At the end of the volunteer trip with Kids Play International, there is an option to do a trek into the mountains to see the silver back gorillas. I must tell you, I was not enthused. Tracy asked if my concern was the trekking or the gorillas. I quickly answered with "The Gorillas!!!" I love a good hike, but I grew up in Northern New Jersey and I likened the gorillas to bears. I am glad I decided to take her advice because this was an incredible experience.
The Silver Back Gorillas live in the mountains of Rwanda, Uganda and the Congo Republic. Gorilla treks are popular for travelers in the region. The work of Dian Fossey and the documentary film, Gorilla's in the Mist brought these amazing creatures into the forefront.
We stayed at a resort called Virunga Lodge in Volcanoes National Park. The backdrop was nothing less than breathtaking. The lodge consists of cottages set into the landscape with fireplaces and warm water bottles left in your bed to keep you warm through the night. The grounds, the food and the service at this resort are exquisite.
There are a number of families of Gorillas in the reserve. You can select which family to visit based on the difficulty on the trek to their habitat. We took a medium level hike into the forest. The hike itself was an experience as you pass through farms built into the mountainous region. As I passed the farms with their stone walls, it was reminiscent of Ireland and Scotland. Again, not the Africa I expected.
As for the experience with the Gorillas, it was worth the trek and overcoming my fears.
Each group is accompanied by a guide and there is an option to hire porters to assist. At first we laughed off the idea of hiring help, however a companion on our trip reminded us that these men were likely day laborers who relied on us for income. This perspective caused us all to engage assistance. They carried our bags, held our hands through the treacherous parts and made us feel comfortable and safe throughout the trek.
Our guide led us to the family of Gorillas. First, we encountered a female. Then, a young male. Eventually, we came to meet the Silver Back. I was astonished at how close we came. The guide taught us a few tricks, hummed in Gorilla speak and we were able to come within a few feet. These beautiful creatures are very docile, somewhat accustomed to human visitors and are vegetarians like me.
Our amazing experience was part of an effort to focus on eco-tourism, Rwanda has made efforts to use the attraction of the Gorillas to support the local economy.