Bikingi gorilla family is found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The group has 15 members, including 1 silverback, 5 adult females, 2 sub-adults, 2 juveniles, and 5 infants. The family is led by silverback Bikingi.
The habituation of the Bikingi family began as a follow-up on members that had disappeared from the Mishaya family. Some of these former members were later found with unhabituated gorillas, leading to the formation of the new group.
The Mishaya family, from which Bikingi was formed, is also located in the Rushaga sector. It was created when silverback Mishaya split from the Nshongi family to form his own. Mishaya was known for being ambitious and often fought other groups to take members for his family.
Trekking the Bikingi Gorilla Group
Treks to the Bikingi family start early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. Tourists are advised to book accommodation in the Rushaga sector for easy access. The trek can take several hours depending on the family’s location, movement, and the pace of the hikers. Only 8 healthy people are allowed to visit the group in a day. Once found, visitors spend one hour observing and taking photos.
Since gorillas live in high-altitude rainforests, trekking requires fitness and proper equipment. Essential items include hiking boots, warm and long-sleeved clothes, rain jackets, insect repellent, binoculars, hats, sunglasses, plenty of drinking water, and energy snacks.
A gorilla permit costs $800 per person, a rate set in July 2020. Permits must be booked in advance, at least a few months before travel, to avoid disappointment during peak seasons when demand is high.
Mountain gorillas are an endangered species found only in four national parks: Volcanoes in Rwanda, Virunga in Congo, and Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda.
In the 19th century, the population fell to about 300 individuals. Thanks to conservation efforts, especially those started by the late American primatologist Dian Fossey, the number has risen to over 1,000 today.
The main threats to gorillas have been poaching and habitat loss caused by humans. Leopards are a natural predator, though they rarely attack adults. Mountain gorillas share about 98 percent of their DNA with humans, making them close relatives alongside bonobos and chimpanzees.
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