My Gorilla

Author: admin

  • Gorilla Trekking on Budget

    Have less money but you would like to go on a gorilla trekking safari in Africa? Here is a guide to planning a budget gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo.

    Full of amazing life lasting memories and natural attractiveness, gorilla trekking in Africa is ultimate adventure but isn’t always easy to arrange on budget. The adventure is also taken as one of the most expensive in the world but if you make a right choices of the trek, travel in right times and use right accommodations, it won’t be. If you dream of someday visiting Africa on a budget gorilla trekking tour, you don’t have to be a millionaire but just work it out right with smart gorilla trip planners and experts and your dream will come true.

    Gorilla Permits

    The Gorilla permit is always the main core of the trek. The cheapest gorilla permits are for Bwindi forest and Mgahinga national park in Uganda and Virunga National Park for Congo that range from US$450 to US$800. However, it’s very easy to get a quick bus ticket to the gorilla park in Uganda and also arrange multiple rides to other attractions you will be interested in  if backpacking unlike in other. Depending on how many destinations you want to visit, a self drive car hire can work best than a private tailor made tour. But the other side is that Rwanda gorilla permits look pricy has the most short gorilla treks ever. Being short makes it cheap and affordable for those interested in Budget gorilla trekking tours.

    Where to Stay

    For Budget accommodations and hostels look no further than Uganda and Rwanda as long as you time your trip. Hotel rates vary but range between US$5 – US$15  per night a budget that can’t break your bank. One of the benefits of using hostels and budget accommodation is that you save as you enjoy because most them offer great services beyond price.

    The list of good hostels in Rwanda and Uganda include, Kampala backpackers hostel, Bwindi backpackers lodge, fat cats hostel, Golden monkey hostel, Buhoma Rest Camp, Bwindi view bandas, gorilla friendly campsite, Youth hostel Rwanda, Kinigi guest house etc.

    What Trips to Take

    The most done budget gorilla treks are the

    • 3 days gorilla trekking tour
    • 2 days gorilla trekking tour Rwanda
    • 1 day gorilla trek Rwanda, and a
    • 5 day gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda & Uganda

    Choosing one of the above trips is an assurance that you will spend less and experience more. Consider in mind that each trip is cheap but the experience is same of meeting gorillas in their home. Many gorillas’ families have been habituated and available for tourists daily provided one has a gorilla gate pass to see them.

    Mornings for the trek are too exciting and ready for since it’s a dream come true in life on a life changing Africa holiday. Treks are manageable in both seasons despite the few rains that usually fall in months of April, May and November. But this can’t stop you from booking a gorilla trekking tour in  April, May or November because there are chances of tracking  at only $450 USD since Uganda  uses these months to promote gorilla travel. However, Uganda gorilla tours are the most cheapest since permits cost less than the usual price.

    Food & Drinks

    If you love eats, cheap ones are everywhere and you have variety to taste including local dishes but make sure you eat and clean restaurants to prevent health hygiene problems. Drinks and eats in restaurants cost between $5-$10 dollars and some run promotions on weekends especially Saturday and Sunday. Soft drinks like sodas, wines, beers make a perfect cool off especially on a hot day. However, every gorilla tour  include many of the safari highlights ,such as the Uganda Equator, Batwa people, Golden monkey trek, Ibywachu cultural village, Dian Fossey tomb, Kigali city, Kampala city, and many more.

  • Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: Tips for An Unforgettable Experience

    As interesting putting food in the mouth, gorilla tracking is one of the safari activities that is not isolated or missed by tourists when they are having a safari of their lifetime as this activity can’t be missed in menu of the various activities they want to explore which will bring you closer to related human beings. Some of the Gorillas families that are tracked include the following: Susa made up of 41 gorillas, Sabyinyo, Amahoro etc.

    Just like in other countries like Uganda, where gorilla tracking is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and in DRC, it is done in Virunga national park. For Rwanda, it is done in volcanoes national park which is located in the northwest of Rwanda considered to be the only national park where gorilla trekking can be done. Primate tracking  in Rwanda is done by various touring companies as the packages for this tracking ranges from 2 days to 12 day trekking Rwanda  which gives a wide variety of Gorilla groups to be trekked.

