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Memorable Moments You Must Not Miss On Your Africa Safari
Speculating a gorilla trekking safari in Congo this holiday? Congo is one of the greatest hidden gems in Africa suitable for Africa gorilla trekking safaris besides Uganda and Rwanda. Congo is the only west African country with both the mountain and lowland gorillas. Congo shares the mountain gorillas with countries a few East African countries that share the Virunga massif including; Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The mountain gorillas of Congo have been the biggest reason for Congo gorilla safaris to Virunga National Park.
The chief destinations for this interesting Africa safari adventure in Congo include; Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park. Located in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces respectively in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo gorilla trekking tours are very interesting Africa safaris for Virunga and Kahuzi Biega National Parks are home to both Mountain and Eastern lowland gorilla species respectively.
An encounter with gorilla families in Virunga and Kahuzi Biega parks is exceptionally life-changing. Gorillas are intelligent and very fascinating creatures to observe. The silverback’s powerful presence is awe-inspiring, yet his calmness clearly earns him the title, “gentle giant”.
A Peek About Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is a UNESCO heritage site and Africa’s oldest park. This park alone is home to 25% of the world’s estimated 900 Mountain Gorillas with some unique ape species that can be sighted here, including the Chimpanzees. It’s popular for its thick forest, exceptional mountain peaks and ancient swamps. About 2,500 hippopotamuses live on the banks of Lake Edward and the park’s three rivers.
This park is now the best possible option for adventurous travellers to visit them once again accessible southern sector of the Virunga conservation area for Congo Gorilla trekking tours. Gorilla treks in Virunga Park begin from Bukima patrol post in Mikeno area and are led by park rangers. Treks usually require 1-2 hours of hiking depending on the movements and location of Mountain Gorillas and current state of the terrain.
Congo also has other gorilla trekking destinations. Kahuzi Biega National Park is another famous habitat for Eastern Lowland Gorillas, arguably the largest gorilla species in the world, scientifically referred to as the Grauer’s gorillas. Eastern lowland gorillas are one of the sub-species of Gorillas commonly sighted in the jungles of central and eastern Africa. This park has habituated groups of Eastern Lowland Gorillas and thus a key destination for lowland gorilla trekking safaris Congo.
Going on a gorilla tour in Congo is an outstanding once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it is at the top of many traveller’s bucket list. However only children of 15 years and older are allowed to go for gorilla trekking tour in Congo. After meeting the gorillas, visitors are given only up to one hour to interact with them. All gorilla treks in Congo begin in the morning at 8 am and commence with a briefing by the park rangers at the starting point.
Why tourists appreciate their stay with the gorillas
Every traveller that treks gorillas on their Rwanda gorillas tour, Uganda gorilla tour, or Congo gorilla tour has witness different behaviour among the gorillas but the eye-catching behaviour is the way gorillas communicate with their young ones. Its true gorillas use a non-vocal form of “baby talk” to communicate with their infants, but first. A first among primates, the discovery may give insight into how similar human communication evolved. During research about how gorillas communicate, it was noticed that gorillas older than three (3) years have a special way of communicating or interacting with the young ones. One of the researchers forms the Department of Education and Psychology at Berlin’s Freie University said that she was surprised that infant gorillas are treated differently. He further reported, “With infants, the older gorillas used to touch and repeated gestures such as grabbing or stroking the infant’s jaw more frequently than they did when communicating with their peers.”
When these gorillas are with their mothers, they communicate through baby talk. Baby talk is a universal mode of connection between adults and infants. Regardless of their language, people baby-talk in the same way, with a raised pitch and a swooping, sing-song style.
The team observed 24 gorillas, which they separated into four age groups: infants, juveniles, sub-adults, and adults. These scientists focused on their behaviour during their play sessions. During the observation, the play sessions started and ended via non-vocal communication; an exchange of signals involving the head, limbs, and body posture used to manipulate another gorilla’s behaviour.
The team saw that gorillas in the three older groups touched infants more, which may be because the youngsters themselves communicate with their mothers via touch, Luef said.
Life is less certain about why the older gorillas repeated their gestures with infants, but it’s possible that the older gorillas know that their messages are easier to comprehend when repeated, she said.
Study author Luef added that, in general, non-vocal language is too often neglected in primate-communication research. By contrast, human studies often incorporate both verbal and nonverbal language.
Gorilla trekking is indeed an ideal Africa safari activity that can also be undertaken by gorilla tour Uganda and Rwanda gorilla trekking tour on whether a short or long Uganda safaris or Rwanda safaris.
Tailor the activity to either your Rwanda wildlife safari, wildlife safari in Uganda or Congo wildlife safari and have more of sightings but a lifetime experience. if a tourist needs a lifetime sight of millions of wildlife, a safari to Kenya, tour Kenya or Tanzania tour is one of the wise options to undertake. The wildebeest can be sighted in one of the safaris to these countries.
We also tailor Uganda gorilla trekking safaris, chimpanzee trekking safaris, golden monkey trekking safaris, short Uganda wildlife safaris, Long Uganda wildlife safaris, nature walks, adrenaline adventures, Uganda birding safaris, horseback riding safaris, and many more depending on the safari your taking, be it a short Uganda safari or Long Uganda wildlife safari.