Gorilla Tracking

We had to wake up early and before sunrise we were on our way up to the misty mountains. After a long and bumpy road we finally reached our destination, the jungle high up above the mist. 

This area is the only one in the world where the mountain gorillas live in the wild. All in all there are 12 groups of them, where of 2 in Rwanda, 1 in DRC and the rest in Uganda. Where we are there are 5 groups. 

When you go for gorilla tracking first of all you need to apply for a permit in advance. The group going can be no more than eight plus the Rangers and guide. There is also a maximum of how many tracking groups are allowed in the entire area per day.

Every tracking group is given a specific gorilla group to track. Meaning there are always gorilla groups left alone.

Tracking is done by foot and no equipment like gps etc are used. This means you never know when, where or even if you will be able to track your group and actually see them.  If you should be unlucky and never find gorillas you are getting a 50% refund of your permit fee. 

I was determined, I didn't want any money back. I wanted value for my money! And stepped into that jungle with a great spirit and a big smile.

Two trackers were sent out before we arrive to try and help locate the gorillas. 

It was a lovely morning. The sun was shining and the jungle was shining in all different greens one can imagine. The pathway was a bit tricky at times with both small streams of water to cross and lots of mud. After about twenty minutes walk we got the message we all wanted. The trackers had located the group, and were only about 40 min away from us. The steps got lighter and the excitement raised. We were to see the gorillas today!

Not even 30 min later we could here them coming towards us in the thick vegetation. We stopped on the path, left our walking poles on the side and prepared cameras. Hardly had we done so when the first gorilla stepped out of the vegetation, just in front of us. WoW!! What a moment that was!!

In total they were about eight. Some of them just past us, some sat down at the side of the path for a snack of some fresh leaves. It was just so awesome!

One remind behind us and our guide asked us to step of the path on the one side to let him pass. But before he came pass another one suddenly jumped out from were he wasn't seen and run passed us trying to kick us. He never kicked anyone but I had his big strong foot and bum just cm's from my legs. 

We stayed for a bit to let all of them wander away before the Rangers took their machetes out and we went straight into to vegetation to try and follow the gorillas. We found them in and around a big tree. 

When they are located we have maximum one hour with them then we need to leave them alone.

Sometimes they come up to you and touches you. They are not afraid. However you are not allowed to touch them. We didn't have any that curious gorillas in our group, but a few sat and checked us out for a long time.

When our hour was up we headed back to the starting point the same way as we came in. We were very lucky to find them so close and so early, some has to trek for hours and hours.

This Kent we got back to camp early and had time to wash all the mud of shoes and clothes etc. 

What an awesome day!! An experience I will never forget!