Commemorating 30 years of Gorilla conservation in Uganda

Uganda suffered a huge setback in the 1970s and 1980s to the point that by the 1990s, though peace had been secured, tourism was no longer a driving force in the economy of Uganda. With the outside world still caught up in the turbulent history of Idd Amin; Uganda still has a long way to go in informing the world that things have changed for the better.

Among the things the country can be proud of right now is gorilla trekking that has immensely contributed not only to the gorilla conservation in the whole world but also on the tourism industry of Uganda. A new activity that saw its first light of day in 1993, has surpassed the popularity of Queen Elizabeth national park and Murchison falls national park.

However, before we delve in further, it is also important to take a glimpse into how gorilla trekking and gorilla conservation started.

A Brief History on Gorilla Tourism and Gorilla Conservation in Africa

It was in the year 1902, when Robert Von Beringe a German national saw a mountain gorilla on Sabinyo Volcano. He had not gone gorilla trekking. It was not an arranged safari experience. He was simply a soldier serving his country’s interest in Africa and on one of those excursions, he encountered a mountain gorilla.

The next time a story is heard in relation to mountain gorillas was in 1925 when King Albert was deliberating on establishing the first national park in Africa. In this national park, an American Zoologist by the names of George Schaller conducted a lot of research on the mountain gorillas that he later published in 1963; just a year after Uganda’s independence.

It is this same national park that is later came to be known as Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and the Virunga National Park of DR Congo.

The journey of mountain gorilla conservation started in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda; which were both under the colonial rule of the Belgians. In 1967, the most popular gorilla conservation Zoologist Dian Fossey came on the scene. It is upon her research and the gorilla habituation work that marked the foundation of gorilla trekking in Africa. In 1979, the first Mountain gorilla trekking experience was recorded in Rwanda.

However, the focus was to educate people about the mountain gorillas in order to reduce poaching. Over a decade later, Dian Fossey was murdered in her cabin where she used to reside while doing her research. Her death remains a mystery but her work can never be forgotten.

In 1989; that is two years after her death, a census was carried out in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo to establish the population of the mountain gorillas in these three countries.

The Virunga conservation area which covers, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga national park in Congo and Mgahinga national park in Uganda, had a population of 324 gorillas while Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest had a total of 320 gorillas. As of 1989; the mountain gorilla population in the whole world was 644.  

The success of gorilla conservation in Rwanda received a major setback due to the 1994 Genocide. Rwanda’s Gorilla trekking remained in oblivion until 1999.

Uganda’s Gorilla Conservation Journey

In 1991, Uganda gazetted two places to form two gorilla national parks in Uganda; i.e Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which was elevated from the forest reserve status and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These were put under the care of Uganda national parks department which was later replaced by Uganda wildlife Authority in 1996.

Upon establishing these national park, Uganda national parks department embarked on the task of habituating the Mubare gorilla family in Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Though the task was a success, it suffered a setback in 1993 when one of the habituated silverbacks Mrithi was killed by poachers.

The Gorilla habituation process within other families in Buhoma sector went successfully boasting the gorilla trekking and conservation efforts in Uganda. By 2004, Nkuringo sector was opened up making up two gorilla tourism sectors in Bwindi. Later on, in 2012; two more trails were launched, that is Ruhija sector and Rushaga sector.

Habituated Gorilla Families in Uganda

Uganda has a total of 28 habituated gorilla families however as of 2023; about five of them are not yet open to tourists. Uganda is expected to offer at least 215 gorilla trekking permits on a daily basis by the end of 2024 as per the UWA Report of 2023.  

The Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda

Many people have come to know about the mountain gorillas because of the popular gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Each gorilla permit goes for US$700 per foreign non resident, US$600 per foreign residents and Ugx 250,000 for East Africans.

Due to the increased interest in the gorilla trekking experience, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is considering to revise the gorilla trekking tariff from US$700 for foreign non residents to US$1000. With daily limits, the financial burden goes to the only few people that allowed to visit the park on a given day.

The money that comes from the gorilla trekking permits is shared by the government and the communities surrounding the gorilla conservation areas.

30 Years of Gorilla Tourism in Uganda

Gorilla tourism is the most unique wildlife experience that Uganda has to offer. There are only two other countries that offer the opportunity to encounter the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat; that is Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The increase in the number of habituated gorilla families in Uganda has seen the growth of Uganda’s tourism industry. Due to gorilla trekking, many people now have the opportunity to visit national parks such as Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo valley national which they would not have interested themselves in if they had not visited Uganda for gorilla trekking.

There are a number of players in this conservation journey that a mention may not do justice. Individuals such as Gladys Kalema Zikusooka of conservation through public health have stood out for their immense contribution in reducing the human-gorilla conflicts.

The government institutions such as Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), though more is being demanded from them; their efforts are part of the reason that the mountain gorillas have surpassed the 1000 mountain gorilla population mark in the whole world.

A lot more needs to be done in regard to mountain gorilla conservation but that most important players are the tourists whose financial contribution makes the whole difference in gorilla conservation and research. The prices are always high because unlike other parks where the entrance fees are spread out among more than 5000 people, the gorilla entrance fees are share among less than 250 people.

Once someone understands the burden of conservation that is laid upon Bwindi impenetrable national park; a UNESCO heritage center, they come to appreciate their contribution through gorilla tourism.