Mountain Silverback Gorilla

[czwotzit]

Going through memory lane tonight of my last safari and trip to Rwanda I thought it would be good to post a few shots that mean a lot to myself and my wife.



If ever you have the opportunity to visit the mountain gorillas - do it - you will not be disappointed.

Just to show how close you get - this a shot of my wife just before the female gorilla brushed past her



Andre

[Cyberman]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Very nice, must have been some experience.

[czwotzit]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Andy

Before trekking up to the gorillas we felt nervous being so close to wild gorillas especially when you see them in zoos or wildlife parks doing their chest beating etc. But I've got to admit that all evaporated once we were up amongst the group. We didn't feel threatened at all.

[paulr5604]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

What an experience that must have been. I like the first photo too

[Bill53]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Very nice and how cute is that second image.

Bill.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Superb shots. I would very much like to visit Ruwanda and see these lovelies but it is my mobility that puts me off.

[tesarver]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Very nice image.

Tom

[antoeknee]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Looks a fantastic experience. Think its on my bucket list now.

[czwotzit]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Thanks everyone.

It really was worth the effort. When you are there at the start point they split people into small groups and depending on their physical state, age etc they then assign each group to one of three categories Hard, Medium or Easy. I'm 21 stone , unfit and have a wobbly artificial knee so I was assigned the Medium climb/walk !!. It wasn't too hard going and the guides/porters helped and even carried some people up the volcano. It was certainly worth all the effort. I would certainly go back again given the chance and a lottery win.

Andre

[Nathaniel]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Thanks everyone.

It really was worth the effort. When you are there at the start point they split people into small groups and depending on their physical state, age etc they then assign each group to one of three categories Hard, Medium or Easy. I'm 21 stone , unfit and have a wobbly artificial knee so I was assigned the Medium climb/walk !!. It wasn't too hard going and the guides/porters helped and even carried some people up the volcano. It was certainly worth all the effort. I would certainly go back again given the chance and a lottery win.

Andre

As a matter of interest, how is the "easy" category- any climbing or inclines to be negotiated?

[wayne2418]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Must have been marvellous to be so close to creatures, like that.

[Tigger]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

thats a wow something most will never have - very impressive both the achievement & the photos

[czwotzit]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Nathaniel

Every morning the rangers go out to find where each of the family groups are located. Some groups come really close to the park boundary and some to the relatively flat bamboo stands to feed on the shoots. So its difficult to say 'how' easy. What I can say is that short of being in a wheel chair the guides and rangers will do anything to get you to see the gorillas. The time we were there the 'easy' route had some 80 year olds on it - so the inclines couldn't have been that steep its just a matter of how long it takes to get to the gorilla group. If you are thinking of going I would do some investigation with the Gorilla park or some of the tour companies that primarily do gorilla treks.

Andre

[wayne2418]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

Sounds like its well do-able for you Nat, nothing ventured and all that.

[anderson.council]

Re: Mountain Silverback Gorilla

That looks like an amazing experience Andre. I should think that just being in that environment alone would be almost enough to make me forget about taking photos, so well done on capturing these.

Scott