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F.A.Q'S

The Great Gorilla Trek

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Gorilla Permits can be difficult get, yet there are often spare permits available from the overland trucks. We managed to get permits to view the Nkuringo Gorilla group in Bwindi National Park; no-one told us however that this is the most arduous trek in the three countries of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda!!
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So, blissfully ignorant of what was to follow, we set off with six passengers of an Acacia Overland Truck. They are all in their mid-20's and are a fun bunch, full of enthusiasm and energy.
The trek starts with a 3km walk down a very steep road which takes one into the valley where the rain forest begins.
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It was cool in the forest; an earthy smell pervaded while birds and chimpanzees broke the silence in the canopy above. We had decided to hire porters to carry our backpacks; this turned out to be an incredibly wise move! The terrain immediately became moist, slippery and very steep!
We climbed up and up and up, over treacherous roots, through boggy-mud, past huge ancient trees - but always up! After four and a half hours of solid slog, we got to the top of the mountain; tired but eager to see the Gorillas!
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After a bit more walking along the top of a ridge we found the trackers - and the Gorillas! At first they were high in the trees, munching on leaves and fruits. Before long they started to descend onto the forest floor. Two large Silverbacks swaggered along, while mother Gorillas tended their youngsters and the juveniles played around. They would stand up and thump their chests; it was just too amazing to ever impart in words just how incredible the hour we spent there was.
It is dark on the forest floor, so taking photographs was difficult as one cannot use a flash or move around too much.

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Strict rules apply to Gorilla trekking., so after our one hour, we returned to the ridge for a packed lunch. Talk filled the air as we chatted excitedly about our experience.
Before long though, it was time to head back down the very steep, slippery mountain! It was gratifying to note that even the young members of our group were tired! However, our group never let our spirits drop; laughter, jokes and even a bout of singing kept everyone putting one foot in front of the other.

It took an hour and a half to negotiate the route from the ridge back to the valley.
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We emerged from the forest and looked behind us; our guide pointed out to us where we had walked; if any of us had known the route beforehand, perhaps we would have chickened out! In the photo on the right, we climbed around the side of the hill and then up onto the ridge of the high mountain at the back.
While the view behind us was of the mountain we had scaled, in front of us was the road we had walked down earlier that morning; now, tired and footsore, we had to walk up!!

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Alan doggedly put one foot in front of the other and, with great determination and strength of character, progressed higher and higher and higher. I, on the other hand, was pretty pooped! So, two of the trackers helped me over the steepest stretches. There is usually a 4x4 vehicle to take the trekkers up the road, but it is out of service at the moment! Eventually, 10 hours after leaving the camp office, we arrived back at our starting point.
It was an accomplishment for us both; we would certain go Gorilla trekking again; but next time I'll make sure we're not on the most difficult gorilla trek there is!

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Above: Our happy, spirited, trekking group

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Highlights:
Best meal: The great garlic Fillet Steaks that we had with the folks from one of the Acacia Overland trucks. Thanks to Etienne and Charlie for their amazing hospitality!
Best moment: When the Gorillas came down from the tree tops and thumped their chests.
Worst moment: When we got out of the rain forest add looked up at the road we had to climb back to the camp office.

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