Chigo Tours

Educational, Memorable and Fun

Memorable Hour with Gorillas

A friend and I went to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in May 2016 to see the Mountain Gorillas via Kampala where we work. Our trip was planned with great detail and our local guide Martin Ngabirano met with us a few days before our trip to see if we had any additional questions about the trekking. Martin, is very personable, extremely knowledgable about the culture, environment and an excellent birder. Our three day trip started early in the morning from Kampala with a mid day stop at the Equator for a bite to eat and a few pictures. The drive is approximately 10 hours through hilly and mountainous geographical areas of Western Uganda. That evening we stayed at the Rushaga Gorilla Camp which I would highly recommend for trekkers. The staff was helpful and the scenery from the lodge is beautiful.

On the second morning we left for the Rushaga Gate for gorilla orientation and to meet the ranger, trekkers, guide and porters. Do hire a porter to carry your backpack, camera bag, and help you through some physically demanding areas and you are helping the local people. The time it takes to trek the gorillas can vary from a half an hour to 6+ hours. Our guide told us that we would be following the Bweza Gorilla Group. We hiked for approximately an hour and a half before we saw our first subadult. We were instructed to keep our distance to 7 meters but on occasions it can be closer due to the where the animals are feeding next to the trail. Visitors to the forest are allowed 1 hour to observe the gorillas and may take photos, and videos at this time. No flash is allowed. We saw 8 of the family members, feeding, and climbing trees. To spend this hour with these astonishing beautiful animals and the very skilled rangers, and guides was a life time experience. After the gorilla trekking we left the Rushaga gate and drove two hours to visit the Ruhija community Orphanage just outside the Ruhija gate in Bwindi. This orphanage is run by remarkable lady, Happy and the children are taught by a dedicated staff. Ruhija Little Angels Orphanage and Primary School is found on Facebook. We spent the night in the Ruhija community at the Trekkers Tervan which is comfortable.

The third morning after breakfast we headed back to Kampala and and on our way we saw Blue Monkeys, numerous birds and gorgeous scenery.

The gorilla permit is now $600 except during the rainy season months which are April, May and November when the permit is $450.00 When you go gorilla tracking, you are not just supporting the protection of the gorillas as well as the surrounding communities, but also helping to preserve the entire Uganda National Park System.