Today we spent trekking to the Gorillas. I am not sure words do it justice. No one could have prepared me for the hike to find them. And then no one can prepare you for the hour you get to spend with them. I had devoured every article I could find trying to prepare my packing list but it still didn't quite prepare me for what I would face. We spent the money to pull the permit for Rwanda. Rwanda is more expensive. The money is given back to the gorillas in many ways and I am sure I will miss some. Rwanda pays the trackers to be trackers rather than poachers so that they are able to expand the population of the mountain gorillas and continue Diane Fossey's work. Rwanda limits the permits and the number of tourists the gorillas are exposed to on a daily basis so that the gorillas have a break and do not have visits each day. They want to make sure the gorillas have times where they do not have visits. Rwanda rotates their guides and they have a team that contributes to the conservation effort. So it was a conscious decision on the part of the Rwandan government to raise the permit price to aid in the conservation effort of the Mountain Gorilla. It was amazing how many tourists stayed in Rwanda and then drove to Uganda to save money to trek or how many tour companies expected an extra kick back for "saving" them money by buying the permits in Uganda. I am learning so much as a travel agent on the ground in Rwanda right now. One of the most important things I am learning is how important it is to have a travel agent with true local contacts in Africa when planning your trip here. Budget is not always best when it comes to an African Adventure because you will get what you pay for and not the vacation you had imagined.
You show up with your 80 or so other eager trekkers waiting on word of where the gorillas are that day. Trackers have been on the mountain since early in the morning looking for your gorilla family, Your driver or whomever arranged your trek will go inside and wait to be handed out your gorilla family and then you are on your way. You will head to your trailhead. But before you go you need to use the water closet/bathroom because the next place you can use is the bush.
So begins your hike until you find your family. It is grueling. Some hikes are easier than others. We opted for a "medium" hike to find a family with a lone silverback. They moved right as we found them. Once we found them..... WOW. We got to spend an hour. I have included some photos.....
Happy New Year! I will see you in 2020
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