Primarily, gorillas dwell on ground and can only spend 5 – 20% of their daytime in trees in contrast to their primate counterparts – Chimpanzees which spend 47 – 67% of their time in trees and Orangutans spending close to 100%.

Yes, Gorillas tend to climb to take advantage of fruits or play around in the tree branches. Gorillas tend to climb quad-rupedally and they rarely jump from branch to branch or brachiating.

It should be noted that because of the great weight that is normally possessed by Silverbacks and other mature male gorillas, it is very hard for them to get off the ground to climb high to the fruiting trees which have branches that cannot bear their weight.

Mountain gorillas primarily live on the ground. They can spend about 5% of the day in trees, whiles chimpanzees spend about 61% of the day above the ground and orangutans nearly 100%.

Young, lighter gorillas are better climbers than adult gorillas. Gorillas often climb into fruiting trees but young ones can climb trees in order to play. While climbing trees gorillas grasp with all fours.

The feet of gorillas and many other primates except humans are uniquely adapted for climbing, with a special big toe that functions similarly to a thumb. Their other toes are also longer and more dexterous than human toes. When in trees, gorilla rarely brachiate or Jump from branch to branch.

Adult Virunga gorillas very rarely climb into trees because there are few suitable for nest building in their habitat and also fruiting trees in Virunga massifs are not common. Western lowland gorillas, on the other hand, spend considerable time on trees even as adults.

Silverbacks do not often climb because of their great weight. They only climb into fruiting trees if the branches can carry their weight.

The question of what gorillas eat is dependent on the nature of their habitat and the season of the year. Primarily, Mountain gorillas feed on parts of green plants unlike their counter parts the lowland gorillas which prefer a lot of fruit.

It should be noted that during the dry season, there are few juicy fruits in presence which prompts the gorillas to consume a lot of seeds and tree barks – something always seen while on gorilla safaris in Uganda or in Rwanda. READ MORE

It has been noted that gorillas can acquire many human diseases and it is upon this background that those on gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda have to keep a minimum distance to reduce on this risk.

Mountain gorillas tend to inhabit the areas with wet and cold climate which in turn tend to cause respiratory tract diseases especially Pneumonia thus claiming some of the Mountain gorilla lives. READ MORE

Gorillas like most of their primate colleagues, sleep in nests which they patch in the trees or on the ground in consideration of various variables like vegetation and the security conditions.

It should be noted that every evening, gorillas construct new nests – something that is evidenced on your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and this cannot be avoided even if it is very close to the nest that slept in the previous night.

Another thing to note is that, Infants or call them baby gorillas are the only ones exonerated from the task of making nests as they spend over nights with their mothers. READ MORE

Gorilla groups do not necessarily require distinct territories and neither do they defend such areas against conspecifics. Gorillas roam in what is called the home ranges whose size is dependent on the food availability.

The home ranges are always larger where the food sources are widely dispersed. In case of abundance of nutritious and high quality food plants, the distance in between the feeding sites reduces.

However, the more members the gorilla family possesses, the further will it roam and the extensive is the home range which at times causes variation in gorilla trekking times among different gorilla groups. READ MORE

Gorillas like most of their primate colleagues, sleep in nests which they patch in the trees or on the ground in consideration of various variables like vegetation and the security conditions.

It should be noted that every evening, gorillas construct new nests – something that is evidenced on your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and this cannot be avoided even if it is very close to the nest that slept in the previous night.

Another thing to note is that, Infants or call them baby gorillas are the only ones exonerated from the task of making nests as they spend over nights with their mothers. READ MORE

This is a question to contemplate deeply about especially when it relates to the critically endangered mountain gorillas which are mostly sought of on Uganda gorilla safaris. It should be noted that apart from humans, the gorillas do not certainly have enemies.

Among the animals that have been registered to have an influence on the life gorillas are Leopards. This predator has been recorded in Virunga Volcanoes to have an effect on the lives of gorillas.

For example Walter Baumgärtel came across the remains of a range of gorillas that had lost their dear lives at the hands of dangerous leopards in the area. A similar case was recorded in Gabon where a leopard killed a sick young gorilla. READ MORE

Gorillas like other apes including humans find it hard to swim naturally which prompts them to desist from expanse water masses like Lakes and Rivers.

It has been recorded however that both adult and young gorillas like to play around with water. While in quest of their food, gorillas tend to walk through swamps on their two legs keeping water levels up to their waists. READ MORE

Gorillas are always active from 6am to 6pm. Gorillas tend to have daily routine and events seem too follow each other chronologically.

Even on your gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda, you have a chance be part of this routine. Gorillas move out of their nests early in the morning to commence their foraging consuming as much vegetation as they can before resting in the late morning and midday.

Gorillas forage again in the in the afternoon until they rest at night. Unless it is cold and overcast which prompts gorillas to stay longer in their nests, they tend to depart their nests at dawn 6am. READ MORE