Phase 7 Gorillas

 

 

 

 

Time to trek with the gorillas! Not a great night sleep. That was more to do with the images from the Genocide Museum and a few buzzing mosquitoes than anything else . . . okay, maybe just a wee bit of gorilla excitement.
 
We spent last night at Muhabura Hotel. Dian Fossey used to stay there in Room 12 when she was in town. They have kept it untouched since her last visit.

Known affectionately as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda has a mountainous landscape that includes the volcanic Virunga range in the northwest, home to what is estimated to be a third of the world’s remaining 750 mountain gorillas. The most biologically diverse habitats lie within three protected areas: Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Nyungwe National Park. Soon we will head off for a quick breakfast and then our orientation before our trek in Volcanoes National Park. Our day starts with some local entertainment.

Sam is suggesting a moderate hike as the easy ones take very little time and the troops are smaller. He has some favourite gorilla troops in mind that he will try to get us.

Success!! We were assigned the Hirwa group which is one of the larger troops, complete with 2 year old twins. Hirwa came into the lime light on the 17th of June 2006 when trackers witnessed its formation. Two gorilla transfers from group 13 and Sabyinyo joined the then very small Hirwa group. As luck would have it, other gorillas joined them as well and created the group. Despite being the newest group on the block, Hirwa exhibits strength and holds its own amongst all the other established groups.

 

 
Hirwa means "lucky one" and contains some interesting characters. We'll continue to add names as we clarify our information. For now, here's who we know:

Silverback - Muninya
Adult females: Kabatwa (mother of the twins) Kirezi, Mararo,  Ntamuhezo, Sabana,
Babies - Agasaro, Uburanga,  

 

We were much closer than 7 meters. Often we were less than 1 meter away. The hike was about 2 hours, with the porters helping us each step of the way. They clear a path through the thick bamboo forest and our group of 8 hikers follow in single file. Our group was assigned two guides who share information on the troop, the climb and the do's and don'ts of gorilla interaction. The weather cooperated and we enjoyed a warm, sunny day which minimized the slippery, muddy conditions that can sometimes exist.

 

Many photos and videos were taken and then our brief hour came to an end. Best day ever!