Uganda Gorillas

Travel Information on the Uganda gorillas. We can organise an itinerary for you to Uganda to go see these gentle giants in Uganda. Contact us today

Client Testimonials:

'The safari experience was awesome. Everything went perfectly as planned to our great satisfaction. I am in love with Africa. Thank you so much".
Pam Wright, L.A., USA

Country Info > Uganda> Visa Info > Travel Basics > Uganda Kingdom >Uganda National Parks >History & Culture > Uganda People > Uganda Gorillas > Uganda Weather

Uganda Gorillas

Few of earth's creatures have captured humankind's attention like the Uganda gorilla. Although maligned for decades as one of the word's most ferocious and dangerous beasts, gorillas are now described as 'gentle giants teetering on the brink of extinction'.

Anatomically, socially, and behaviourally, humans recognise components of themselves in our largest primate cousin's physique and lifestyle. Over the past two decades, in-depth scientific field studies and comprehensive conservation programming have increased our knowledge of the gorilla, and today individuals and governments are battling to preserve the and its threatened forest homes.

Gorillas occur only in Africa. The species Gorilla gorilla is subdivided into three recognized subspecies: the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), which occurs in several countries in west Africa; the eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla graueri), which inhabits remnant forest areas along the eastern border of Zaire; and the mountain gorilla (Gorilla gorilla beringei), which occurs only in two separated and extremely small populations on and near Ugandan, Zairean, and Rwandan borders.

All three subspecies of Gorillas are classified as endangered; however, where as the eastern and western lowland subspecies of gorillas are estimated to have populations of about 40,000 and 8,000 respectively, the world population of mountain gorillas has recently been enumerated at an extremely fragile 600. DNA analysis of hair samples collected from night nests during these recent censuses provided scientific evidence linking the Virunga population of gorillas on the Rwanda/Zaire/Uganda border (309 gorillas) to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest gorilla population in Uganda (280 gorillas) approximately 32 kilometres (20 miles) away. This link effectively doubled the world count of mountain gorillas overnight and allows Uganda 'boasting rights' to half the world's population of mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas are mainly terrestrial and quadrupedal - they walk on the soles of their hind limbs, but pivot on the knuckles of their forelimbs. Gorillas are predominantly herbivorous, feeding mainly on the leaves, stems and roots of specific plants. Of the great apes, the gorilla shows the most stable grouping patterns.

Groups are strongly bounded bonded; the same individuals typically travel togetherfor years at a time. Groups are led by an adult male or 'silverback'. All males, as they mature, become silverbacks, developing very distinct characteristics, including an impressive silver saddle extending across their back from shoulders to ramp. However, not all silver-backs are successful enough to ultimately gain leadership of a group.

The size of a gorilla group varies from two to as many as 35 individuals. Average group size is about nine. In addition, to a dominant silverback and occasionally one or two subordinates, the group consists of several adult females, subadults (who will most likely transfer out of their natal group upon reaching sexual maturity), juveniles and infants.

Female gorillas mature sexually and about nine years. Gorillas do not have a distinct breeding season; females cycle about every 28 days (comparable to a human female). Gestation is about eight-and-half to nine months. Newborn infants weigh1.8 to 2.2 kolos (four to five pounds) and are totally depended on their mother.

Infants are weaned at about three-and-a-half years of age and females, who mature at six to nine years typically give birth at four- to -five year intervals.

Male gorillas mature at 10 to 12 years, but because of competition for mates, few will start to breed before 15 years.