Titus Gorilla Group Volcanoes National Park
Titus Gorilla Group Volcanoes national park- The endangered mountain gorillas live on the slopes of Virunga mountains in Virunga national park DR Congo, volcanoes national park Uganda, Mgahinga gorilla national park, and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park has the highest number of gorillas believed to be more than half of the remaining total population in the whole world.
The main threat to mountain gorillas is habitat loss due to mining, agriculture, and settlement while the primary threats are poaching and diseases. Mountain gorillas are giant, gentle, and peaceful apes but can seriously attack you when proved and they feel insecure that’s why you are first briefed about the rules and regulations of the trekking activity before heading out in the jungle.
Mountain gorillas always show some threatening signs such as chest pouncing, hooting, grunting, groaning, throwing vegetation among others before attacking their opponent. If the opponent insists the mountain gorilla will attack you and eventually cause bad injuries and at times death.
Titus gorilla family
Titus mountain gorilla group can be trekked from volcanoes national park Rwanda. The group got its name from Titus silverback that dominated the group. Titus was born in 1974 and it’s among the groups Dian Fossey an American primatologist learned about at Karisoke research institute.
Titus went through a difficult time when he lost most of the group members due to poaching and was left alone while being raised by non-group members. Dian Fossey discovered that Titus had difficulty breathing but overcome all of that.
Titus grew and drove Beestme the dominating silverback away and raised a family without any female for a period of about eight years and homosexual behavior was observed until the group was joined by some females from other gorilla groups.
Titus later faced challenges from his son Kuryama who later brown away from the group, he was known to have sired several children and led one of the largest gorilla group in volcanoes national park northwestern park of Rwanda. Titus gorilla family is the family you need to visit when you visit volcanoes national park most especially if you have gone through some difficulties.
Best Time to track Titus gorilla family
Best time for gorilla trekking is not curtained as mountain gorillas are trekked throughout the year, however knowing the best time for gorilla trekking is very important since each season comes with its advantages and disadvantages.
The best time for gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park in Rwanda can be specified because there are 2 rainy seasons. The short season taking place in October and November, the longer season starts from mid-March to May and the remaining months are dry seasons.
The travelers should book their permits in advance from trusted tour operators or Rwanda development board in Rwanda at least three months before the activity.
The best time for gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons of January to December and June to September. They are most favorable for gorilla trekking since the forest is less sleeper. Trekking in high seasons is most expensive in the accommodation sector compared to low seasons when the lodges re cheaper.
Low season is the best season for gorilla trekking for budget trekkers. Tracking in this season is cheap because the accommodation is lowered at a budget rate. The low season months are March, April, May, and November and the months are discouraging.
The prices of lodges is more favorable than high season rates and the low price rates are set to attract budget travelers. The few travelers are grouped into different gorilla families giving different experiences.
Although travelling in this season has an advantage of being cheap, it rains a lot making trekking in this season difficult. The forest grounds are muddy and slippery making travelers uncomfortable.
How to obtain Gorilla permits
Gorilla permits to volcanoes national park can be got through a trusted tour operator or from the Rwanda development board a government body in charge of national parks in Rwanda. You are strongly advised to buy gorilla permits 3-6 months in advance before the final date due to the scarcity of permits. Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1500 per person per day. Gorilla trekking is done by people ages 15 and above and all the people must follow the rules and guidelines as taught in the briefing.
Other activities in volcanoes national park
Mountain climbing
Volcanoes national park is not only home to mountain gorillas but also 4 out of8 Virunga volcanoes that can be explored. Hiking to the top of each mountain takes its days and time but it’s always worth it when you reach the summit as you have stunning views of the surrounding areas and the park’s wildlife.
Birding
Volcanoes national park is home to over 178 bird species and among these 13 species are endemic to the area. If you are a bird lover you need to come along with your binoculars and see some of the parks such as strange weaver, Ruwenzori turaco, Doherty’s bush – shrike, scarlet – tufted malachite sunbird, brown – necked parrot, Ruwenzori nightjar, Ruwenzori Apalis, archer’s robin – chat, Ruwenzori batis, red – faced woodland warbler, cinnamon chested bee – eater, African long – eared owl, brown woodland warbler, Ruwenzori double – collared sunbird, dusky crimsonwing, blue – spotted wood, lagden’s bush – shrike, grauer’s swamp warbler, baglafecht weaver, narina trogon, lesser honey guide, palm nut vulture, handsome francolin, bateleur, and red – backed shrike among others.
