Mishaya Gorilla Group Bwindi impenetrable forest national park

Mishaya Gorilla Group- Bwindi impenetrable forest national park located in the southwestern part of Uganda is one of the national parks where you can trek endangered mountain gorillas from. Mountain gorillas are endangered species of primates that almost became extinct in the 1990s but due to conservation efforts by government bodies and organizations numbers have slowly increased in the past years.

Bwindi impenetrable forest national park harbors more than half of the reaming mountain gorillas in the world with the rest of the population living in volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Mgahinga national park in Uganda, and Virunga national park in DR Congo. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is also home to 120 mammal species, 348 bird species, 13 primate species, and so much more.

Mishaya mountain gorilla family was formed when the silverback called Mishaya challenged the leadership of the ruling silverback in Nshongi family. Mishaya broke away with the members to form his own gorilla group.

Mishaya was a very ambitious silverback known for fighting other gorilla family members in order to grab some females to his own family. It’s said that one-time Mishaya got into a fight with a wild mountain gorilla group and this led to several injuries that were treated by veterinary doctors in Bwindi though he lost one of his group members during this fight.

The popular Mishaya silverback died in February 2014 and a silverback called Mwine is now leading the group and can be trekked from Rushaga sector on Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Mishaya was found dead in the morning and the reason for his death is not yet known.

Gorilla permits for Mishaya Gorilla Group

Before a permit is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you should first alert the tour operator in charge about the gorilla family.  This is so because the gorilla families are located in various areas and therefore your physical fitness determines which sector to trek in. Rangers are available to spot for you the gorilla family of your choice since they well know where to find the specific gorilla family that you are trekking for.

Gorilla permits to Bwindi national park are $700 when it comes to foreign non-residents and $600 foreign residents while east African residents pay shs.250.000. these gorilla permits are sold to people of ages 15 and above and on the day of trekking people with infectious diseases such as flu, cough and diarrhea will not be allowed to trek.

Best time to trek Mishaya gorilla group in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park is always done throughout the year but the peak season is always the best time to visit the park. The peak season is actually the dry season and it happens in the months of December, January and February then it happens again in the months of June and august. The wet season is in the months of March to May and October to November and these months are good for gorilla habituation since the visitors in the park are few. Trekking gorillas in the rainy season is very difficult because of overgrown vegetation and the muddy trails. The low season comes with discounts on gorilla permits and there is always less crowds in the park giving visitors enough time with gorillas, researchers and the guides.

Where to stay during Mishaya gorilla group trekking experiences

These lodges are possessed by the locals of this region which is different from other sectors where lodges are owned by foreign investors. As you are trekking in Rushaga sector and you feel like spending a night, you can sleep in one of these lodges and they include Gorilla safari lodge, Rushaga Gorilla camp, Nshongi Gorilla camp, Rushaga gorilla havens lodge, among others.

What to carry for gorilla trekking?

Before going to track Mishaya gorilla group, you must be physically fit because at higher elevations on the mountains where you will need to hike. You need to book a gorilla permit in advance of 3-4 months before coming to the country. You need to bring along long sleeved clothes, sunglasses, a hat, good hiking boots, a waterproof backpack, garden gloves, insect repellents, and on the day of trekking you must carry along enough drinking water and energy-giving snacks.