Day 11 (Gorilla Trek #1)
7/11/22 - Day 1 of Gorilla trekking has begun. At breakfast, it feels like the beginning of the finale. We have 2 days of Gorilla trekking ahead. Here is what I've learned so far...
We've been talking to some people who already trekked. First, you have to go to the Volcano Park. Second, the Park Ranger gives out the Gorilla family assignments and the guide. This seems important. Where the families are located, will dictate driving and trekking distances. This seems really, really, important. We decided to do a pool for at what times we will see our 1st Gorilla.
Amy - 9:03
Lisa - 9:18
Josh 9:32
Brad - 9:38
Jeff - 9:45
Wendy - 10:28
Bethie 10:36
Rob - 10:43
After breakfast, we headed for the park, about 15 to 20 minutes late. I'm screwed already.
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| Real or fake? |
I think we might have been the last car in the park. There can only be 8 tourists per family, and once you first experience the family, you have an hour with them. Our guide is Patrick. He's funny. He's been doing this 11 years. He seems perfect.
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| The One and Only Patrick |
Brad and Rob seem excited to hear our family pick.
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| And the Gorilla Family is.... |
The Isimbi Family comprised of 16 individuals who include 1 Silverback, 4 Adult females, 7 Juveniles and 4 Infants. A Silverback is the oldest male (s) that grow silver on their back. Get it? Kind of like what I have on my head.
Patrick says it should be about an 1:40 minute drive and about a 30 minute hike. But no guarantees because the gorilla family moves. This really means 2 hours there and 90 minutes up. They hire trackers that follow each gorilla family and radio back to Patrick. Rob is going to win the bet for sure. We saw a lot of Rwanda life on the 2 hour drive.
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| Rwanda Family Time |
Not all the Rwanda roads are paved. So saying the drive was kinda bumpy is like saying the ocean is kinda wet. Emanuel, (whoops, not Manuel) our driver, stopped on the way for a bathroom break. Honestly, I still have the Indian food issue. I'm afraid to fart, and a 90 minute trekk ahead. I'm scared.
We were welcomed into a local home. The Mom told us she was blessed that we stopped (and I only had to pee). The people here are so nice, and so welcoming of tourists. They fully understand that the Gorillas help their economy, and tourists help the Gorillas.
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| Emanuel in the back. Amy talking to the daughter. Blessings... |
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| Smile. Let's start trekking. I LOVE these hats. |
We were all assigned Porters to help us trekk. Hiring locals help them and their families. Some of the Porters were prior poachers, who endangered the gorilla families. But today, they get hired as trackers, porters, or protectors. The protectors help scare off buffalos.
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| Our Protector. Suck this Buffalo. |
It's pretty cool that poachers are now gorilla advocates and make money helping tourists. Really smart. Converting crooks into country workers....Duh.
Patrick taught us that their President said, "In order to forgive, you must first lead with your heart." That was the post - genocide message. How cool is that. Seems to work. Come together...
Drum roll.... And here they are... 11:25 am. Rob wins.
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| Malkin/Rowan Family... Meet The Isimbis Family |
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| Baby |
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Momma Daddy Silverback  Hurry up. Take the fucking picture. We have sooo many gorilla pics, but I wanted to include some highlights. You can see that they make us where masks because of COVID. They are really doing everything to protect the gorillas. We all spent an hour with Family Isimbi. They were so nice and even made us lunch. |
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| Gorilla Goodies |
 What's PB@J? I'm coming...  We're running.... We spent an hour with the gorillas and Patrick and porters did an amazing job guiding us through a very safe and fun journey. After lunch we trekked back to the car where we were greeted by the local neighborhood. All the kids waive at you as you walk by. We covered about 5 miles up and back. But as they say, hard work pays off.
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We made it... Hi kids... Thanks Patrick.
Can't wait for the much anticipated 1:30 hour African Ass Whipping back to the hotel. I'm exhausted. I'm in awe. I'm grateful. I'm going to bed. I still can't safely fart. Good night. Great day. Tomorrow is #2 (solid I hope).
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