    More so, to even start trekking these so called primates in volcanoes national park, a tourism permit must be issued by the body concerned with tourism called Rwanda tourism board. This gives license to the tourists of which type of gorillas to be trekked at that moment. Permits for Rwanda Gorilla Trekking goes for around 750 dollars per day of which some bid of the money goes to the communities around the national park for development and well being of people around it. A primate tracking is most suitable in the dry months of June to September and also December, January and February making this activity easier than ever before as you will see below.

    Although Gorilla tracking in volcanoes national park  starts from 20 minutes to three quarters of the day in the evening, their some requirements that are needed to do this activity as tourists will go through a couple of challenges like rain, muddy soil, insects e.g. aunts which needs some bid of wearing strong shoes etc. These are some of the requirements needed to trek this amazing Gorillas are as follows.

    Tip number one is dressing according to the Safari activity. Wear shirts made of synthetic material which tend to dry faster. This is due to the fact that in most cases, this activity may be done in the rainy season which needs some bid of drying faster to make the tourist more comfortable. Their after you are advised at the bottom to wear long pants made of synthetic material which also tends to dry faster than  other type of clothes making the Safari more sweet and affordable to do . The other clothes like short jeans will make the activity more difficult to do as they will make the tourist uncomfortable and unable to walk properly.

    Wear proper foot wear(boots) that is reaches above the ankle, this is because while moving though this good scenery of tropical forests, there will be thorns, sticky plants that may endanger the lives of the tourists most especially the legs.  This will help you to move though the muddy soils, dangerous insects like the aunts that are of a danger to the lives of the human beings. On top of that, wear gators over those boots so that you can cover the remaining space which might be used to enter other staff like water making the tourist unreliable to do. On top of that wear high rubber willies with treads on the boots.

    Pack enough food and water before you come for this activity as it mostly takes you a long period of time from morning to the evening hours during the dry months of June to September. This may be in form of snacks, a bottle of water most especially a liter is enough for the all day and it is advisable  for one to bring these items along with him or herself  after all some companies do provide some food to the tourists before proceeding to national park. When you have reached the park in side, you are not allowed to give any food to these gorillas which might endanger the life span of these primates.

    Speak about your trekking preferences meaning that you as the tourist will have to communicate to specific company you had booked with to inform them about your fitness level and other diseases you may be facing  plus also what type of Gorilla you might want to see first. This enables the guide to assign you to a group that is in with your range which you can afford to do as some of tracking groups may even track within or  just outside the national park.

    Making sure that video camera is working in good conditions and already for use. The first thing is to put in mind is that light from camera shouldn’t be there as long as it does not disturb the movements of the so called primates. These photographs which are made tend to be of a darked exposure because of the so many trees that are situated in the park more so a camera should be kept in a water proof bag so that water does not disturb its settings

    Go for Gorilla tracking activity in a dry season is other tip for gorilla tracking meaning that the best months for Gorilla tracking are from June to September and also from December, January and February as these months tend to be dry because in the dry periods, movements of people within the park is much easier than ever before plus also cars are able to move in those roads drive safely. And that is why tourists are advised to come in the dry months although; they can also come in any period of the year. The wet months include the following march, April, May etc.

    Practice Gorilla etiquette meaning that you should start and learn to respect the environment of these primates such as their behavior and knowing that you a visitor to them. Don’t be afraid to these primates as they are close friendly to the human beings. More so if they approach you, don’t just run for hide out as they think that you have stolen something from them which marks in the end of the tips for Gorilla tracking in Rwanda.

  • Rewards from Gorilla Trekking in Africa

    Gorilla trekking is one of the best wildlife safari experiences in the world. To many wildlife lovers, gorilla trekking is on top on their bucket list! A large number of travelers travel to East and Central Africa majorly to see the gorillas – meeting gorillas in their natural habitat is a life changing event!

