October 2013 – Gorilla Tracking Guide

Trekkers Excited By The Gorilla Family With New Infants

Gorilla trekking is one of the activities done in Volcanoes national park-Rwanda with over 10 gorilla groups which are open to tourists and 2 open to researchers. Apart from gorilla trekking, the park also offers other activities such as Golden monkey trekking, cultural walks, nature walks among others.

In Uganda, gorillas are found in Bwindi impenetrable forest with about 20 estimated gorilla groups/ families among which 10 are habituated and open to trekkers/ tourists but one reserved to researchers.

Oruzogo is one of the gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest open to tourists. The group has of recent received new additions and has now become one of the incredible families to visit in Bwindi impenetrable forest.

A tourist who was on a 7 days Uganda gorilla trekking safari and visited the Oruzogo gorilla family and gave a thrilling feedback that impressed many people to the extent of feeling like booking a gorilla safari to trek the same group in the following days.

Below is how the client narrated the gorilla trek

“Gorilla trekking is not just a mere trip or a visit but instead a safari to refresh you and also getting a memorable experience. L stood near the gentle giants, watched how the mothers where grooming the young ones, the mother protecting and providing safety to the infants, giving them a kind and affectionate touch beyond that of human beings offer to their babies. The other family members where quite and had nothing to worry about. Our guide was superb, giving detailed information about the life of gorillas and also answering all questions that where burning us. A dominant male who was referred to as the Silverback was huge and indeed respected by every member in the family”.

The guide explained that Birungi and Mutesi are the mothers of the babies. The other juveniles within the family were by the names of Kanywani and Buchura however the new born baby was not yet identified. Otaka, Kiromba, Kakobe, Buhura, Busungu and Nakiina among others are also part of the group/ family.

Oruzogo gorilla group is a gorilla family found in Ruhija- the northern part of Bwindi, it is a 2 hours drive to get to the starting point. It sounds as a long drive but worth it after visiting the gorillas. Be part of this incredible and memorable experience as you trek the most adventurous primate species in the world.

Is Rwanda Safe for Gorilla Tracking?

Most travelers to Africa normally ask this question; Is Rwanda safe for gorilla tracking? The truth is Rwanda is very safe for gorilla tracking as well as other travel related businesses. The Congo War has no effect on Country’s Tourism Industry and travelers can take their safaris in Rwanda as ever before!

Even from this week press release, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has come up to comfort all tourists that have already planned their tours and those promising to arrange their holidays to Rwanda plus those carrying out different business enterprises in the country that Rwanda is sure and safe to be visited in all its corners of the country and not affected by the conflicts and wars in Congo.

This happened after a few days when the FDLR militias in Congo staged two in the northern and western province of Rwanda, and one person died in the attack before returning back to the unsecure Democratic Republic of Congo.

The acting CEO, RDB-Clare Akamanzi said in her speech, “On behalf of the RDB, we would like to assure all our clients that this is business as they normally happen in different businesses. Visitors/ tourists who are travelling and those willing to visit Rwanda should go on with enjoying the incredible and scenic sceneries, favorable climate, unique cultures and the abundant wildlife in our national parks most especially the most yearned for the endangered mountain gorillas”

She added that the situation in the eastern side of the Democratic republic of Congo resulted into lonely battles on the Rwandan area which were immediately stopped and increased security at the boarder a way of avoiding occurrence of the event. Akamanzi went and said that the government of Rwanda ensures peace and tight security in all destinations within the country.

In her view, she said that the tourism sector has recorded fabulous development/ growth basing on the last years and sector continues to be the high income generating sector to the government.

“Though ecotourism is one of the leading attractions for tourists in Rwanda, we are tirelessly working to develop the sector and introduce conference and events tourism, an aim that will be provided by the newly constructed lodges and hotels such as Radisson Blu, Marriott among others” she said.

Of recent, the minister for defence-Jamea Kabarebe told the cabinet ministers that mandatory means have been have been put in place to avoid any other FDLR attack.
FDLR is an organization of blacklisted rebels made up of members who lead to the 1994 Genocide which was mainly against the Tutsi, which claimed the lives of over a million people.