Uganda gorillas

The expedition? What should I take with me?

This is the day! We wake up early feeling a surge of adrenaline and excitement, despite it only being 6:30 AM. Why so early? Because the assembly and briefing start at 8:00, so… quick morning routine, breakfast, and we’re ready to go. Most lodges and hotels are located about 10-15 minutes’ drive from the starting point. By the way, it’s worth mentioning that the views from some of them are amazing, so it’s worth arriving at your accommodation in the afternoon to enjoy the Uncharted Bwindi Forest.

At the site, we see about 60 people, divided into 8 groups of around 8 people each. This means that there are currently 8 mountain gorilla families that accept human presence. We’ll describe the habituation process in another thread.

At 8:00, the planned briefing begins, during which we learn the basic and most important information about the trekking itself and how to behave when we find them. After about 30 minutes, we fill out a registration form and prepare to set off.

At the starting point, we are given wooden walking sticks to help us during the mountain ascent. Therefore, it’s worth bringing gloves to avoid hand abrasion. Before we start, each of us must wear a protective face mask. Why? Because 98% of their DNA is similar to ours, so the risk of transmitting human diseases is very high.

Starting our trek in search of gorillas, we must be prepared for weather changes akin to mountainous regions. Therefore, the most important things are appropriate clothing, water, and food supplies. No one knows how long it will take because these animals move every day in search of food. If you’re lucky, we might find them in about 1.5 hours, if not, it could take up to 6 hours. After this time, we return to the camp. Currently, the chance of encountering them is almost 100%.

How do we know where to go? How to search for them? Well, there are two groups of guides. The first goes into the mountains around 6:00 AM and heads to where they were seen the day before. This is a reference point where they find tracks and the direction the gorillas moved. The second group of guides goes out with the tourists.

It’s worth noting that this expedition is for people aged 16 and above who are able to hike for several hours in a mountain forest, both uphill and downhill. The only convenience you can allow yourself is hiring a local helper who will carry your backpack and assist you during the trek. The cost of this service is currently around $20.

Weather… We usually start in bright sunlight, but rain may occur along the way… heavy rain, so dress accordingly.

Key items include waterproof trekking shoes, appropriate high socks, preferably made of merino wool. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, preferably moisture-wicking. Additionally, bring anything that will help protect you from the rain: a rain jacket or a backpack cover.

How much water? It’s a very individual matter. People who drink little should bring at least 1 liter of water, preferably 1.5 liters.

Our expedition can last up to 6-8 hours, so everything we take, we’ll carry with us. I recommend bringing healthy protein bars to stave off hunger without weighing too much. Fortunately, there’s no need for any repellents, but it’s worth bringing sunscreen with SPF protection.

After finding the gorilla family, we can spend 1 hour with them and must maintain a distance of about 10 meters from them. This distance may shorten significantly, but only if the gorillas are willing! We… were lucky and were surprised twice by their close proximity. As mentioned earlier, throughout our interaction, we must wear protective face masks.

On our way back, we crossed paths with another pair who were very interested in the white homo sapiens.

Emotions… kept us going until the end of the day!

What to bring (List):

  1. Trekking shoes and high socks – prepare for mud and sometimes steep climbs.
  2. Appropriate clothing – definitely long pants, a short-sleeved shirt to start, then a long or thin hoodie later. Preferably moisture-wicking. A cap with a visor for those sensitive to the sun.
  3. Rain jacket – a must-have! You start in the sun, but be prepared for anything along the way.
  4. Water. Assume it could take 6-8 hours.
  5. Work or garden gloves – to avoid abrasions and cuts.
  6. Small, light, healthy snacks – I recommend protein bars that are not heavy but will help in a crisis.
  7. Sunscreen – especially since the sun heats up very strongly in the morning.
  8. Protective mask – we don’t want to bring any human diseases to the gorillas.
  9. Blister patches.
  10. Backpack to pack everything. 😊
  11. Camera and phone. I recommend having a phone with video capability ready throughout the gorilla search. You never know when they’ll surprise you… (FILM)
  12. Wet wipes and a small trash bag. We NEVER leave trash in the forest!

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