AMAZED BY THE GORILLAS OF AFRICA

With no doubt, there is no word that can explain the magical encounter with the remaining mountain gorillas in the world, unless you personally take a visit to their home and spend at least one hour with them what you will see you won’t see it anywhere else. It’s an extraordinary moment to sit with the few remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Only about 900 mountain gorillas are said to be left in the world and they are shared by three countries in Africa which is Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. There are three subspecies of gorillas including the low land gorillas, western low-land gorillas, cross river gorillas and the, mountain gorillas all these apes are found in Africa. Mountain gorillas are the most visited subspecies since they are habituated to human standards and they can be tracked safely in their natural habitat without any harm caused to human. Lowland gorillas can be tracked in the Democratic republic of Congo although meeting them is not a guarantee chance of meeting them stands very low. 

My friend who had visited Uganda for a gorilla safari told me how great it is when you come across the remaining mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, he tracked the gorillas in Bwindi impenetrablenational park and he tracked in the buhoma side of the park since it’s regarded as one of the easy to track gorilla family. He advised me this time round that I should include gorilla tracking if am to take a safari to Africa. I started saving money since he told me that to a Uganda gorilla tracking permit costs usd$ 600 per person so I had to prepare in advance since I wanted to travel with my wife on this magnificent gorilla safari.

After acquiring the money I needed, I booked with the same company Elephant Safaris Ltd) which he referred me to. I wrote to them inquiring for a 3 days gorilla safari to Uganda indicating my dates of travel, within few hours Augustine replied to me with a friendly price, I couldn’t wait to book with them. They sent me my safari itinerary indicating accommodation, safari activities, meals, transportation among others. On our day of travel, we jet into Entebbe international airport where we met our safari driver/ guide who briefed us about the safari and later drove us to our booked accommodation in Kampala. We were so excited, following the morning our driver came and picked us and drove us to southwestern part of Uganda to Bwindi impenetrable national park. On the way, we made stopovers at any interesting places including at the equator crossing at Kayabwe, we took snacks and photography, we also stopped at the drum making area and we bought some locally made items. From here with a fantastic view with rolling hills and fantastic views we continued up to the park, we arrived late in the evening, we relaxed at the lodge (Mohagany springs) as we wait for tomorrow’s most breathtaking moment in life gorilla tracking.

 I was always wondering how one can come close to these endangered mountain apes close in their natural habitat very deep in the forest. However since my friend had already shared the gorilla tracking experience with me and the film I read like that of Diane Fossy(gorillas in the mist) made me to realize they can be met safely in their natural habitat deep in the forest since they are habituated to human standards. Our guide informed us earlier that we should wake up every early on the day of gorilla tracking which we maintained. On calling us we were already awake, we took up our breakfast then after our guide drove us to the park headquarters where we met other trekkers, we were briefed by the park wardens about the dos and don’ts while with gorillas.  We joined other members and we become eight in a group, we followed the ranger guide to the forest to begin the search of our close relatives’ mountain gorillas. To each of us, since it was our first experience we were so excited, we trekked for about 3-4 hours passing through muddy and steep slopes until when we find them. We forgot all the troubles we met while searching them and we utilize the one hour strictly allowed with them. It was a breathtaking moment looking eye to eye with these few remaining endangered mountain gorillas, I wouldn’t believe that I was the one, a silver back started moving towards me but immediately my guide told me to squat down and let it to pass  but I was scared I thought it was going to harm me. In the process of tracking we met many other forest dwellers including primate species, birds and many butterflies. After observing as well as taking photos we went slowly back to the park headquarters, we received certificate of participating in the gorilla tracking activity, from here we drove back to lodge for late lunch. In the evening, we had time to visit the local community who entertained us through their cultural songs and music. 

Our last day of the safari was reserved for departure back home. Really this was a great experience, those who haven’t got this chance it’s high time to book a gorilla safari to Africa.