Photos: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi National Park, Uganda

Trekking to see gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is high on the wish list of many people. This is a photo story of one such trek, to observe the Mucunguzi group. Located in the Rushaga region to the south of the Park, the dense undergrowth of the virgin forest is a spectacular backdrop to the trek. The group consists of 10 individuals and is named after its Silverback – Mucunguzi, meaning “Savior” – who left the Bweza group after a fight with its dominant male and subsequently took some females away from a neighbouring group. The story starts with a briefing at Park HQ by the Head Ranger Patrick Mugenyi.

1 - Real Africa — Briefing at Park HQ, Rushaga, with Head Ranger Patrick Mugenyi.

2 - Real Africa — Initial trek into Southern Bwindi National Park through adjoining farmeland.

3 - Real Africa — Entering the forests of the National Park

4 - Real Africa — Trekking with local porters on rough trails

5 - Real Africa — Leaving the trails to head to the location of the gorillas, as reported by a spotter.

6 - Real Africa — The guides working out the best route to approach the gorillas.

7 - Real Africa — Looking for the locations of the various family members.

8 - Real Africa — First sight of the Silverback Mucunguzi.

9 - Real Africa — Mucunguzi having a rest.

10 - Real Africa — The Mucunguzi Gorilla family group comprises of 10 individuals

11 - Real Africa — Female gorilla resting with her baby.

13 - Real Africa — Watching us watching her.

14 - Real Africa — Different terrains. Some areas at the bottom of the steep sided mountains were boggy.

15 - Real Africa — Footprints from Forest elephants left in the soft ground.

16 - Real Africa — When it rains, it rains. Path becoming a stream.

17 - Real Africa — The canope of th Bwindi Inpenetrable Forest.

18 - Real Africa — View of the National Park as we leave it.

Robert

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Robert

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