Are mountain gorillas aggressive to humans? Tourists who would to trek mountain gorillas can do so from countries like; the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda, which are well known to have a quite number of, habituated gorilla groups available for the visitors to trek. Gorilla Habituation process takes a period of about 2-3 years for the gorillas to successfully get used to humans. These Gorillas are also easily spotted in Virunga Mountain of volcanoes national park of Rwanda, Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and within the tropical rain forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is situated in the southwestern part of Uganda.

Mountain gorillas share a 99% DNA with the humans, which makes them more like humans. Gorillas are social, calm, peaceful, gentle, friendly and used to humans due to the fact they always spend a lot of time with the guides, and researchers. However, they only tend to be aggressive against humans if only they are being threatened and they will only attack after their peace is being disturbed. These mountain Gorillas feed on the tree barks, fruits, shoots, wild celery and on the vegetation diet of roots as their food.
In the 19th Century, mountain gorillas were being poached and killed. In 2009, there was a report recorded on the human-wildlife conflict about how a Silverback gorilla was able to attack a poacher in Kagwene Gorilla Sanctuary in Cameroon because he was setting up traps. More so, there are other reports that were recorded in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park because the mountain gorillas raided into the crop fields of the local people who stayed near the national park to thrill while on Uganda Safaris Tours
Mountain gorillas are known to be made up of two subspecies and these include; the Eastern mountain gorillas and the western mountain gorillas.
How Dangerous and aggressive are gorillas to people?
Mountain Gorillas are calm, gentle, peaceful, social, shy, reserved and friendly towards people because of the fact that they spend a lot of time around them such as guides and researchers. These Gorillas are not necessarily dangerous but they only become aggressive depending on how people handle and approach in their territory. People may threaten and tend to disturb the peace of the gorillas with an aim of assuming danger. In this process, mountain gorillas will be aggressive and dangerous if they suspect and threatening movements for example, a Silverback who is the head of the gorilla family will react with a horrific hooting or a roar, Are mountain gorillas aggressive to humans?

Before mountain gorillas become aggressive they first send signals and react with a horrible roar and they continue to run straight in front of the victim on a quick speed and stop at distance of one meters away. In this situation, people are encouraged not to maintain a direct eye contact while the gorilla is in front of you because gorillas consider it like a challenge when humans make a direct eye contact with them. People are supposed to bow their heads and look down in fear and to stand still and not run away, because if one runs away, this will also force a gorilla to run after you hence leading to harm.
Mountain Gorillas are not dangerous apes to humans but to themselves for example; when a dominant silverback tends to fight against the other silverbacks in the family because of the female gorilla within the family due to the fact that this silverback feels that it is only the male gorilla that is supposed to mate with all female gorillas within the gorilla group and not any other, Are mountain gorillas aggressive to humans?
How can people avoid Gorilla Attacks?
- Tourists are advised to avoid direct eye contact while in the presence of the mountain gorillas but bow their heads and look down in fear in order for the gorillas not feel like they are being challenged.
- Tourists are also encouraged not to eat or drink while in the presence of the gorillas.
- Tourists are advised to turn off the flashlights in their phones and cameras while taking pictures and recording videos of the mountain gorillas because the flashlights make the gorillas insecure, which may result them to being violent.
- Tourists who become victims while in the presence of the mountain gorillas are advised to make themselves low by eating vegetables and tearing.
- Tourists are also encouraged to keep a distance of 7 meters between themselves and the mountain gorillas and avoid touches because they are wild animals.
How much does it cost to trek Gorillas.
Tourists who would love to trek Mountain Gorillas are required to acquire gorilla trekking permits, which cost at a fee of 700 USD in Uganda, 1500 USD in Rwanda, and 40 USD dollars in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trekkers are encouraged to acquire these permits in 6 months in advance in order to avoid inconveniences and the advantage of these fees is it that covers other charges like entrance fees and the guide fees.
Best Places to trek Gorillas in the whole world.
Tourists who want to trek gorillas can do so in Mgahinga Gorilla National park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, which are located in Uganda, Virunga National Park in Congo, and Volcanoes National park, which are considered the best places to go for Gorilla, trekking. However, Visitors can also go for trekking in countries like; Angola, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Congo Brazzaville.
Best Time to visit Gorillas.
Tourists who wish to go for gorilla trekking can always go visit at any time during the year but the best time to go for gorilla trekking is during the peak season during the months of June to September and sfrom December to February. This period is favourable there are less rains and this makes it easier for trekkers to hike the forests because the roads are not slippery and they get chance to see a variety of many animal species.
In Conclusion, Gorillas are not dangerous wild apes to humans but only tourists while Trekking gorillas in the forests should note that they are in their territory and give them due respect because they only tend to go wild once their peace is disturbed but apart from that they are peaceful, calm and friendly to humans beings.
Contact our travel consultants at Achieve Global Safari and Explore Tours Rwanda to book and get best offers on your trip to trek mountain Gorillas in countries like; Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
