Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Uganda And Rwanda

The "land of a thousand hills", Rwanda is a mountainous country with a moist

, temperate year-round climate, lush valleys, towering mountains and stunning scenery. Nowhere is this scenery more spectacular than the Parc National Des Volcans (Volcanoes National Park). Here, on the heavily jungled slopes of the Virunga volcanoes are some of the world's last remaining mountain gorillas. It is the opportunity to encounter these contemplative creatures, which were studied by the legendary Dian Fossey, that continues to draw visitors to Rwanda.

The Ugandans refer to their country as the "Pearl of Africa". Sandwiched between Kenya, Rwanda, Congo, Sudan and Tanzania, Uganda's parks and reserves are ideal retreats for the discerning eco-tourist, being untouched by mass tourism. As a result, safari experiences in this part of the world are vastly different to anywhere else in Africa - there are no tarmac roads in the parks and each foray into the wild depends on patience and the tracking skills of your guide. Which is as it should be, because Africa is truly wild at heart!

You will probably never be more humbled than you are in the presence of a mountain gorilla. So prepare for the ultimate in humility as you trek through dense forests in Uganda and Rwanda in search of these greatest of apes and the absolute privilege of a gorilla encounter.

Mountain gorillas are the largest of all primates and the rarest of the three subspecies of gorilla. The eastern and western lowland gorillas are both smaller in size and bigger in population than their mountain cousins. Adult silverback gorillas (the males have huge, broad backs covered in soft, silver hair) can weigh up to 250kg and are selected by the females for their size and dominance.

Mainly ground dwellers, the mountain gorilla prefers open canopy rainforest where there is light all the way to the forest floor and loves feeding in pockets of bamboo. Their intelligence is as legendary as their size and they have no fear of humans, which has sadly helped to hasten their demise.

Gorilla groups vary in size from a handful up to 20. Sadly, there has been massive strain on the remaining populations in recent years. Political strife, habitat loss and the bush meat trade have decimated the last remaining pockets of these magnificent creatures. Add to this the superstitious value of gorilla hands to local culture, and you have a species on the brink of extinction - there are fewer than 700 of these critically endangered primates alive in the wild today.

Tourism is the only real hope of saving this species. And empowering the people who are dedicating their lives to their protection. Both Rwanda and Uganda's tourism industries are growing thanks to the marvelous opportunity tourists have to spend time observing and marvelling at this most iconic of African mammals. And with tourism growth comes an increased chance of saving the gorilla - our most precious "cousin".

by: Marcus Brain

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