My Gorilla

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  • 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.