    Top Destinations

    There are a few destinations where travelers can go gorilla trekking in Africa.

    In Africa, you can do gorilla trekking in Nigeria, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Central African republic among others.

    Some people believe that dying before encountering gorillas is like treason case.

    The Virunga Region

    It is noted by many travelers that enjoy gorilla safaris to the Virunga region is the best option among all!!

    The Virunga Region combines Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park and Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park.  Gorilla trekking is Virunga Region rewards the trekkers with wonderful view of the Virunga Mountains which include Karisoke Volcano, Karisimbi Volcano, Mikeno Volcano, Nyiragongo Volcano, Nyamuragira Volcano, Gahinga Volcano among others.

    Below are the benefits/ skills obtained from Gorilla trekking:

    The exercise done or the walk to meet gorillas, reward trekkers physical fitness .The trek involves moving through slippery trails, crossing rivers, climb hills among others.

    Each gorilla group is visited by the maximum of eight people under the guidance of ranger guides. There is a sense of team work created – the group work together for the common goal of meeting Gorillas.

    Trekkers obtain skills of photographing – it is a big mistake to trek gorillas without a camera, this is a life time event and you need to return back home with evidences of the exercise/ experience.  As you take many photos of Gorillas, you gain more skills on how to take clear photos.

    Climbing hills and sloping into valleys while trekking Gorillas is an initial practice for serious mountaineering. The exercise prepares you for future mountain climbing exercise.

    Trekkers gain techniques of answering questions – rangers are readily available to answer all the questions asked by trekkers. The more questions you ask, the more knowledgeable you become and the more questioning skills you gain.

    Trekkers gain observation skills – as you look at the gorilla critically, you slowly learn how to observe things and make reasonable analysis.

    As you grasp information about gorillas (information given by ranger guides) – you learn more about their behaviors, feeding habits, how they sleep, how they defend them selves among others. The information can be used by bloggers to promote their websites hence promoting business.

  • How Close Are Gorillas Related to Humans

    Formerly, Human beings were separated and put in their own taxonomic family known as the hominidae while the apes were normally put under the pongidae. This separation was mainly based on certain anatomical specialization, mainly the highly developed human brain and the unique locomotion. More recently, most experts have concluded that this view is out of date.

    According to their research, the chimpanzees are the closest relatives of humans, the next in line are the gorillas. The orangutans are only remotely related to the other species.The genetic material of apes is identical to that of humans to a very large degree. Differences are especially small in the nuclear DNA. Although chimpanzees and bonobos are the closest relatives of humans, gorillas resemble us more in some respects as the account below will labor to elucidate;

    The gorillas’ hands and feet resemble the human ones more than those of other apes. Gorillas spend more time on the ground than other apes. Therefore their feet are more suited to walking. This is especially true for the mountain gorillas.

    Male gorilla can reach 1.7 m on average as far as height is concerned. Western gorillas are the shortest subspecies with an average height of less than 1.7 m.This is totally in resemblance to the pygmies whose height measures to a tune of 1.5m.Male western gorillas have a mean weight of 140-160 kg, male mountain gorillas 150-160 kg just like the weight of a very fat human being.

    At an age of 35 or more, gorillas show distinct signs of age. Old mountain gorillas often suffer from arthritis, which mainly damages the bones in their hands and feet. They also suffer from the loss of teeth as a consequence of periodontitis, so that they have a problem with feeding. It takes them longer to feed and to travel than the other group members. Gorilla groups adjust their activities accordingly and look after the aged members, in a similar way as they treat sick individuals. Only when death is imminent, the old animals are sometimes abandoned or they retreat on their own accord. This is exactly commensurate to the human way of life after aging. They lose their teeth, develop grey hair as well as being very tired and worn out.

