Mountain gorillas are a critically endangered primate species native to the Volcanoes National Park. These primates inhabit the highlands of this park, thus their name, mountain gorillas. The mountain gorillas are considered critically endangered primates because there are only a few left in the wild today. Mountain gorillas are the face of the tourism sector of Rwanda, given their high demand to be encountered. Among all the other primates, mountain gorillas come close to being like human beings, given their likeness in DNA likeness. These primates have over 98% of their DNA similar to that of humans.

Like most of the other primates, mountain gorillas are social animals that stay in a group called a gorilla family. Just like most human families, gorilla families are also headed or led by a dominant male gorilla called a silverback. This massive creature is perceived to be the family protector against external threats. It is important to note that a gorilla family may have more than one silverback. However, the dominant silverback is always one, and if it dies, the second in line takes the throne as the head of the family.

Volcanoes National Park hosts over 13 habituated gorilla families that can be encountered anytime. It is very important for a gorilla, especially the females, to belong to a family, as this unit can be a lifesaver in cases of threat since the silverback protects them. For the case of males, having a family is to have a belonging and a perfect opportunity for reproduction. This is because the dominant silverback in a gorilla family is responsible for reproduction.

Unique features of mountain gorillas

Mountain gorillas have distinct features that make them stand out from most of the other primate species. These unique features include the following.

Size

An adult silverback can weigh over 195 kilograms, while a female one can weigh up to 100 kilograms. This massive size makes these mountain gorilla species the largest primates in the region. To support their size, mountain gorillas eat over 10% of their body weight in vegetation and ants. A silverback can eat over 34 kilograms of vegetation a day, while a female eats over 18 kilograms.

Physical appearance

The physical appearance of mountain gorillas is unique, distinct from most of the other primates. Mountain gorillas are massive creatures with a dense and very dark coat that helps them to survive in the cold weather in the elevated environment they live in. Mountain gorillas have very black bodies and dark hands and feet. The silverbacks have a silver-like fur on their lower backs, and that is why they are called silverbacks.

Mountain gorillas have longer arms than their legs, as they use their massive arms in climbing and also in fighting. These primates can stand and walk upright on their two legs for a while. Mountain gorillas have a large head with an incredibly wide mouth, possessing 32 teeth with 4 large canines measuring 5 centimeters. Their strong jawline is the reason why these primates have one of the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom.

Volcanoes National Park

The terrain of Volcanoes National Park favours the presence of mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National Park has a highland or mountainous terrain with over 5 volcanoes. These 5 mountains in this park complete a stretch of the Virunga mountain range that stretches from the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These volcanoes are covered by a massive stretch of montane vegetation and scattered bamboo plantations at the base of the mountains. This vegetation supports the livelihood of mountain gorillas and their possible multiplication.

Volcanoes National Park is located in the Musanze district in the northern region of Rwanda. In the world today, mountain gorillas are located in the Virunga Conservation Area. This park’s positioning in the Virunga Conservation Area that stretches from the Virunga National Park in Congo through Uganda, makes it a host to these mountain gorillas. The environment in this conservation area is perfect for the mountain gorillas and the last habitat of these primates.

Volcanoes National Park was gazetted in 1925, making it one of the oldest parks in the region. It covers a mass land area of about 160 square kilometers. This park prides as it once hosted the popular conservationist and primatologist Dian Fossey. She lived and carried out her work in the park after she set up the Karisoke Research Center. This center was located in the heart of the park, neighbouring Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi.

How to encounter mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park?

Since Volcanoes National Park is a mountainous gorilla destination, the only way these mountain gorillas can be encountered is by trekking. Gorilla trekking refers to the act of traversing the dense forest canopies searching for mountain gorillas and spending an hour in their presence. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park starts early in the morning with a short pre-trekking briefing at the park offices.

During this pre-trekking briefing, the visitors can be taken through the dos and don’ts of this activity and the expected code of conduct. Each gorilla family in the park is trekked by 8 people daily. Thus, during this briefing session, visitors are grouped in that manner and assigned a particular gorilla family. Gorilla trekking lasts for a few hours, given visitors navigate the forest looking for these primates, but is awarded an hour at the point of encounter.

What is the cost of seeing mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park?

Embarking on a gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park requires a gorilla permit. This permit is issued by the Rwanda Development Board through a local tour operator. The cost of this gorilla permit ranges from the nationality and region where the visitor belongs. Visitors of foreign non-resident status pay USD 1,500, foreign residents pay USD 500, East African citizens and Rwandans pay USD 200 per person for a gorilla permit. Visitors from the rest of Africa are also catered to at USD 500 per person for a permit.