Gorilla Safaris

Track Gorillas and Chimpanzees in the rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda

In contrast to the six billion human beings living on our crowded planet, there are only six hundred and fifty Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla berengei) left in the forgotten forests in the heart of Africa.

“Gorillas are our kin, mirrors of ourselves, closer to us than any other creature except the chimpanzee” George Schaller

Tracking the gorilla through the misty forests requires patience and stamina, often walking for hours in the mud and the wet. Finally meeting them in the undergrowth is an inspiring moment. Quietly chewing away at their vegetarian delicacies, they seem like a marooned human family. The tender grooming and firm disciplining of their offspring seems all too familiar. The family cast a wary glance at the sudden human intrusion into their private world but are comforted by the clucking made by the trackers. When provoked, the noisy, but harmless silverback grunts, screeches, bares his fangs and beats his chest, before slithering off with attendant females, offspring and other mature males.

“I shall never forget my first encounter with gorillas... sound preceded sight and odor preceded both in the form of an overwhelming, musky, barnyard yet humanlike stench” Dian Fossey

Click here for Uganda Gorilla Trekking Itinerary and Rates.

Safaris offered in conjunction with Volcano Safaris, Uganda. Images courtesy Volcano Safaris.