There are only 700 odd Mountain Gorillas left in the world – half in Rwanda and the other half here in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – and on the 1st December 2009 we went looking for them. We were fully prepared to walk all day through the mountains to find them and were decked out with trekking gear, 2 litres of water and a packed lunch to keep us going for what could be a nine hour day in Bwindi. However the family we were allocated to see – Rushegura – were a mere 15 minute stroll from base camp so we didn't have long to wait before we found them.
As we stopped in a clearing for a last minute briefing from our guides we could hear movement behind in the trees and sure enough when we turned round there was the baby of the family in the branches and some adults lounging in the grass eating breakfast. You are only allowed to spend exactly one hour with the gorillas and our hour started from then. As well as the baby we saw the rest of the group including a number of infants, black backs (younger males) and females. At first they played game by posing in the clearing for some photos before retiring to the undergrowth. We followed and there watching us all along was the Silverback, the head of the family. At over 400 pounds you can imagine we were hesitant in going too close but our guides made sure we got some good shots. Then something must have riled him and he rose to his feet for a bit of chest popping action. We all held our breath wondering what he was going to do but it was all for show just to let us know who was boss and he soon settled down again.
Soon our hour was up and we left the Gorillas to their daily lives and walked the short distance back to base camp with our photos and some great memories. Well worth it.
As we stopped in a clearing for a last minute briefing from our guides we could hear movement behind in the trees and sure enough when we turned round there was the baby of the family in the branches and some adults lounging in the grass eating breakfast. You are only allowed to spend exactly one hour with the gorillas and our hour started from then. As well as the baby we saw the rest of the group including a number of infants, black backs (younger males) and females. At first they played game by posing in the clearing for some photos before retiring to the undergrowth. We followed and there watching us all along was the Silverback, the head of the family. At over 400 pounds you can imagine we were hesitant in going too close but our guides made sure we got some good shots. Then something must have riled him and he rose to his feet for a bit of chest popping action. We all held our breath wondering what he was going to do but it was all for show just to let us know who was boss and he soon settled down again.
Soon our hour was up and we left the Gorillas to their daily lives and walked the short distance back to base camp with our photos and some great memories. Well worth it.
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