There are about 650-700 mountains gorillas remaining in the world based on the last survey (2006) that was carried out to update the population. Mountains gorillas are shared between Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, which are all part of the Virunga Conservation Area.

Gorillas can live up to 43-45 years and the silverback weights around 200 kg. A female will weight between 80 and 120 kg. Mountains gorillas are peaceful vegetarian animals and mainly eat foliage.  They have a preference for the tender bamboo shoots, as well as for the eucalyptus trees. The family is led by the male silverback (due to the grey silver color of his back). A typical Gorilla day is spread between eating and resting. You will find children playing around during each resting period. In the evening the family will need to create a nest for spending the night (gorillas do not have fixed location). The next is made with bamboo stick and other leaves.

In Uganda, Gorillas can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable forest. Some of the gorilla families have been habituated to photographic gorilla tracking. Tracker are frequently spotting 5 families in the Ugandan gorilla sanctuary.

In Rwanda, Gorillas can be tracked in the Parc National des Volcans. There are also 5 families habituated to humans and that can be tracked on foot.

"In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat," wrote the eminent primatologist Dian Fossey, "are great, old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered with rich, green rainforest - the Virungas". Situated in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Parc des Volcans protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain range - home of the rare mountain gorilla - and the rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp and heath.

An exhilarating trek through the cultivated foothills of the Virungas offers stirring views in all directions. Then, abruptly, the trail enters the national park, immersing trekkers in the mysterious intimacy of the rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive populations of buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the forest canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, easily accessible and among the highest in Africa, beckoning an ascent.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge

Situated along the Great Rift valley Bwindi extends over a series of steep ridges, its massive rainforest almost impenetrable, its secretive interior providing the perfect habitat for the gorilla population. Terrain varies from swamp and bamboo forest to dense thicket from the ankle up which makes up 90% of the park, thus making gorilla trekking work hard!

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to a population of somewhat 330 Mountain Gorillas(Gorilla gorilla beringei), roughly half of the worlds’ total population. Bwindi is the only forest in Africa to have Chimpanzees and Mountain Gorillas co-existing.

The park is on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites due to its ecological uniqueness and natural beauty. Bwindi is home to a number of other primate species, including black-and-white colobus monkey L’Hoest’s monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, vervet monkey and baboon. In addition there are 79 mammal species including duiker, elephant, bushbuck, bush pig, giant forest hog and several small cat species.

More than 350 species of birds have been recorded, of which many are regional endemics. The forest birding ranks best in Uganda with 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemic present.

Clouds Mountains Gorilla Lodge

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