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Amazing gorilla clip

British

If you have been on a Gorilla trekking trip or are considering going on one, this brings back memories of our experience which is gosh, now five years ago. You can see the ‘jungle’ or more accurately the Forest conditions you will encounter and how fast the gorillas move which is quite unnerving. I do hope I can find this new documentary online soon which is called Silverback, about how gorillas have to be habituated to humans. There is a further clip you can access at the end of the piece.
Earning the trust of a 40-stone silverback gorilla https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67863620

Comments

JoWeber

How far did u have to walk into your hike till u saw silverbacks at gorillas nest Rwanda?

British

Gorillas Nest is the name of the hotel.
You are taken to the sort of ‘base camp’ where everyone is divided up into groups, you meet your trackers/guide and they tell you about the group of gorillas you will go to find and the name of the group and a bit about their history. So there is a bit of waiting around for a while. Then you meet your driver and they take you to the start point of your trek. There, you meet your personal porter and you start the trek. Our trek started over open fields and of course you are heading up towards the forest. It was a narrow track and a bit muddy and you had to watch your step.It was humid. Then you get to the forest with very dense foliage, including huge stinging nettles. The trackers and porters cut back the foliage with machetes and you follow closely remaining quiet. Once the gorillas are located, the porters stay behind and the group goes with the guide. Our group trekked for about an hour, it was hard work because of the elevation and humidity. Some groups have to trek for hours to find their gorillas.
I’m a little confused about your term, silverbacks. There is usually just one silverback, although our group had two, one of course was the dominant male. Our group of gorillas was supposed to be a family of 24 but we just saw about 17 of them. A truly wonderful experience. I suggest you read up about gorillas and their behaviors or watch some documentaries about them before you go.

JoWeber

I am planning on it. I just meant “ silverbacks” referring to the family of gorillas. I am you tubing and google great info for the next few months. Thks for ur input;)

JoWeber

Reading up on as well as silverbacks in volcano national park:)

British

The silverback is not the family. The silverback is the large dominant male who has a silver back. He is much larger than the other gorillas and I think very handsome

British

JoWeber

Now that’s a alpha male:)

British

This talks about an important part of Rwanda’s story. The tour includes a visit to the Genocide museum which despite what it is all about should not be missed
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68734161

By the way, the countryside you drive through to get to Volcanoes Nat. park is gorgeous and the people so colorful.

SandyFeet

British, my last TD recommended this trip for me. He said he thought the tour included a visit/stay to the home of my college friends, Susie and “Jungle Jack” Hanna. Jack has advanced dementia now, but he and Susie have done so much to preserve the gorilla population of Rwanda.

British

Sandy. You can see their home in the grounds of the hotel. You might se the research center sponsored by Ellen de Genereux. The foundation was all that was there when we went.

jonmacks

My wife and I are on the Gorilla Safari that begins on July 9. I will turn 80 during our safari and my wife is 77. We are both in good physical health for our age. I can handle walking a couple of miles one way, but the info said it could require a walk of up to 5 miles. In dividing participants into groups, is any effort made to establish the groups by their physical abilities? Do they know in advance which groups may have to walk the furthest?

British

No, you do not know in advance which group you will be in until the day of your trek. When you get to the assembly point the people are split into groups of eight, though you will be with all Tauck people. Tauck does not have complete control because there are many people waiting, it is very strictly controlled and the organizers have complete control of who treks where and it depends on the people who are there that day. There are gorilla ‘trekkers’ there that go up into the forest each day to find where the habituated groups are. Some may be an hour away, some may be hours away. Take into consideration that you will be at 8000 plus feet , it will be humid, sometimes raining, a very narrow trail which can be muddy. You start going upwards through fields at first, then you enter the forest where the porters will hack down the vegetation with machetes, including huge stinging nettles. I think this is the only Tauck tour that is a level 4. I was 66 when I went. I’m very active, I walk four or five miles every day snd swim each day during the summer etc. I still found it tough because of the elevation and humidity. The trek was fast paced. We were lucky, we reached our gorilla group in about an hour. The other Tauck group trekked longer and then when they reached their group, the gorillas were on the move so they had to keep moving to remain with them. You get just one hour with your gorillas and then you head back down the mountain. We loved every minute.

John, I just realized you are the gentlemen who told us about your ‘came’ story. Are you sure you are fit enough for this tour. The group can’t wait for you if you are slow.

jonmacks

Glad you enjoyed my "cane" story. I don't normally use a cane, but I often take my Ta Da Cane with me when we travel because it helps me traverse uneven ground and I don't like to stand for long periods of time, so I like to use the fold out chair feature. I have been exercising more regularly (6 days a week at the fitness center) and have lost about 30 pounds, so my physical condition has improved considerably. Doctor now says I am in great shape for my age. I have been walking several miles or more daily to ramp up for this trip. I was only planning on bringing a collapsible trekking pole this time. I turn 80 years old during this trip.

kfnknfzk

jonmacks - Good for you! My husband traveled abroad at 99 years of age.

Have a great trip.

OurTravels34

All of you are incredible and such an inspiration. I sincerely mean that. Life is too short and I admire how all of you have the zest to travel. I am traveling with my husband for the entire month of May - 2 weeks on our own and two weeks with Tauck, of course.