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A note for trekkers:
Please note that gorilla trekking is a strenuous activity and one should be
physically fit to enjoy this safari. Minimum trekking age is fifteen years.
Anyone with signs of communicable disease will not be allowed to trek. While
possession of a gorilla permit is a guarantee of trekking and sighting the
gorillas, the quality of the gorilla trekking can not be guaranteed. Maximum
time allowed with the gorillas will not exceed one hour.
For Gorilla Tracking, we strongly recommend
a rain poncho, knapsack, long-sleeved shirt and trousers, sturdy hiking
boots, leather gardening type gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent and any
necessary medications be brought with the clients from Kampala. Cameras and
video cameras are allowed, but bring film and batteries from Kampala.
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Uganda - the major country of
gorilla-tracking
 Uganda
is connected to an amount of prejudices. You can file most of it calmly.
Uganda has been a peaceful country for over 15 years and for the third time
in a row they have a democratically elected president. The economy blossoms,
foreigners and especially safari tourists are welcome, and the
infrastructure exists. You can feel safe in this country. Uganda is still a
confidential tip. This will certainly change soon because of the incredible
beauty and variety of the country. The crest animal of Uganda is the crown
crane.
Chimpanzees and gorillas
 In
order to observe chimpanzees Uganda is one of the first addresses. However,
these are barely to be found in the thick woods without leaders. So, a local
physical leader is available to you who knows their preferential feed places
and sleeping places. He is already able to make a distinction from a
distance in the noise whether chimpanzees, red tail-long-tailed monkeys,
stump monkeys or other primates are on the move. (Here on Ngamba Iceland).
The guides with their up to ten-year-old experience know many of about 800
shy chimpanzees so well that they have given them names. In the wood the
university of Oxford investigates the chimpanzee's sounds with microphones
to examine the language of our next relatives.
Observing mountain gorillas is absolutely the climax of every trip to
Uganda. However, as the trekking is also rather strenuous, we do not have it
firmly in the program. If you like to do it, you can make a reservation.
The few permits must be applied very early, because the gorilla's tours are
defeated by very sharp rules: Only 6 persons are admitted during the day to
a gorilla's family accustomed to human beings.
 To
protect the gorillas against towed illnesses, sick people (even if may have
you "only" one cold) and children less than 15 years do not take part. Two
areas stand for the choice: in the Mgahinga gorilla the national park in
which approx. 45 gorillas live and one single group was accustomed to the
safari tourists. Or in the Karisimbi area in neighbouring Rwanda where also
Diane Fossey carried out her famous field studies.
Nevertheless three groups were accustomed to human beings. The strenuous
foot march through thick brushwood is only suitable for healthy participants
with good condition. In the Mgahinga park the trekking lasts 0.5 to 4 hours
and is more strenuous than in Rwanda. In Rwanda, it lasts 0.5 - 6 hours. In
spite of highest probability, no guarantee can be given for a sighting,
there as the gorillas move in an area of 10 to 15 KM2. As there the guide
knows where they stayed at the day before, you will follow their fresh
traces.
However all customers of the Mgahinga Safari Lodge have seen the mountain
gorillas without exception, since existence of the Lodge, - and this for 7
years!
Gorilla Trekking
 Unfortunately
the number of the mountain gorillas reduced itself according to the latest
countings on solely 630 animals worldwide.
The experience to stand in front of some of the last mountain gorillas
cannot be described. The powerful gorillas grow up to two meters and live in
astonishingly peaceful family associations by 3-35 animals, which are led by
a "silver back" heavy gorilla (up to 170 kg). If you strictly follow the
directions of your guides, you can approach the gorilla groups very closely.
They behave far less aggressive than the chimpanzees and are almost silent.
Most time of the day they are eating or lazing about. They are by the way
pure vegetarians.
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