Day 3: BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.
Wake up very early to a good breakfast to give you the energy needed for your gorilla trek.
At 0730, report to the ranger station for registration and briefing. At 0800, together with the
ranger guides and porters, you head for the forest to start on our adventure. The Ranger guides
will guide through the bush pushing your way through the undergrowth, parting thick creepers, to
track the gorillas.
The trek can take from half an hour to 7 hours – a reasonable degree of fitness is required as
well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes.
Once you are close to the group the guides will ask you to leave behind your bags as no food items
should be carried close to the gorillas. Just take your cameras with you as you are about to meet
the gentle giants!
Stand still in the forest and watch the gorillas, listening to them grumble to each other and
marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male; the silverback. It is an extraordinary feeling
sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of the last remaining mountain
gorillas – sadly enough there are only about 950 of these beautiful creatures left. You are
allowed exactly one hour with the gorillas before returning to the base station.
Please note:
please listen to the instructions of the local rangers at all times.
It is forbidden to approach the gorillas closer than 5 meters, to feed them or to use flash
photography. Likewise for your and their safety! You will be accompanied by armed guards which
guarantee your safety in an area where wild buffaloes are sighted. While walking, please feel
free to ask guides to slow down if they are going too fast and if you need a rest. There is the
additional option to hire porters on site.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority does not allow a trekking when you are sick as gorillas are very
susceptible of human diseases. Should you feel sick the day of the trek we urgently advise you to
abide this rule. In order to receive a 50% refund of the permit cost you MUST get a doctor’s
report that day (please ask your guide to arrange this for you).
We must also stress that, while you have a very good chance of seeing gorillas, success is NOT
guaranteed. They are wild creatures with no fixed routine and finding them requires the skills
and experience of your tracker sand guides, as well as luck. The trackers and guides have helped to
habituate the gorilla groups and know them intimately. They will take you to the area where they
left the gorillas the day before from there you track to the day’s position. When you find them,
you will spend one hour in their presence.
Return to the lodge to relax and reflect on your experience and sharing pictures.
Meals & Accommodation: Dinner and overnight, Rushaga Gorilla camp (cabins) FB.
