Rwanda gorilla safari Experience
Wow, face to face with the mountain gorillas in Volcanous National Park. What an experience! After some deliberation we decided that a gorilla safari is a must do. It may be extremely expensive, and you forget that the experience is unforgettable. We went first to the immigration service was for information on our visa, we wanted our single entry visa to a multiple entry visa. This proved to be something more complicated than expected. But we will probably still visit a neighbor. Then we took a bus to Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri). After we had bought bus tickets and sit in the bus we had to suddenly pay for the luggage, almost as much as that our own ticket cost ... This was not agreed so we went against it. The price went quickly from 1000 to 500 RWF. Still we were disagreed. Then the man disappeared with the money promising we shall leave either way.
We were up at half past five in the rest house and had breakfast at 6 am we were picked up. First to the headquarters where the groups were divided. We wanted to visit the Susa group, it is the farthest group but also the largest group in the African wild (41 gorillas). Eventually we were with his 4th, 'D' guide, Danielle (an American) and Fenna and me. Back in the car to the starting point of the hike to drive about an hour more we were there. We got a walking cane, which we then had our doubts about whether we would need. First we walked up a lot through the 'fields' and 'pasture'.
This was often very steep, slippery and literally breathtaking (Because of the altitude 2800m). The whole way we were in front and rear protected by 2 soldiers, in case we were to meet a buffalo or any other danger...Just before we were going into the woods we got the message that the density of vegetation was about to change. Walking through the forest was slightly less breathtaking (literally), but way more challenging in any than gorilla safaris in Uganda. We walked straight through, over and under all plants, trees, lianas. A path was not the case. After about half an hour (or something) we had to leave our bags with a man who works as a sort of protector to the gorillas. We were almost there! A few meters through all vegetation and then there was a gorilla! A little further there was a big silver back gorilla, the 2nd from the group. A little further chaired the "boss" of the group of all females and young. What an impressive beast, but so cute. Those little juvenile gorillas were so cute and huggable, It's really hard to describe ... We spent an hour with these gentle beasts, I think we all have seen about 20.
The youngest (4 days old) has unfortunately not seen. They came from everywhere, went quietly sit down.The Little ones play together, each flea bite, they are just like people. We were literally in the middle! Officially you need 7 meters from the gorillas stay away, but if they are on your side is not bad. The closest gorilla to us might have been about 2 meters ! Really Amazing. The way back was also a challenge, as it was a smooth hill which can be difficult to go down, but D was a big help and the cane was very nice to have! Although we all had atleast once slipped, but that came with the package. Back at the car we got a Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Certificate; for framing. We immediately exchanged photos with Danielle, with his 3s, we had over 500 pictures. Definitely an unforgettable experience! Tomorrow we go to Lake Kivu in the west.
