Gorilla day!
6:30 headed off to central meeting point. There are 10 families of Gorillas and we are assigned to our family. (8 people in each group). Our family was the Agashu family, 23 Gorillas, one silverback. After hearing what it is all about into the 4WD's and onto the base of the volcano park. The locals great us.
A long trek upwards over farmland until we reach a large rock wall. The untouched jungle was on the other side. We are at a little over 7000 feet in Altitude and yep breathing a little heavy.
Climbed the wall and continued through the jungle. The art of trekking isn't that complicated, you follow the poo.
Then we found them, interestingly enough we also found another trekking group.
Two families had decided to meet. We were later told most of the trekkers had been doing this for 5 years only having two days a week off and had never seen two families meet, how good is this!
So the other family was the Sabyinyo Family which has 10 members, two smaller silverbacks. Although they did not fight the big boys did display there strength to each other, crashing down thick bamboo and a bit of chest beating. Lasted about 20 mins before they went their own ways. The whole atmosphere then changed with all becoming relaxed and our focus went to the babies playing while dad sat back, scratched his bits and chewed on bamboo. The hour past so quickly, not sure if it was the excitement or fact that trek home was downhill but we were back to the vehicles in no time.
Back to compound for a long hot shower and change out of very muddy clothes. Lunch then slow drive to Kigali for the night. Interesting seeing the little country villages and a rough idea how they live. 9:00 am pickup for airport tomorrow.