    To date, no research has been conducted into how strong gorillas are compared to humans. Comparisons cannot be made very easily. Some people say that a silverback male is ten times stronger than a man while others claim a silverback is 27 times stronger. However, much as they are very strong, their strength is only compared to that of a human being. A gorilla male probably looks much stronger than he actually is, as he doesn’t have that much more muscle tissue than humans. Even so it is very difficult to bring gorillas under control when they are aggressive or when they are panicking. Even a four-year-old gorilla is difficult for a single person to control.

    Of all primates, humans have the heaviest brain by far, averaging 1,250 g. Second comes the gorilla with a brain weight of approximately 500 g. However, brain size alone is not a reliable indicator of the animal’s mental abilities. If the relationship between brain and body weight is considered, the gorilla comes last in a comparison with the other apes and humans. Compared to chimpanzees, gorillas are calm, reserved and patient. They are less adaptable and curious than chimpanzees and they don’t show the same inclination to imitate. These two ape species have completely different characters – and that is why it is not easy to compare their intelligence.

    Apes cannot learn a language in the human sense. Therefore some researchers have tried to teach them sign language. The first gorilla to receive language training was Koko. She was born in San Francisco Zoo in 1971. When she was 6 months old, Francine Patterson started to care for her and to teach her sign language. After only 2 weeks, Koko used two signs: those for ‘eating’ and ‘drinking’. After 10 years she had a good command of 500 signs and she had correctly used 1,000 signs at least once. She learnt the signs by imitation and by having her hands moved into the right position by her teacher.

    According to research to date, free-ranging gorillas use tools very rarely – in contrast to chimpanzees. As there is always a surplus of food plants, there is no need to use tools. However, they are certainly capable of making tools. They use sticks to probe the depth of the water. A young gorilla male in a zoo was observed to break up a rock and to use its sharp edge to scrape off bark from a branch in order to eat it. In contrast to other ape species that often work with their mouths; gorillas use only their hands to manipulate objects. For fine movements they use either their index finger or index finger and thumb by positioning the thumb opposite the index finger. Doing this, they use their hands almost exactly like humans.

  • Honeymoon Safari with the Gorillas in Africa

    There is nothing more exciting than taking a gorilla trek during your honeymoon or anniversary. Many people always look out for something new to do during their holiday. After consulting our Africa safari expert, we were recommended to take a safari through Eastern Africa. We later found out that tracking the endangered mountain gorillas on our honey moon was the most exciting adventure.

    Planning a Honeymoon Trip

    Many people who have just married get confused when deciding on where to spend their honey moon! From choosing the right destination to choosing which adventure activity to be included in your holiday is quite confusing. It’s very important to spend your honey in a place you’ve never been. It is also advisable to plan your honeymoon together with your partner well in advance! If you are like me and would like to spend this time in Africa, you also need to work out your travel plans well in advance with a reliable tour operator or safari expert. You must know that your honey moon is such a special moment in life very difficult to forget, so we are all much concerned to plan it in a special way and enjoyable.

    With our travel planner, we were given various options to choose from. We were give a choice to include gorilla trekking in Uganda on a 12 Days Safari that included Kenya & Rwanda. Though most people think leisurely activities like game viewing are as absolutely the best things to do, we looked at having a more active holiday! That’s why we included gorilla trekking, a more active adventure so that we can have what we regarded as the best honey moon safari! Indeed East Africa as a destination offers one the best safaris in Africa with very many incredible attractions that can be included in an itinerary.

    Gorilla Trekking

    Spending your honey moon with the gorillas in the Bwindi Forest National Park in the south western part of Uganda and or Volcanoes national park in Rwanda (north western part of Rwanda) is a memorable lifetime experience! It is the best thing to do on such a great day in your life. These two nations are a home to the endangered mountain gorillas – only 900 mountain gorillas are left in the world! These great apes are found in only Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    Spending some time with these gorilla species deep in the forest is truly rewarding. We used a tour operator to organize everything – booking gorilla permits, organizing transport and also the accommodation part of your safari. There are many other adventures in Uganda or Rwanda! You can include other adventures to make sure that something special is organized for you! It is also advisable to check out the given lodges for your overnight stay that have been included in your holiday. This is always a surprise to spice up your stay in Uganda or Rwanda.

