Watch and Interact With The Uganda Mountain Gorillas

Bwindi impenetrable forest is home to over half the world’s 750 or so mountain gorilla- the rest live in the neighboring Rwanda and the democratic Republic of Congo. As they do not survive in captivity, preservation of these fragile habitats is essential for their survival. Sharing over 98% of their DNA with humans, gorilla display uncanny human characteristic. The close-knit family groups are headed by a sliver back-a mature male- who selects places for the group to eat and sleep, and has many privileges, including the right to feed first. This privilege pays off for the rest of the family for instance if the group is threatened, the silver-back-weighing up to 120kg(260lbs)-will defend them to the death, if necessary. Generally though, the gorilla is a gentle specie. They are considered to be highly intelligent, have been observed using tools like other great apes, and communicate using a variety of vocal sounds. The name gorilla comes from the Greek gorillas- meaning hairy women. By Martin Isiko Uganda Travel Consultant

View The Rothschild Giraffe While On A Uganda Wildlife Tour

Confusing to early explorers, who described it is a cross between a camel and a leopard the giraffe is certainly an awkward-looking creature. Its swaying gait comes as a result of it moving both left legs simultaneously, followed by both legs; and its favorite food is the hideously spiky acacia, which it strips of leaves using its long, dark purple tongue. Though they are the world’s tallest land mammal-even a new born giraffe stands at six feet (2m)tall-their neck contains just seven vertebrae-exactly the same as a human. Little wonder , then that this curious gentle giant fascinated Africa’s prehistoric inhabitants, who depicted it in cave paintings across the continent. Unfortunately, the giraffe’s unique characteristic also led to them being heavily hunted. Their tails alone were made into bracelets, fly-swatters, threads for sewing and threading beads and the species found in Uganda- Rothschild giraffe-is now one of the most endangered giraffe species, with fewer than 700 individuals remaining in the wild.
By Martin Isiko Travel Consultant