MOUNTAIN GORILLAS SILVERBACK.

What are mountain gorillas silverbacks?

Mountain gorillas silverbacks, live on the forested higher slopes of the Virunga Mountains. Mountain gorillas and silverbacks reside between 8000 and 12000 feet above sea level. Their thicker fur helps them stand out from other gorillas. The large volumes of body fur allow them to withstand the cold weather in the forests and mountains.

Mountain gorillas silverbacks, like other gorillas, resemble humans, particularly in their lifestyles and physical attributes. For example, mountain gorillas have limbs that are comparable to humans’. They also live in extended families, similar to those found in human societies. All of these characteristics support scientific discoveries that mountain gorillas are some of mankind’s closest cousins, sharing 98.3% of their DNA.

Habitat of Mountain Gorillas.

Since human memory, mountain gorillas have lived in the Virunga Mountains. According to history, mountain gorillas used to live on the lower slopes of mountains until humans began to infringe on their environment. The gentle giants had to retreat further into the forests to occupy the higher slopes of the ranges due to the overwhelming pressure from mankind.

Today, multiple national parks have been formed in the several countries around the Virunga Massif to protect the gorilla habitat. The Virunga Massif is a mountainous terrain in southwest Uganda, northwest Rwanda, and southeast Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Uganda, two national parks host mountain gorillas that is; Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park. Rwanda on the other hand has only one national park with mountain gorillas that is to say Volcanoes National Park. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, mountain gorillas live in Virunga National Park.

Uganda alone has 22 completely habituated gorilla families available for visitation. 21 of these are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, while the other is Nyakagezi in Mgahinga National Park. Rwanda has 12 gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, while Congo has 8.

There are decent roads leading to the parks, making it easier for visitors to enjoy their time with the thrilling gentle giants. Uganda’s two mountain gorilla national parks are also accessible by plane. For example, visitors to Bwindi fly from Kajjansi Airstrip to Kihihi Airstrip before continuing to the park.

Travellers to Mgahinga National Park fly from Kajjansi or Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip and then continue to the park. This helps the traveller spend less time on the road. You will therefore have more time to explore the mountain gorilla habitat.

Facts about the Mountain Gorillas’ Silverback.

Mountain gorillas’ silverbacks are exceptionally strong male individuals that lead their families. They emerge as the leaders of mountain gorilla households due to their incredible strength. Mountain gorilla silverbacks can lift roughly 1783 pounds, or 800 kilograms.

Mountain gorilla silverbacks are distinguished by their larger chests when compared to other gorillas. They typically have a swathe of silver-like hair on their backs. These serve as indicators of maturity as well as emblems of authority and dominance within the group. To express dominance, mountain gorilla silverbacks will whoop other individuals, charge at threats, beat their chests, and slap trees.

They are responsible for the safety of other family members, particularly during feeding times and migration. Silverbacks are the highest-ranking members of mountain gorilla families, making decisions during migration, sleep, and eating. It is vital to note that mountain gorillas build their sleeping nests every night.

In the mountain gorilla households, silverbacks are in charge of mating with the adult aunties. By forming new families, this contributes to maintaining the population. However, peacefully formed families of mountain gorillas are unusual. Families are formed in the aftermath of conflict or unclear events, such a silverback’s death. To become silverbacks, the male members of the families split off to form other families.

Best time to visit mountain gorilla Habitats to watch mountain gorillas’ silverbacks.

The best time to visit the mountain gorilla national parks is during the dry seasons. The dry seasons have low amounts of rainfall and steady grounds. These make it easy for the travelers to maneuver through the tricky terrain of the montane forests with no hardship.

The dry season in the Virunga massif is the times from June to September and the December to February Window.

Esteemed traveler, for a trip to trek and get up-close with mountain gorillas’ silverbacks in their natural habitats, SEND INQUIRY . Or contact us directly at  +256 393 247 137 / +256 742 678 918 or email us at  info@ibuthsafaris.com.