    Gorillas are fabulous fan to watch in their natural habitat as tracking involves moving deep into the forest with a ranger guide in a group of other eight members who are allowed to track these giants in each gorilla group, trekking also involves having an encounter with other forest dwellers like primates species, birds of different species, plant and butterfly species, all these makes the trek very interesting and the ranger guide will be there to give you all the necessary information on any forest species you meet on the way during the search, and ounce these apes are met you are strictly allowed one hour while with these giants.

    On your honey still you can mix the love of gorillas with other wildlife as from Bwindi impenetrable national park to queen Elizabeth national is just about 3-4 hours’ drive as you will be fortunate to meet the rare tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector of the park, this is amazing and it will make your honey moon safari more amazing, other animals that you will come across include elephant, buffaloes, antelope species among others. However much, trekking with the gorillas of Uganda or Rwanda the gorilla tracking experience on such a great day in life remains the same. For any honeymoon safari including gorillas, we take the lead. Book with us any gorilla safari we shall give you the best.

  • Budget Alternatives to Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

    Rwanda a former budget and luxury gorilla safari destination in Africa changed its gorilla safari market to only Luxury after the increase of gorilla permits from US$750-US$1500 but still the country is incredible for all kinds of travelers. The increment in price of the Rwanda gorilla permits is aimed at more conservation effort of wildlife and primate as well as developing the local communities around Volcanoes national Park was not pleasing to many budget travelers who had hope in tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda but it created opportunities for travelers to discover two different great gorilla destinations at ago that is Rwanda and Uganda.

    Fly to Rwanda & Track Gorillas in Uganda

    Travelers who fly to Rwanda and Track gorillas in Uganda enjoy the beautiful attractions of both countries hence carrying home a bunch of memories and stories to tell. Rwanda Uganda gorilla safari tours are very flexible and amazing because it involves driving less and exploring more. This is a new travel trend for travelers who want to explore Rwanda and Uganda on gorilla and wildlife safari tours.Usaually tourists are picked up from Kigali international airport by their trip organizer nd explore Kigali city before crossing the boarder to Bwindi forest for gorilla tracking, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth, before returning back to Rwanda for chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe and also spend some time in leisure at Lake Kivu.

    During the safari you will find that all the destinations are awesome  and if money and time  permits , it would be good to go on safari to Uganda and Rwanda.Looking at the endless views in the land of thousand hills –Rwanda make all the drives in the country scenic, the city organization and rich Rwanda culture  take you close to the local life of Rwanda people and same applies when you cross the border of Gatuna to Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi  impenetrable national park. After the trek, an afternoon with the Batwa people of the forest who still behave and live in the ancient world is another bonus for tracking gorillas in Uganda.

    Above all, travelers on different safari to Uganda and Rwanda believe that Rwanda gorilla permit increase  was another way of telling them to explore more other destinations unlike Rwanda alone.”We wouldn’t have known how it feels to track gorillas in Uganda and also to explore other beautiful tourism attractions like Lake Bunyonyi, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale forest  and Murchison falls  because our center of interest was just Rwanda before” says Keen Myles one of the traveled enjoying his 15 day trip in Uganda and Rwanda. Surely Uganda and Rwanda has a lot to offer for those ready to experience the extra ordinary any time soon.

  • Discounted Gorilla Permits for Low season 2017

    Discounted Gorilla Permits for Low season 2017

    Its only in Uganda where discounted gorilla permit offers run twice a year both at the beginning and in the end giving a  chance to those who travel in the beginning of year and in the end. This offer excites gorilla tracking tourists to Africa because none of them misses. In fact Uganda is home to the highest population of mountain gorillas in the world plus abundant wildlife and other primate species that can entertain travelers on different tour schedules. The country is also a home to mountain Rwenzori one of the tallest mountain ranges in Africa and a great place for those interested in mountaineering and gorilla tracking safaris. Here are some of the ways how discounted gorilla permits in Uganda make travelers excited.

