful food supply and ideal climatic conditions, among other considerations.

The gorilla diet is specialized and necessitates substantial quantities of food everyday, which is why tropical rainforests provide the optimal resources. The climatic conditions in Africa provide the tropical forests with an abundant habitat, supplying sufficient sustenance for the gorilla population.

The climatic conditions in Africa are not harsh, equivalent to winter or summer, thus allowing the woodlands to thrive throughout the year. Mountain gorillas exclusively inhabit Africa, particularly in tropical regions near the equator.

Locations for Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Africa

To experience trekking and observe the majestic gorillas, one must visit their native habitats. Mountain gorillas are exclusively found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The four national parks that accommodate mountain gorillas are as follows;

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is situated in the southwestern region of Uganda. The park is situated within the Impenetrable Bwindi Forest, adjacent to the Congo border, alongside Virunga National Park, and at the periphery of the western Rift Valley. The jungle forests span 331 square kilometers, encompassing both montane and lowland ecosystems, and are accessible just by foot.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has over 480 mountain gorillas, constituting almost half of the world’s remaining population of this species. Approximately 19 gorilla families are fully habituated and available for trekking on a Uganda gorilla safari.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park, often referred to as Parc National des Volcans, is situated in the northwestern province of Rwanda, specifically in the town of Musanze. The park shelters the endangered Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda, readily accessible to travelers interested in gorilla trekking trips in the region.

Volcanoes National Park adjoins Congo’s Virunga National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda.

Volcanoes National Park hosts numerous habituated mountain gorillas and is recognized for being more accessible for trekking compared to the Bwindi gorilla population. The mountain gorillas of Rwanda are known to go shorter distances, making them more accessible for trekking compared to those in Bwindi, which travel greater distances, complicating the hiking experience.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Why are mountain gorillas found only in Africa, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda and is inhabited by mountain gorillas, including one habituated family known as the Nyakagezi gorilla group.

The park is situated in Southwestern Uganda. Observing the Nyakagezi gorilla group is remarkable due to its size and sociability in comparison to numerous other habituated gorilla groups.

Virunga National Park

Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is inhabited by Mountain gorillas. The park hosts habituated gorilla families that are accessible for trekking.

Tourists typically access the area by traveling through Rwanda and thereafter connecting to Congo by car. Trekking gorillas in Congo is quite economical, as the permits are the least expensive among all African destinations. The aforementioned national parks are the premier locations for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa. The sole method to observe these gentle giants is by participating in a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, a gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda, or a gorilla trekking safari in Congo.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda – Why are gorillas exclusively located in Africa?

Gorilla trekking is a sought-after safari experience on many travelers’ itineraries, occurring in only three locations. The countries for gorilla trekking include Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda possesses two National Parks. Gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda occur at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the southwestern region of the country.

Gorilla trekking occurs at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking occurs in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. To trek gorillas in Africa, one must first obtain a gorilla trekking permit, a legal document that grants access to gorilla trekking sites. Various gorilla trekking locations provide distinct pricing for gorilla trekking permits. The cost for trekking in Uganda is approximately $800 for a standard gorilla permit and around $1500 for a gorilla habituation permit.

Rwanda’s gorilla licenses are costlier than those of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda gorilla permits are priced at $1,500 per individual for a standard gorilla trekking experience per trek.