What is the difference between Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas?
What is the difference between Mountain Gorillas and Lowland Gorillas: Gorillas are among the natural species that have frequently been misinterpreted by humans. We have long thought of gorillas as dangerous and violent apes, which is not the truth. In reality, gorillas are often timid and prefer to be alone. They are also sociable apes, living in groups of 5 to 30 individuals depending on the species. Gorillas are unique to Africa and typically inhabit lowland swamp forests, montane forests, and tropical rain forests.
How many species of gorillas exist in Africa?
There are only two species of gorillas that exist in the world today, and these are Tourists travel into Africa solely to see these gorgeous apes in their natural settings, which contributes significantly to the continent’s tourism business. The Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and the Eastern gorilla (Gorilla Beringei) are the two species of gorillas. Both of these gorilla species have two gorilla subspecies, which are as follows:
The Western Gorilla Species.
There are two subspecies of the western gorilla:
- Western Lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).
- The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla Diehli).
Western gorillas may be found in both lowland swamp forests and montane forests at elevations of up to 1,600 meters above sea level. Western lowland gorillas reside in swamp and lowland forests up to 1,600 meters above sea level, whereas Cross River gorillas live in low-lying and sub-montane forests 150-1,600 meters above sea level. Western gorillas may be found in forests throughout West Central Africa.
The Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei):
The Eastern gorilla is the world’s second most populous gorilla species. There are two subspecies of this species: the Eastern Lowland gorilla and the Western Lowland gorilla (Gorilla Beringei Graueri).
- Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei Beringei).
The most sought-after gorilla species is the Eastern gorilla, which may be found in East Central Africa. Eastern gorillas dwell in montane and sub-montane forests ranging in elevation from 650 to 4,000 meters above sea level.
The IUCN Red List classifies both Western and Eastern gorillas as severely endangered species. Factors including as habitat degradation, poaching, large-scale deforestation, and civil conflicts, among others, are threatening their existence in the wild.
What is the difference between the Mountain Gorillas and Eastern Lowland Gorillas?
Mountain gorillas and the eastern lowland gorillas differ in physical appearance, habitat, and population.
Difference in Physical appearance between Mountain gorillas and Eastern Lowland gorillas.
The Eastern gorilla is deeper in color than the Western gorilla, and the Mountain gorilla is the darkest of the four subspecies. Mountain gorillas have the thickest hair, whereas eastern lowland gorillas have a longer face and larger chest than mountain gorillas.
Mature male gorillas may weigh up to 219kg while adult female gorillas can weigh up to 113kg. Adult male gorillas in the wild can weigh between 136 and 195 kg, whereas adult females weigh half as much as adult males, weighing 68 to 113 kg on average.
Eastern gorillas, on the other hand, can grow to be 5-6 feet tall for adult males and 4-5 feet tall for mature females. Adult male eastern gorillas weigh between 309 and 453 pounds (140 and 206 kg), whereas mature females weigh between 200 and 220 pounds (90 to 100 kg).
Difference in Population between Mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas.
Populations of both western and eastern gorillas vary based on subspecies, according to data. Mountain gorilla populations have grown, with the most recent 2018 population census revealing that there are now about 1004 mountain gorillas in the wild and this are distributed only between Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The natural population of eastern lowland gorillas is estimated to be less than 3,800 individuals.
Difference in Habitats between Mountain Gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas.
Eastern lowland gorillas are found solely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The eastern lowland gorilla makes its home in the lowland tropical rainforests of Congo in Kahuzi Biega National Park. Mountain gorillas may be found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These are the only three nations in the world where visitors may observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. These are also the most trekked gorilla subspecies of all.
What are the best places for gorilla trekking safaris in Africa?
Gorilla trekking trips in Africa are quite popular, and many people travel into the continent to observe gorillas in their natural habitat. The majority of tour providers in East and Central Africa market gorilla safaris to travelers visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. There are several gorilla tour packages available that cater to all types of tourists, from budget to mid-range to luxury.
Mountain gorillas in the wild can only be seen at Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost?
To trek gorillas in the wild, one must first get a gorilla trekking permit, which costs USD 1500 in Rwanda, USD 600-USD 700 in Uganda, and USD 400 in Congo.
Is it difficult to track gorillas?
In Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, gorilla trekking is risk-free. Visitors trekking gorillas are usually briefed prior to tracking so that people tracking gorillas know how to behave in the presence of the gorillas. Furthermore, gorilla trekkers are frequently accompanied by an expert guide and armed park officers to safeguard their safety when tracking gorillas and in the presence of gorillas.
Those who choose to hike mountain gorillas in Congo’s Virunga National Park will be picked up in Goma and driven to and from the park in an armoured convoy provided by the park.
What is the best time to trek both Mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas?
Gorilla trekking is possible all year, although it is best done during the dry seasons, which are June, July, August, September, and December, January, and February. The gorilla habitats are maintained dry throughout the dry season, making it simpler for trekkers to travel through the dense forest and steep hills in pursuit of the gorillas.
In Summary; Gorillas are highly sociable creatures that are not as scary as popular belief would have us believe. Gorilla trekking excursions are one approach to obtain a deeper knowledge of gorillas and why we should all work together to save these primate species for future generations.
Contact us and book your gorilla safari to Congo, Uganda or Rwanda.