    Affordable Gorilla Tours

    With discounted gorilla permits in Uganda, all gorilla safari tours for the month of April, May and November are affordable and pocket friendly a thing that excite travelers. Imagine tracking gorillas at only $800 all inclusive, transport accommodation and Gorilla permit. This also makes Uganda a top budget gorilla safari destination year round for all kinds of travelers since all tour essentials are discounted in the promotional months. If you are planning to track gorillas on budget, make sure you book your gorilla safari tour in the discounted months of the year.

    Best Choice destination for every one

    Uganda has always been a great travel destination for many in Africa and discounted gorilla permits make it a choice for more travelers to Africa either for budget or Luxury safaris. Discounted gorilla permits are for every one so benefits are enjoyed by whoever chooses to visit Uganda in the month of April, May and November. Choosing to track gorillas in Uganda is another way fo saving big on your holiday expenditures which enable travelers take on other tour adventures that they had postponed due to limited funds. Can’t this excite you to save for your dream upcoming holiday by tracking gorillas in Uganda on discount?.

    Group Gorilla Tour

    During April, Maya nd November, there are many group gorilla tours organized by different tour operators  with interest of bring travelers of the same interest together. Meet new friends both on safari and in the jungle forest a home for primates and other forest habitants. Group gorilla tours are cheap and are arranged at the beginning of year and in the end to enable every primate lover to fulfill their travel dream of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural home. Gorillas are great beautiful forest creatures that have a rare impressive attractive look that looking in the eyes of the silverback as it monitors its family members and watching the juvenile play around tree branches in front of their mothers, father and other family members is an incredible experience that thousands yarn to experience in Africa. When Uganda opened doors for discounted gorilla permits until 2018, this excited many adventurers and gave them hope to fulfill their life travel dream.

  • Top Gorilla Safaris in Africa

    Top Gorilla Safaris in Africa

    It’s known that perfect gorilla safari holidays are found in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo but the demand depends on the travelers’ interest and budget. However, every gorilla safari experience make Africa a top destination but here is a list of the most loved gorilla treks that you may find pleasing  to take on or advise a friend heading to Africa for gorilla trekking.

    2-3 Days Gorilla Treks

    The 2-3 day tours are most done in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo especially for travelers with limited time. Its has always been the best option to explore the secret jungle wild forests of gorillas on short notice, Tourist find it fine to start a 2 day gorilla trek in Kigali and track gorillas in Uganda or do a three day Rwanda gorilla tour or 3 day Uganda gorilla safari tour or 3 day Congo gorilla tour to Virunga national park. All the above gorilla tours are good for budget and luxury travelers who struggle to fix time and experience the other side of the beautiful countries in Africa. Don’t miss to experience the life in the wild with gorillas for 2-3 days and search for the unique forest creatures.

    Gorillas & Wildlife Safaris

    Do you want to see gorilla and wildlife; this is a perfect gorilla safari tour that takes you to see gorillas, chimpanzees, wildlife, birds, hippos and crocodiles but organized in Uganda to Queen Elizabeth national Park and Bwindi forest National Park. See all the above in just 4 days and 3 nights. These two parks are well stocked with everything that including amazing views and tree climbing lions. The two Uganda national parks are also known for fabulous tour adventures as well as the most visited in the country. However, those with enough time can spend more 2 days in the same destination since they really have a lot in stock to offer and in that case a 5-6 day gorilla and wildlife safari Uganda can do.

    Gorillas and Nyiragongo Hike

    This tour will start and end in Kigali, hiking Nyiragongo active Volcano in Democratic republic of Congo with overnight at the top and then tracking the mountain gorillas in either Virunga national park or Volcanoes National park-Rwanda. It’s wonderful for choice for the fit and adventurers and the reward is lifetime memories that never fade. However, one should be looking at exploring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. 4-5 days are enough for this trip and its affordable for both budget and luxury travelers.

