Above is a young Gorilla resting from the tourists. Susan Chan photo

BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST TREKS TO SEE THE RARE MOUNTAIN GORILLA

In the early 80's there were 242 Mountain Gorillas remaining. Today it is estimated, that there are 720 Mountain Gorillas in the wild, mainly due to  eco-tourism. They are concentrated in the mountains that Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo share. Uganda has been the most  successful in habituating families of Gorillas to accept human presence.

In the Bwindi Forest more than half the world's mountain gorillas live, plus there are many other primates: chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's Monkey, Blue Monkey, Olive Baboon, Patas Monkeys, Potto and Black & White Colobus, any of which you could see, while looking for Gorillas. The Chimps can be heard calling each other, while you sit on the balcony of your cabana.

Highly trained  rangers, of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA),  take you out to find and watch families of Gorillas. Before departure into the rain forest they will lecture you on certain rules: maximum 1 hour with the Gorillas once located, no physical contact because the Gorilla's are suceptible to the same diseases as humans, no flash photography, if you are sick you must remain behind, maximum distance from any Gorilla is about 10 meters, if there is a mock charge do not run but sit down and do not make eye contact.

There are 4  groups of Gorillas in Bwindi that UWA has habituated

1. The Mubare Group (M group) that consist of 11 individuals.

2. The Habinyanja group (H group) that consist of 23 individuals.

3. The Rushegura group (R group) that consist of 11 individuals.

4. The Nkuringo group (N group) that consist of 20 individuals.

UWA allows 8 people to visit each group of Gorillas per day for one hour. Resulting in 32 permits per day available. The chances of seeing the Gorillas are 99%, because they are tracked each day, so their general location is always known. It is possible, but extremely rare, for a visitor not to see Gorillas.

A 5th group of Gorillas is being habituated and the news from UWA is that soon tourist will be allowed to visit them.

Bwindi receives in excess of 70 inches (1800 mm) of rain per year, so the ground  is almost always muddy. Good hiking boots with tread, not smooth sole shoes are important. It can be cool in the evening due to elevation 1700 meters (5,525 feet), bring warm clothes for the night.

Bahr el jebel safaris uses the Buhoma Lodge as our comfortable base to return to (hot water showers, cold drinks and excellent service), while searching for Gorillas.

See the following 5 day Gorilla add-on safari you can take after or before your regular safari:

 Day 1