Gorilla Safari Uganda, Rwanda, Congo Africa: Mountain Gorilla Safaris And Tours

The mountain gorilla’s habitat is also under threat of destruction because of competition for natural resources and the need for more land to be used for agricultural purposes.

At the beginning of our trek I had learned that another reason for their decline is that they are very susceptible to human diseases, for which they have no immunities. “A common human illness like a cold can wipe out a whole band of mountain gorillas” said Louis. For this reason, no one with a contagious illness or any child under the age of 15 is allowed to visit the gorillas.

First SightingAfter a quarter of an hour following our new path our guides stopped again just as suddenly as they had before, and again I noticed nothing, I looked around, but all I saw were the leafy shadows beyond. “Down there” whispered Louis, pointing to one side.

I stared down into a  sun dappled dell below us, and saw about 15 mountain gorillas perfectly blended against the shadows of the trees. They didn’t even seem to notice that we’d arrived and carried on with an undiscerning manner, stuffing banana leaves through their plump, rubbery lips and picking out the fleas from in between long silky fur.