Important Facts About Silverback Gorillas You Should Know

Silverback Gorillas Guide: Behaviour, Diet and Facts.

Silverback gorillas are also among the most recognised wildlife attractions in Rwanda and a key destination for many visitors to the country. When used with respect to Rwandan tourism, the term ‘silverback‘ is used to denote the fully grown male mountain gorilla, which is easily identified by the large group of silver-coloured hair that appears on his back as he matures. To know what silverbacks are, their habitats, and how travellers can be responsible in witnessing them in Rwanda is, therefore, important before planning a gorilla trekking safari.

The silverback gorillas and their place in a family.

A silverback is an adult male that is dominant in a family of mountain gorillas, also referred to as a troop. These families in the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda have one to thirty gorillas. It is the silverback who leads the group; determines the places where the group is feeding and resting; and also defends the group against danger, as well as resolving conflicts within the family. He is a sizeable and well-built animal; the adult silverbacks can easily be over 180 kilograms, but their behaviour is usually peaceful and slow unless they are agitated.

The largest silverback attains maturity at about 12 years of age when the silver saddle towards the back becomes visible. This bodily transformation is an indication of their position of leadership over the other gorillas. Most of the habituated gorilla groups that tourists visit in Rwanda are headed by well-known silverbacks whose actions and movements are well observed by the park rangers and researchers.

Rwanda silverback habitat.

Silverback gorillas in Rwanda are found in Volcanoes National Park, which is in the far northwest of Rwanda, bordering the Uganda-Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo borders. This park is a part of the larger Virunga Massif, which is a chain of extinct volcanoes and offers the perfect environment for mountain gorillas. It is also tropical and mountainous with lots of bamboo forestation and covered with mist-filled slopes which make it a cool and wet habitat where gorillas can survive.

Volcanoes National Park is well reached by the Rwandan capital, Kigali. The drive will also require about two and one-half or three hours through Musanze, the closest major town to the park. The primary entry point of travellers is Musanze, which has accommodation facilities, including luxury lodges as well as comfortable mid-range hotels. At Musanze, the visitors come to the park headquarters at Kinigi early in the morning, and gorilla trekking activities start.

The importance of silverbacks to Rwanda tourism.

The Rwanda model of conservation-based tourism is mainly dominated by silverback gorillas. The number of gorilla trekking permits is strictly restricted, and the proceeds of this kind of permission are aimed at the preservation of wildlife, the management of the park, and community initiatives. Healthy families of silverbacks have been found, which means that the gorilla population is stable, and this is very important for long-term conservation success.

Rwanda has branded itself as a high-value, low-impact gorilla trekking and tourism destination. This will not only ensure that the silverbacks and their families are not overly disturbed by human beings but also that the visitors have an enjoyable, non-crowded visit. To most tourists, a close view of a silverback in his natural habitat is an experience of a lifetime that will shape their overall trip to East Africa.

What to look forward to when taking a silverback gorilla trek.

Gorilla trekking on a Rwanda safari is an adventure-based activity where one walks into the forest with professional guides and trackers who find the habituated gorilla families. The time and the hardship that the trek takes depend on where the gorillas are on a particular day. The treks only need less than an hour, and the others may take several hours on rough and muddy paths.

Once a group of gorillas is found, one hour is given to the visitors to view the family. The silverback at this period spends much of his time sitting quietly watching his group of gorillas with younger gorillas playing, feeding or resting near him. The experience is also enhanced with guides giving detailed explanations on the behaviour of the silverback, family structure and conservation history of that gorilla.

To avoid exposure of the animals to diseases and stress, travellers must follow a safe distance, which is typically seven metres. As much as silverbacks do not always stay distant, tourists are advised to stand still and always listen to the ranger’s directions.

Optimal silverback viewing in Rwanda.

It is possible to find silverbacks throughout the year in Rwanda, although there are seasons which provide better trekking conditions. The most preferred seasons for gorilla trekking are the drier seasons of June through September and December through February. These seasons are less muddy, and the forests are wet, but the conditions of the hiking are not that difficult.

During the wet seasons, especially March to May and October to November, there is more rainfall, which may increase the difficulty of the trekking process. Nonetheless, the months are not so busy, and there may be fewer tourists and more permits to get. The silverbacks stay in the forest all year round; hence, the observation is still quite good in any season.

Greenwashing, licensing and eco-tourism.

Silverbacks can be seen in Rwanda only with the help of a gorilla trekking permit, but it is the Rwanda Development Board that issues the permits. The Rwanda gorilla safaris and habitat are restricted to permits per day, and thus, it is necessary to do the booking ahead of time, especially during the busiest travel months of the year.

Gravity measures have been put in place to guarantee the safety and proper well-being of silverbacks. The visitors should be in great health because even a simple cold can be harmful to gorillas. Photography is not allowed with flash; loud sounds are discouraged, as are abrupt movements. Guides and rangers enforce these rules and are concerned more about the gorillas’ well-being.

Selecting well-known tour companies and lodges that contribute to conservation efforts will also increase the positive contribution of your visit. There are numerous lodges close to Volcanoes National Park which collaborate with local people, giving them jobs and investing in education and health programmes.

More than walking, silverback schooling.

Rwanda has chances to explore more of the silverbacks rather than the actual trekking process. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus at Musanze gives educational inspiration about gorilla research and conservation history. The material on this site points out the long-term activities that have been used to rejuvenate the population of the mountain gorillas in the Virunga region.

Visits to local communities also assist the travellers to learn how conservation and tourism have reshaped the local livelihood. These are experiences which give background to the reality of the need to protect silverbacks and their forest habitat.

The reason why silverbacks must be on your Rwanda travel list.

A wildlife experience of a silverback in the wild is not only a wildlife experience but also a highly involving experience which brings travellers closer to one of humankind’s closest relatives. The well-managed tourism facilities, a national park that is easily accessible in Rwanda, and a good conservation ethic make Rwanda one of the most suitable countries in the world to experience silverback gorillas in a responsible manner.

For visitors wanting to have a richer safari adventure, one that provides not only wildlife hunting and scenery but also conservation change, it is a good place to start by learning about silverbacks. Having Volcanoes National Park in your Rwanda itinerary will provide the opportunity to see these amazing animals and contribute to the efforts to make them survive for generations to come.