Where to See Gorilla Silverbacks in Uganda
Are you passionate about seeing silverbacks and looking for the best places to see the silverbacks in Uganda? Native Africa is a top-notch safari company that will take you to all the best places where you can see silverbacks in Uganda. Silverbacks are one of the large and powerful primates belonging to the gorilla families and they are males that usually head the families of the mountain gorillas. They are considered the closest cousins of men sharing a DNA of over 98%. The silverbacks that are usually seen on a Uganda safari are usually first habituated for them to get used to the human presence. The habituation process takes about 2 years for them to get used to the human presence.
Distinguishing characteristics of Silverbacks
While on a safari to see the silverbacks, several features indicate the gorilla to be the silverback and they include;
- The back of the gorilla has silver fur on it which ensures its identity
- It is usually surrounded by the female gorillas
- It is also large and powerful with a bold chest
- They are leaders of the group
- Silverbacks communicate in many ways such as roaring, beating their chests, and stiffening of legs to intimidate their rival
- Silver backs have apocrine glands in their armpits that produce a pungent smell when they are excited
- Lastly, silverbacks are the defenders of the territory in case of any attacks or intimidation by other families
Gorilla trekking tours to see silverbacks
Gorilla trekking is done on foot where travelers go through the different trails of the park in the search of the mountain gorillas. The activity starts with a briefing at the park headquarters where you are highlighted the dos and don’ts about the gorilla trekking. After the briefing you are grouped into groups of 8 where a group of 8 people is allowed to visit a gorilla family and the activity takes about 2 to 7 hours of the day. During a gorilla trekking experience, travelers have one hour to view the gorillas and then the silverbacks are usually observed being the largest in the family. During the viewing of the gorillas, travelers have to maintain a social distance of about 7 meters.
Gorilla habituation experience to see Silverbacks
This activity is also done in Uganda where travelers have a close encounter with the silver backs. Gorilla habituation is a process where the gorillas are trained to get used to human presence and it takes about 2 years. Travelers can also engage in a day habituation where they have more time with the mountain gorillas. The activity takes about 5 hours for travelers to see the mountain gorillas where travelers are led by a group of researchers.
Where to see silverbacks in Uganda?
While on a Uganda safari, there are several destinations where travelers can see the silverbacks and some of these destinations include;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi’s impenetrable national park is located in southwestern Uganda in the Kanungu district at the border of Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo.it is home to several mountain gorillas that are situated within the sectors of the park. The sectors of the park include the Nkuringo, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Buhoma. In all these sectors, there are several habituated gorilla families where travelers on their safaris can see the silver backs. In the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are about 19 gorilla-habituated families.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda at the border of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo within the Virunga region. In this park, there is one habituated gorilla family where travelers can see the silverback. While on the gorilla trekking safaris to this park, travelers encounter several Virunga ranges like Sabyinyo, Gahinga, and Muhavura. For Travelers to see the silverbacks are supposed to have acquired a gorilla trekking permit.
How much is a permit to see silverbacks in Uganda?
While in Uganda for a safari to see the silverbacks, travelers are supposed to have acquired a gorilla trekking permit. The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs about 800 USD for foreign residents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 500 USD for the rest of Africa, and 300,000 UGX for the East African residents.
How many gorilla trekking permits are available in Uganda?
As travelers plan to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda, they are supposed to acquire a gorilla permit. In Uganda, gorilla permits are only sold to tour operators like the Uganda Wildlife Authority. There are over 160 gorilla trekking permits available each day for travelers to track and see the silverback gorillas. In the seeing of the silverback gorilla gorillas, travelers can also acquire the gorilla habituation permits. There are about 12 gorilla habituation permits that take you to the Rushaga sector of the Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Why is a gorilla permit expensive?
Gorilla permit in Uganda is quite expensive for travelers due to the following reasons;
- Conservation efforts are quite expensive where the rangers have to monitor, make patrols, and many others.
- The gorilla permit in Uganda also consists of community fees.
- It also consists of the guide fee, entrance fee, and government revenues.
- It also caters for the infrastructure development of the area.
Where to stay on a safari to see silverbacks in Uganda?
While in Uganda to see the silverbacks, there are several accommodation facilities that travelers can choose from during their safaris. Some of these facilities include; Gahinga Lodge, Bakiga Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Volcanoes Lodge, and many others.
What is the best time to see silverbacks in Uganda?
Uganda is open throughout the year for travelers to see the silverbacks in Uganda. The best time is during the dry season June to September and December to February since the park is dry and clear for the viewing of the wildlife. Also in this period, the trekking routes are dry and clear which easier the trek.
