| Mountain Gorilla trekking is becoming increasingly | | | | Mountain Gorillas. It is located in the Rukiga |
| popular as a tourist activity. Global soft adventure | | | | Highlands, near the Western Rift Valley and is a |
| travelers are beginning to add gorilla safaris to | | | | very popular destination for gorilla trekking. |
| their "Bucket List" or "Before I Die" lists as a | | | | Created in 1991 Bwindi's Impenetrable Forest is |
| must do. With only fewer than 700 mountain | | | | the home to close to half of the world's remaining |
| gorillas remain in existence, you don't want to wait | | | | 600 Mountain Gorillas. The name "Impenetrable" |
| too long. | | | | definitely applies here, with dense vegetation and |
| The gorilla is the largest primate, weighing as | | | | vines in a lush rain forest. In The Congo (DRC), |
| much as 600 lbs or 275 kg. An attractive feature | | | | there are some mountain gorillas in Djomba and |
| of the mountain gorilla safari is the limited group | | | | Bukima. However, at this time extreme caution is |
| size usually not more than 8 travelers to a group. | | | | needed when travelling to the Congo as its history |
| A one day gorilla trek can take anywhere from | | | | of instability and violence has reduced the tourist |
| one to seven hours, and are led by experienced | | | | industry and visitors to a crawl. Who typically |
| and knowledgeable guides and security guards. It | | | | goes on a Mountain Gorilla Trek? |
| is advised that you book with a reputable tour | | | | Mountain gorilla trekkers range from 15 (minimum |
| operator out of Rwanda or Uganda. The range of | | | | age) to 80 years old who are in good physical |
| accommodations can run from budget to luxury | | | | condition, and are generally people with an interest |
| tent camping with in-tent bathrooms and hot | | | | in having a unique experience unlike any other. |
| water, and fine dining. | | | | They can be simply vacation travelers, |
| Where Are the Mountain Gorillas located? | | | | photographers, students, and culturalists. |
| The mountain gorillas are located in Africa along | | | | How strenuous is it? |
| the bordering countries of Rwanda, Uganda and | | | | The group, usually no more than eight, moves at |
| The Congo (DRC). | | | | a pace geared to the level of all the hikers in the |
| In Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park (Parc | | | | group. The make-up of groups is generally done |
| National des Volcans) is estimated to be the home | | | | with consideration given to physical ability. When |
| of approximately 350 of the 700 endangered | | | | to Go? |
| mountain gorillas. The recent war, poaching and | | | | The rainy season is from March to April and from |
| landmines have further endangered the survival of | | | | October to November, but the gorilla's habitat is in |
| the mountain gorilla but the good news is that | | | | the rain forests and it can often rain at any time |
| with Rwanda's return to stability, the fate of the | | | | of year. |
| gorillas has improved and gorilla trekking is | | | | Travel can be slower in the rainy season but the |
| prospering. Access to (Parc National des Volcans) | | | | views are often better. Gorilla tracking can be |
| is from the Ruhengeri with stunning views of | | | | muddier, but not impassable. In the mountainous |
| Gahinga, Muhabura, Karisimbi, Mikeno, Sabyinyo, | | | | areas it is much colder than on the plains and the |
| and Visoke volcanoes. | | | | rainfall is greater. Just don't be too rigid on this |
| Ruhengeri is a 90-minute drive from Kanombe | | | | and you should go when it is most convenient, as |
| International Airport in Kigali. In Uganda, the Bwindi | | | | the rain which is often for short periods, is part of |
| National Park, famous for its population of | | | | the great experience. |