The Eastern Gorilla species are the Largest! In the world! These include the eastern lowland Gorillas and the mountain Gorillas.
The Life of Gorillas; ground-dwelling herbivorous great Apes, the largest primates in the world is so mysterious, and rewarding to uncover; full of character and uniqueness. Science suggests Gorillas and man originate from the same Ancestral linage, and have over 98.7% similar Genes, next to the bonobos and Chimpanzees. A grown-up gorilla reaches a height of about 1.25-1.8 meters, 2.6 arm lengths depending on the sex, and 100-270kg weight. One silverback is stronger than about 8 able-bodied men.
They can only be found in the continent of Africa, in the Tropical or subtropical rainforest in the eastern and central sub-Saharan part of Africa. Gorillas are shy and gentle creatures, spending their lives in the Jungle. They leave in groups called troops; led by a dominant silverback, black backs, youngsters, and infants. They don’t spend more than two nights in one place and feed on primarily vegetables.
Gorillas are divided into two species; the western Gorillas, and the eastern lowland Gorillas; and this; was split into four unique subspecies; the Mountain Gorillas, western lowland Gorillas, Eastern Gorillas, and the Cross River Gorillas. We have approximately 17,000 individual lowland eastern Gorillas and 1080 Mountain Gorillas in the Jungle.
In the eastern family; the eastern Lowland Gorillas are thicker and larger than their counterparts the Mountain Gorillas. The eastern Gorillas have stocker bodies, large hands, short muzzles, wide shoulders, muscular arms, and a broad chest. They spend most of the day moving, feeding, and playing on the ground.
Today; the world has about 200,000 individual Gorillas, categorized as some of the most endangered Apes in the world, by IUCN. They can’t survive in a caged environment, but rather at the Albertine rift montane tropical rain forests, at the vast network of Virunga volcanoes, at an altitude of 2,200 to 4300mtrs above sea level.
They call dense forests, marshes, and lowland swamps home; feeding on roots, fruits stems, and leaves among others. The western gorillas’ species are in the central part of Africa, whereas the eastern Gorillas reside in the Virunga volcanoes network, with legs in the east and central part of Africa.
The eastern Gorillas are identified by their darker fur covering the whole body, and the morphology. They are very social creatures, living for about 35-40 years of Age. The mature male is called; the silverbacks because of the silver-like lining at the back; the black back, and the mothers. At the age of 12 years, the male either lives the group or assumes leadership by overpowering the current silverback.
To encounter these rare Apes; one has to have a safari to the continent of Africa, to; the eastern part of Congo to Virunga National park; one of the oldest national parks in the continent of Africa, and Kahusi Bienga National park for the eastern Lowland Gorillas; Southwestern part of Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla national park for the endangered mountain Gorillas; and Northern part of Rwanda to Volcanoes national park for the mountain Gorillas.
These destinations are open for trekking all year round, with visitors safely taken through the Jungle to where the Apes are residing or feeding. The trekking activity starts very early in the morning with a pre trekking briefing by an experienced Ranger guide. Depending on the terrain and your trekking speed the exercise can last for approximately 1-8 hours, plus an additional hour for watching, asking questions, and taking photos among others. The Jungle is a safe and exciting place, with amazing residents, but you will need to abide by their Rhythm. Don’t make noise, litter, smoke, get so close to the Apes, unmask and so much more.
The Cost of Trekking the Largest Gorilla species
A trekking permit is a compulsory document to all those intending to track the Gorillas; the largest primates in the world. Uganda permits cost 700usd, 400Usd for DR Congo, and 1500Usd for Rwanda. This is a charge per person aged 15 years plus per day from across the world.
June to September and December to February are the most ideal months for a trekking safari. They are dry months, whereas March to May and November are wet and also rewarding.
In conclusion; Gorilla trekking is a lifetime adventure and experiences only done on the Continent of Africa. The Eastern Gorilla species are not only large but also very exciting, calm, and lovely.