    Lowland & mountain Gorilla Trekking Tours

    Tracking gorillas has always been the top wildlife encounter in Africa but tracking both low land and mountain gorillas is a great encounter that takes you to two different jungle forests of Virunga and Kahuzi Biega. Both treks look similar but the experience is totally different worth exploring. No need to embark on long road drives from Virunga national park to Kahuzi Biega national park yet the easy route by boat waits.

    However, if you just want to track gorillas twice in the same jungle forest  of your choice is something that tour agents organize occasionally hence offering the best double trekking gorilla safari experiences in Africa.

  • Trekkers Excited By The Gorilla Family With New Infants

    Gorilla trekking is one of the activities done in Volcanoes national park-Rwanda with over 10 gorilla groups which are open to tourists and 2 open to researchers. Apart from gorilla trekking, the park also offers other activities such as Golden monkey trekking, cultural walks, nature walks among others.

    In Uganda, gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with about 20 estimated gorilla groups/ families among which 10 are habituated and open to trekkers/ tourists but one reserved to researchers.

    Oruzogo is one of the gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest open to tourists. The group has of recent received new additions and has now become one of the incredible families to visit in Bwindi impenetrable forest.

    A tourist who was on a 7 days Uganda gorilla Safari and visited the Oruzogo gorilla family and gave a thrilling feedback that impressed many people to the extent of feeling like booking a gorilla safari to trek the same group in the following days.

    Below is how the client narrated the gorilla trek

    “Gorilla trekking is not just a mere trip or a visit but instead a safari to refresh you and also getting a memorable experience. L stood near the gentle giants, watched how the mothers where grooming the young ones, the mother protecting and providing safety to the infants, giving them a kind and affectionate touch beyond that of human beings offer to their babies. The other family members where quite and had nothing to worry about. Our guide was superb, giving detailed information about the life of gorillas and also answering all questions that where burning us. A dominant male who was referred to as the Silverback was huge and indeed respected by every member in the family”.

    The guide explained that Birungi and Mutesi are the mothers of the babies. The other juveniles within the family were by the names of Kanywani and Buchura however the new born baby was not yet identified.  Otaka, Kiromba, Kakobe, Buhura, Busungu and Nakiina among others are also part of the group/ family.

    Oruzogo gorilla group is a gorilla family found in Ruhija- the northern part of Bwindi, it is a 2 hours drive to get to the starting point. It sounds as a long drive but worth it after visiting the gorillas. Be part of this incredible and memorable experience as you trek the most adventurous primate species in the world.

  • Expedition to the Walikale Jungle

    At the request of Turner Prize-winning artist Steve McQueen, in September 2006 gorilla guide. Greg Cummings led an expedition into the forests of the Walikale Region of DR Congo, as part of a film McQueen was making.  The expedition party – which included the film crew, 20 local porters, a chef, and a priest – set out from Walikale Town in the back of a pick-up, but after some 12 kilometers the road ceased to exist, whereupon they proceeded on foot. It took them three days, walking an average of 10 kilometers a day to reach the mining village in the middle of the jungle, where the crew shot just 20 minutes of 35 mm footage. They returned via chartered plane, through Goma, and the expedition was deemed a complete success.

    You can take the same expedition on Google Earth by downloading the place mark here. Launch your software, then click the play button on your ‘Places’ panel to run the expedition.

    Who is Greg Cummings?

    He is the Expert Gorilla Guide. Greg Cummings is an award-winning conservationist, author, and one of the most experienced gorilla safari hands in Africa. He has been leading tours to meet your hairy mountain cousins for nearly two decades now, and knows his way around most of their habitats, including Virunga, Bwindi, Kahuzi Biega, Walikale, Mt. Tshiaberimu, Cross River and Moukalaba Doudou.

    Since he learned to walk, Greg Cummings has been stomping the Rift Valley: first as a UN brat, then variously as a free-lance journalist, relief worker, wildlife conservationists, safari guide, UN consultant, bar manager, and last but not least, published author. He is endlessly entertained by the people, culture and stories from the region of the Rift, and wonders if there’s any subject about which he hasn’t formed some opinion.