&Beyond: Karen's Travel Blog


Gorillas of Uganda – Pictures say a Thousand words

I kept thinking of all the superlatives I could use to describe finally making a dream come true.  Once in a lifetime, life changing, hardest climb of my life, heart wrenching, heart warming, outstanding, amazing, bloody marvellous – they are all true!
Having been on many safaris in my life, I have to say that my encounter with the gorillas of Nkuringo, the kind and gentle Silverback ‘Safari’ and his family, left me speechless and in awe.  So, I will just share some of my pictures with you and hopefully these say it all….

(Some photos have been clipped by the format on this blog – click to see full photo).




Comments

Janine says: (November 11th, 2010, 1:33 pm)

Wowee Karen! Super fantastic pictures. You are so lucky to have experienced the gorillas! I am sure you are the envy of many! Am dying to read more…

Sandra Broom says: (November 11th, 2010, 1:55 pm)

Karen
These were worth the wait. I am in awe and can’t wait for Marieta to get to work tomorrow to share your blog with her. You were so very fotunate to be so close to the gorillas and can only hope we are so fortunate. Are you gifted with a camera and a good lens or were you truly this close.
Thankyou Karen for sharing your photos, IO can understand how speechless you must be.

karen says: (November 11th, 2010, 3:33 pm)

We really were that close. I had my 100-400mm lens on for some of the shots and I had to set it to under 1.8m! You are not allowed to go up that close, but they in fact moved towards us so that is why it was OK.

Sandra Broom says: (November 11th, 2010, 11:04 pm)

Sounds like we have the same lens. Did you carry your cameras or did you get a porter to carry them for you. I think I can imagine how you must have felt when you first saw the gorillas. I felt the same way when I saw my first leopard………I cried.

karen says: (November 12th, 2010, 6:31 am)

Yes I used a porter. They cost $15 (I gave mine $25) and you provide a job for a community member that might otherwise be illegally cutting trees etc. This makes them view the gorillas as a source of income. Victor was so helpful getting up and down the slippery and very steep parts as the terrain at Nkuringo is straight up and straight down! One of our older members took two porters who literally got her back up that hill in the end. The only problem with the big lens is camera shake and I wished I had taken a mono pod, so you may want to do that. Also make sure you take waterproof bags for your cameras.

Good boots, good socks, lightweight waterproof jacket and a pair of gardening gloves. Also take a walking stick that they make for you. I bought one from friends of the gorillas but they also provide some.



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