Gorillas in Your Midst – Go on a Gorilla Safari and Visit the ‘Big Sixth’
- Author Harry Clark
- Published July 9, 2011
- Word count 448
They say that gazing into the soulful eyes of a mountain gorilla is one of the most humbling experiences one can undergo. Add to that a trek through the wooded slopes, entwined vines and thick, steamy bush and bamboo of an impenetrable forest, and you will have lived the stuff of legends.
There are approximately 786 mountain gorillas left in the wild, spread across Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Only a few lucky people are able to interact with them, and that now includes travellers stalwart enough to make the journey and respect a delicate habituation process that has gradually brought the gorillas to tolerate the presence of humans.
The mere thought of a gorilla safari is exhilarating enough, yet few things can prepare you for the first heart-pounding moment when you see their colossal frames emerging from the forest. Your audience with these gentle giants lasts for one hour and during this time, individuals munching on bamboo will sometimes saunter right through your group – close enough to touch… The low rumble of a huge and hairy Silverback is enough to send shivers down your spine and the sight of fluffy infants tumbling in the undergrowth and beating their tiny chests mixes madness with magic.
Bwindi’s Beasts
In Uganda, your gorilla safari starts in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park – a trek that may take anything from ten minutes to ten hours, depending on the gorillas’ location. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only forest in Africa which has chimpanzees and mountain gorillas co-existing. The seven habituated gorilla families share their home with a wide variety of mammals, butterflies, some astonishing birdlife and even an elusive herd of forest elephant.
Following in the Footsteps of Fossey
Seven gorilla families have also been habituated in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, including the original group studied by Dian Fossey (the ‘Susa’ Group). Each family is nestled amongst the various slopes of the misty Virunga Mountains. The largest Silverback in the park leads the Sabyinyo Group, though his harem is not as big as the Agashya Group, which contains a remarkable 26 members. Perhaps size doesn’t matter after all…
Ape Escape
Though gorillas are considered the ‘great apes’, they are not – by any means – the only monkey business you will encounter on a gorilla safari. Both Uganda and Rwanda pack a real punch when it comes to primates. Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda is home to one of the largest arboreal troupes of black-and-white colobus monkeys and Uganda contains the highest concentration of chimpanzees anywhere in Africa. Visitors can also be assured of the spectacle of the rare golden monkey, big-eyed bush babies and of course, an abundance of baboons.
The Far Horizons offer a wide range of luxury Gorilla Safari holidays in the popular East African destinations of Uganda and Rwanda.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- From Planning To Leadership: The Strategic Role Of Marketing Managers In Modern Businesses
- How To Choose The Right Plastic Material For Your Injection Moulding Project
- Why Italian Cinema Still Resonates Globally.
- Essential Tools And Software For Every Stage Of Music Production
- The True Cost Of Ownership: Maintenance, Insurance, And Depreciation For Luxury Vs Budget Cars
- Upgrade Your Interiors with Cheap Hygienic Wall Cladding
- 3 Baseball Hitting Drills to Improve Your Swing
- Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Radical Vision.
- Is Mold Making You Sick? What Jacksonville Residents Need to Know
- The Future of Coaching: Using Data and Analytics in Sports
- Modern Minimalist Home Office Design Ideas
- Art in Home Design: How to Elevate Your Space with Artistic Flair
- The Commedia All’Italiana Phenomenon.
- Struggling with Daily Tasks? First Watch Home Care Offers the Support You Need
- How Can You Bring Vintage Glamour Home with Fehmi Lights' Antique Chandeliers?
- When to Repair Vs Replace: Making Smart Decisions About Your Home's Locks
- Do You Need An Architect For An Extension?
- Understanding the Purpose of Metatarsal Pads
- The Next Luxury Housing Train Stops in Thompson's Station Tennessee
- The Role of Religion in Italian Film.
- Refined Rustic: Elevating the Vintage Modern Farmhouse
- Create a Buddha Zen Spa Bathroom: A Sacred Space for Stillness and Serenity
- Portrait of Depression - The Old Guitarist
- How First Watch Home Care Supports Families with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care
- Women in MBA: Breaking Barriers and Building Empires in India
- True Grit: John Wayne’s Defining Role in the Western Genre.
- Treating Chilblains: Tips for Relief
- Baseball History
- Choosing the Best Wholesale Magnetic Lashes Supplier: 5 Things to Know
- Bullying and Your Teen's Reaction