MOUNTAIN GORILLA TREKKING
A silverback (mature male) weighs nearly three times
as much as the average man (up to 200kg). The
Mountain Gorilla is a distinct species from its cousin
the western lowland gorilla and was unknown to
western science until 1902.
Gorillas share 97% of their genes with mankind. They
are highly sociable, moving in troops of between 5 50 animals typically comprising a silverback, three or
four wives and several young.
combination of other primates such as Ruwenzori
colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys.
A variety of hiking and walking trails criss-cross
the Park leading to a canopy walk, primate tracking
adventures, the southernmost source of the Nile and
ecotourism attractions. The park includes a colorful
array of orchids, butterflies, moths and other insects.
The beauty cannot be fully expressed on paper; you
just have to plan a trip across the majestic hills of
southeast Rwanda.
VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
“In the heart of Central Africa, so high up that you
shiver more than you sweat,” wrote the eminent
primatologist Dian Fossey, “are great, old volcanoes
towering up almost 15,000 feet, and nearly covered
with rich, green rainforest - the Virungas”. Situated
in the far northwest of Rwanda, the Parc des Volcans
protects the steep slopes of this magnificent mountain
range - home of the rare mountain gorilla - and the
rich mosaic of montane ecosystems, which embrace
evergreen and bamboo forest, open grassland, swamp
and heath.
An exhilarating trek through the cultivated foothills
of the Virungas offers stirring views in all directions.
Then, abruptly, the trail enters the national park,
immersing trekkers in the mysterious intimacy of the
rainforest, alive with the calls of colourful birds and
chattering of the rare golden monkey, and littered
with fresh spoor of the mountains’ elusive populations
of buffalo and elephant. Through gaps in the forest
canopy, the magnificent peaks are glimpsed, easily
accessible and among the highest in Africa, beckoning
an ascent.
GOLDEN MONKEYS
In the Volcano National Park there are now fully
habituated Golden Monkeys and they are accessible
to tourists since June 2003
e of Tourism and National Parks: www.rwandatourism.com
Females reach sexual maturity in their eighth year,
males when they are around 13. Gorillas have few
natural enemies and can live for up to 50 years in the
wild. A female gorilla has a similar gestation period to
humans, and may raise up to six offspring if she lives
to old age. Gorillas spend most of their waking hours
on the ground, but sleep in trees, each building itself a
temporary nest.
GORILLA WATCHING
ETIQUETTE
Gorillas are very susceptible
to human illnesses, so always
wash your hands before you visit
them. If you feel unwell or carry a
contagious disease, stay behind.
• Turn your head away if you need
to sneeze; never spit in the forest.
• Stay in a tight group when near
the gorillas, speaking only in
whispers.
• Don’t eat or drink near them, nor
leave any rubbish.
• For your safety and their health
keep seven metres away from
the gorillas, but stay still if they
approach you. Never touch a
gorilla.
• Although non-aggressive,
they are wild animals and can
sometimes charge. If this happens,
crouch down, don’t look them in
the eye and wait for them to pass.
• Rash photography is forbidden.
Point-and-shoot cameras are
inadvisable as picture quality will
be poor in these conditions and
the flash can go off inadvertently.
My visit is unpredictable - be
prepared to be patient.