Do MoreThe Great Gorilla Project
The Great Gorilla Project
Traveller rating:
13 Nights from $4,193.00
Enjoy the thrill of Gorilla Trekking on this gorilla conservation project in Uganda
Volunteer With Gorillas
Gorillas are perhaps one of the most fascinating species to walk the Earth. Their likeness to humans is uncanny, with displays of laughter and sadness, and employing tools found within the jungle to assist with life in the forest. This comes as no surprise given that they share 98% of our DNA, however, instead of protecting our forest cousins, human impact poses many threats to gorilla populations across the globe.
By joining a gorilla volunteer project, you can play your part in the protection of these enchanting great apes, by encouraging responsible tourism and educating local communities on how, they too, can help.
Gorillas are vital components of the ecosystem, as they spread seeds throughout the forest from the foods they consume and make gaps in the trees which in turn allows sunlight to shine through, helping the jungle to thrive. Additionally, protecting gorilla habitat, in turn, safeguards indigenous communities living in the same forests as gorillas, as their homes are often impacted by habitat destruction. The preservation of gorilla habitat also has global benefits, for example, moisture produced from The Congo Basin jungle falls as rain in the US, so the depletion of these areas has drastic effects across the entire planet.
Volunteering with gorillas is a truly remarkable experience, as you get to witness these magical animals in their natural habitat, as well as help local communities to thrive and coexist with the apes in harmony. The Great Projects’ exclusive gorilla volunteer project cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world, so what are you waiting for? Secure a place to volunteer with gorillas today!
Gorillas At A Glance
ENDANGERED STATUS
EndangeredNUMBER REMAINING IN THE WILD
100,000 In TotalENDEMIC REGION
AfricaHow Endangered Are Gorillas
There are 4 species of gorilla, 3 of which are listed as critically endangered by WWF.
The most endangered of them all is the Cross River gorilla, with around 200-300 individuals remaining today. There are roughly just 1,004 Mountain gorillas alive today. However, this is a slight improvement from a population of 620 in 1989, but they are in no way out of the woods just yet.
Population numbers for both the Eastern and Western lowland gorillas are unknown as it is impossible to gather accurate data due to violence and civil unrest in their habitats. However, scientists estimate that there has been a decline of around 50% in the population of these species in the last 20 years alone.
Volunteering with gorillas helps to protect the apes, their habitat and the local communities which surround their range. Conservation efforts for gorillas are needed now more than ever.
Threats Gorillas Are Facing
Gorillas face many threats day after day, some which are the result of natural causes, but human activity has severely impacted gorilla populations over recent years.
- Disease – due to gorillas having such similar DNA to humans, they are susceptible to diseases like Ebola, TB, Scabies and more. Such diseases are transmitted through contact with humans, or when gorillas raid farms and villages in search of food.
- Habitat Loss – according to WWF, just 17% of gorilla populations live in protected regions, but the remaining 83% face threats from logging companies clearing forest to fuel the timber trade, communities making way for settlements, and oil and gas companies who reign in on gorilla territory.
- Weak Law Enforcement – the hunting of gorillas has increased over the years due to the bushmeat trade, and while the poaching of gorillas is illegal across the gorilla’s range, hunters, poachers and consumers are rarely apprehended.
Fast Facts
- Individual gorillas can be identified by their nose prints. Like fingerprints in humans, nose prints are unique per gorilla.
- A 2011 study revealed that gorillas use non-vocal ‘baby talk’ to communicate with infants. The study showed that gorillas over 3 years of age communicated with infants differently to adults. While the gestures are non-vocal, it was discovered that older gorillas would repeat gestures more with babies than with others, such as stroking their jaws.
- Female gorillas mother babies every four to 6 years and will give birth just three or four times in their lifetime. This low reproduction rate can make it difficult for gorillas to come back from a decline in their population.
- A silverback gorilla is the alpha male of the troop and the most experienced and mature. As the silverback is the leader he is responsible for the safety of the entire family.
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Gorilla Articles
The Bwindi Project - How The Great Gorilla Project Influenced Frank To Build A School!
After joining The Great Gorilla Project twice, volunteer Frank was inspired to help build a free school for Nteko village, which blossomed into The Bwindi Project! Read here, the incredible and touching moments spent on the project and how you can help the children of Nteko build a better future!
Angie Joins The Great Gorilla Project
Take a look at Angie’s guest post as she shares her experience on The Great Gorilla Project in January 2020.
Tina's Experience Of The Great Gorilla Project!
Volunteer Tina got in touch to tell us about her experience of her time in Uganda on The Great Gorilla Project and Lesley provided us with some incredible photos, take a look in today's blog post!
The Bwindi Project - How The Great Gorilla Project Influenced Frank To Build A School!
After joining The Great Gorilla Project twice, volunteer Frank was inspired to help build a free school for Nteko village, which blossomed into The Bwindi Project! Read here, the incredible and touching moments spent on the project and how you can help the children of Nteko build a better future!
The Great Gorilla Project Review - "More than an adventure, it is a trip of a lifetime!"
Take a look at this detailed and exciting volunteer review...
"If You Are Thinking About This Trip, All I Can Say Is Do It!" - Read About Eve's Time On The Great Gorilla Project!
Back in November one of our amazing volunteers travelled...
Volunteer Experience From The Great Gorilla Project - Read About Angela's Treks Through The Ugandan Mountains
Check out what Angela had to say about her time on the...
Where you can go
Contact Info
UK OfficeThe Great Traveller Ltd,
3 Dairy Yard
Star Street
Ware, Hertfordshire
SG12 7DX
United Kingdom
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30am–5:30pm
Sat 10am-4pm Foreign Office Travel Advice
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