Oruzogo Gorilla Family of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
I slept great last night, in fact I can't remember sleeping so well. I got up this morning, had some breakfast, and meet Martin. Today I was heading to the far side of the forest, about an hours drive, so we started out early.
Yesterday was amazing and I was not sure what to expect today. Along the way Martin told me how he talks to the local villagers to get information on the gorillas location. He also told me that he grew up in one of these villages and that was how he knew everyone. We finally arrived and Martin worked his magic, getting me in the group that would go in search of the Oruzogo family. Because we were on the other side of the forest we were far from the Congo border and did not have a police escort this time. We did however still have two rangers to scare elephants, two machete path cutters, and a guide. We drove down the road a little before getting out to start our trek.
I again hired a porter knowing how helpful it was yesterday, as well as supporting the local community. However today it would turn out that I really didn’t need them in that we found the family in 15 minutes. Thanks Martin! Today we would not be able to get as close and many times would have to shoot through trees and branches, however we would see a three day old baby. So while we did not have the intimate experience like yesterday, with the short hike and baby it was just as good.
I was overcome with emotion on how lucky I was to see a three day old baby when I thought "Hey wait, I'm not hot, I'm not tired, I didn't really get much exercise today. But I'm still doubling up on my Nile Special consumption tonight."
There was also a young kid but he did not come up to us like yesterday, but he was very playful.
Even though we were about 10 feet away from them it still felt amazing to be here.
Again we saw the silverback, looking over his family, protecting them.
After our visit, just like the first day, they gave us our certificate as evidence of finding the family. But they in no way try to hide the certificates real purpose, telling us to get it framed and hang it on our wall. It’s free marketing.
We got back and I paid my porter, who did very well for himself today. They charge $20 USD, mostly so that all porters get the same amount no matter who the person is. Which again for you math savvy people was about a dollar a minute of hiking. U.S. dollars are pretty commonly accepted in Uganda if the note is 2006 or newer. If it is from earlier it is worthless and no one will take them.
Even though it was an hour drive there, and hour with the gorillas, and then an hour drive back, we got back to Mahogany Springs around 11am. The whole staff looked confused to see me, wondering if I was sick or something and did not want to endanger the gorillas. After I told them of my second amazing day, they said even by Martians standards that was incredibly quick and unheard of.
I had lunch and a beer, well, who am I kidding, I had a few beers. Then I headed out to walk down to the local village.
Everyone was very friendly as long as you were as well. Meaning you ask before taking a picture of them. Don’t just walk by, stop and say “Hi”.
Can you find the kid? The African version of where’s Waldo.
It’s beautiful here and if I had any kind of creative talent I’d try to capture this on canvas. It does however rain just about every afternoon.
It looked like the rain was not too far away so I headed back.
I got to Mahogany Springs just in time.
I had another beer, well, who am I kidding, I had a few beers before dinner and sat back thinking how thankful I was for this amazing experience, and then how sad it would be to leave tomorrow and say good bye to everyone. When I arrived I felt like an old friend, and now I actually was one. I had dinner, shared stories with the other guests and staff members, then headed to my room to go to bed, finding another hot water bottle warming up the correct bed.
VIDEO: Uganda - Day 3 - Oruzogo Gorilla Family