Safari Wildz

Bwindi Gorilla Treck

Your gorilla trek is sure to be the highlight of your trip. Up early you need to be at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station by 07.45. You are are allocated guides before heading into the forest. Here you will be offered a walking stick - take it it is very usefull in the slippery conditions. Also available at the ranger stations are porters. For around $20 they will pull and push you up the mountain side and in the rainly season are invaluable. You have paid $500 to see the gorilla the $20 goes to a local man living near the forest. Gorilla tracking permits are avilable from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The other good news if you think the cost of the permit is a bit steep 20% of the permit receipts goes to communities living around the the park boundarys and the rest to the Uganda Wildlife authority one of the main reasons the mountain gorilla is still so well protected and around today.
Habituation of a gorilla group takes a minimum of two years, with daily visits to allow the gorilla group to tolerate human presence. It is only when the gorillas are completely comfortable with human presence that tourists are allowed to share the daily hour of contact with them. Only eight poeple are able to track each habituated group. The walk to find the gorillas may be as short as two hours, but it will generally take 2-4 hours to find them as their territory can range up to 40km. Initial trackers go in to the forest first while you are being breifed and locate the night nest of the gorilla from the day before. They then track the gorilla to their new position. They are in radio contact with your guide and will direct him to your meeting place. The park rangers and guides will clear the way and assist you through the forest. You will need good fitness to make this walk and the going can be slippery and tough at times. Once the gorilla group is located you will spend an hour with them as they feed, rest and play.

Sitting with the mountain gorilla is one of the most amazing wildlife experiences you will ever have. A dominant male silverback can weigh over 200 kilos and is the largest living primate. He will control your meeting as well as deciding when his group will eat, sleep and move on. His females care for their young with affection and playfulness but also with discipline. They are very curious, and are capable of making over 25 different vocalisations, including chuckling and purring. Communication also includes posturing, chest beating and if all else fails - the charge! The privilege of spending an hour with this family group is an experience that will never leave you. After your hour is up, you wind your way slowly out of the forest and back to the camp to swap stories about your amazing experience.

For the gorilla trek bring at least two litres of water you will need it, the guides also insist you must take a packed lunch in to the forest with you if you dont eat it you can share it with the guides and porters. Take some money in case you want to buy a tshirt or carved gorilla that are for sale at some of the gorilla trailheads, you need your passport and gorilla permit with you to check in. Walking boots, or waterproof trainers and socks. You need to wear long pants whilst walking in the bush due to stinging nettles. Layers are best, as conditions in the tropical rain forest can change from hot to wet and cold in an instant. Start with a long sleeved t-shirt and long pants thick socks and boots, add a fleece and rainproof jacket and you should be right for all conditions. At some of the trailheads they have rain jackets for hire but this is not guaranteed. Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park where the gorillas reside is a high altitude rainforest so come prepared for all conditions.

Anti-histamine cream is useful if you get too close to any stinging nettles; the gorillas are immune to these, so often choose this soft place to rest. Gloves can sometimes be a handy addition. A small day pack is very useful to carry water, lunch and cameras. Today can be a long day but 100% worth it. At the end of the track you will be presented with a tracking certificate. there is one more thing you need to remember and its hard dont spend all your time looking at these amazing animals through a camera lens.

Size of Habituated gorilla groups in Uganda 2010

Mubare Group 5 gorilla

Habinyanja Group 18 gorilla

Rusegura Group 19

Nkuringo Group 19

Bitakura Group 13

Nshongi Group 36

Kyaguriro Group 16



Size of habituated Gorilla Groups in Rwanda June 2010

Suza 28


Karisimbi 15


Amahoro 17


Sabinyo 10


Agashya 24


Kwitonda 20


Hirwa 12

Hi Kaz from Safari Wildz here. We have created this blog spot to keep clients friends and family updated while we are on safari. Im hoping we can add photos and updates as we go. Cheers Kaz