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Our Route through RWANDA. Covered approx. 400km on the motorcycles.
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Dec. 30, 2007. Our first view of the PARC NATIONAL DES VOLCANS. Cultivated terraces. |
Seven stunning volcanoes line the border between Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. |
It is possible to trek to the top of these volcanoes. |
These volcanoes are home to the rare mountain gorillas. |
Dec. 31, 2007. We show up at the Park headquarters, to see the MOUNTAIN GORILLAS without prebooking. |
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It is the busiest time of the year. And we are in luck as they open up a research gorilla group for a tourist visit. |
We start our trek at the base of Mt. Bisoke (3711m). |
Due to resent poaching activities, the military is present in full force and armer to protect the mountain gorillas. |
Geared up in our rain gear to protect from mostly pesty stings as we make our way through the jungle. |
After a couple of hours we encounter our first SILVERBACK MOUNTAIN GORILLA. |
This group is called the SHINDA GROUP. |
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Trekking gorillas is actually not that simple and encompasses a lot more. |
It all starts with the tracker. The tracker gets up at 5am every morning and makes its way into the forest to locate the target group of gorillas. |
As gorillas do not move during the night, the tracker follows the gorillas tracks through the forest until catching up with them. |
Then he radios in the gorillas location to the guide.
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That is were we come as tourists into place. |
The guide will lead us to the location. |
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There are also basic rules to follow, as these animals are protected. |
A distance of 7m from the gorillas has to be kept. |
This rule does not apply to the gorillas, ... |
... who can close the distance with you in a second (speaking from experience). |
Only (8) tourists are allowed to see one specific gorilla group a day.
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The time to be with the gorillas once spotted is limited to (1) hour.
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The cost for this one (1) hour is $500.00US/person. |
We arrive as the gorillas are feeding on the vegetations and then take a rest. |
Perfect time to observe them. |
It is facinating,... |
... as each facial expressions, even eye lashes, are similar to humans.
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The Shinda group consists of (7) Silverbacks and numberous females with their young. |
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It is amazing as we make our way through the jungle, there are eyes watching you constantly. |
They stare right at you while you stare back. |
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We were lucky to encounter (3) Silverbacks. |
The mountain gorillas were on the verge of being extinct.
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But growth is underway. In 2005, 30 babies were born, ...
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... in 2006, 13 babies and in 2007, 23 babies. |
120 gorillas are allocated for tourism, which means that tourists are guided every day to see them. |
101 gorillas are specific for research. |
An estimated 221 gorillas are on the Rwanda side. |
Ruby is within a couple of meters of a mountain gorilla. |
It is estimated that just under 800 mountain gorillas exist.
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The only place these animals can be found is in Rwanda, Uganda & Congo. |
Close up of the eye lashes. |
Close up of their hands. |
140,000 visitors from 89 countries have visited the gorillas in Rwanda since 1975. |
The time flies by. |
One of the baby gorillas plays in the trees. |
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He hangs on while mama gorilla is close by. |
There is actually a gorilla in the dense forest behind Mike.
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We come upon a female gorilla with her young. |
At all times she is aware of us. |
Close up of hands while removing food from the trees. |
A great picture of Mama gorilla with her baby. |
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Great facial expressions. |
The little guy hangs out in the lap of Mom. |
A view of the area we had just combed through while viewing the gorillas. |
In the last minutes of our (1) hour we see the Chief Silverback.
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Time is up and we have to leave. |
We trek back through the rain forest. |
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The Shinda group was located close to Dian Fossey's resting place.
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Happy New Year celebrated in our tent with a cup of Coca Cola.
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Jan. 01, 2008. At last minute we detour to Gisenyi ...
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... on the shores of LAKE KIVU. |
Jan. 02, 2008. The scenery from Ruhengeri to Kigali. |
We continue our way from Kigali (Captial of Rwanda) ...
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... over Kayonza to the Tanzanian Border. |
The rivers are chocolate colored. |
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The Rwandan Border Post is connected to the Tanzanian Border Post via a bridge... |
... which gives a great view of the RUSUMO WATERFALL. |
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