Mountain Gorilla Population & Habitat Guide

The mountain gorilla population has slowly increased thanks to strong conservation efforts. As of 2024, there are about 1,063 mountain gorillas living in the rainforests of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the highest number recorded since conservation programs began.

Even with this progress, mountain gorillas are still endangered. Their population grows slowly because of poaching, habitat loss, diseases, and a low reproduction rate.

Threats to Mountain Gorillas

According to a 2018 IUCN report, mountain gorillas are among the most endangered primates. The main threats include habitat destruction, disease, and illegal hunting. These challenges continue to affect their survival despite ongoing protection efforts.

Diet and Daily Life

Mountain gorillas are herbivores and feed on leaves, roots, bamboo shoots, flowers, and fruits. An adult gorilla eats about 18 to 30 kilograms of vegetation each day. They spend most of their time feeding to maintain their strength.

Habitat and Social Structure

Mountain gorillas live in high-altitude areas between 8,000 and 13,000 feet above sea level. They are found in montane and bamboo forests. These gorillas live in family groups led by a silverback.

The silverback is the leader of the group. He protects the family, mates with females, and decides where the group feeds and rests. Mountain gorillas mostly stay on the ground and build their nests there, although they can climb trees when needed.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking

The best time to trek mountain gorillas is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. During these months, the trails are easier to walk on because they are less slippery.

The Gorilla Trekking Experience

Gorilla trekking is an activity where tourists walk through the forest to find mountain gorillas. The activity starts early in the morning at around 7:00 am when gorillas are active.

Visitors first attend a briefing at the park headquarters where they learn the rules. After that, they are divided into small groups of eight people. Each group is guided by a park ranger.

The trek can take between 2 and 6 hours depending on the location of the gorillas. Once the gorillas are found, visitors are allowed to spend one hour with them.

The mountain gorilla population has improved over the years, but these animals still need protection. Continued conservation and responsible tourism play an important role in keeping them safe for the future.

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