Gorilla Tracking Day 2: Amahoro Group

Trip Start Feb 06, 2008
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Trip End Mar 03, 2008


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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Getting to Susa exhausted us.  We gratefully took a bush shower, ate dinner and collapsed into bed.  We were not looking forward to another round of fighting the dense stinging bush.  However, the thought of seeing more gorillas kept us focused.  We awoke early again and made our way down to the Park.  This time we made it clear to Paul our guide that we wanted the closest group possible.  If they could arrange for the gorillas to come to us that would be even better--we would spring for breakfast for all.  Paul told us he would do his best.
 
The pattern that we noticed with the groups is that the more fit looking wazungos got placed into the groups tracking the harder to find families; while the older wazungos, wearing their fancy white tennis shoes, got placed into the groups in search of the families who hung around close to the bottom of the volcanoes.  We were very discouraged when we were joined by six strapping Icelanders who looked like they could climb to the top of the volcanoes and wrestle the silverbacks.
 
We made another bumpy ride out to the edge of the park.  We unloaded our gear and gratefully hired two porters to carry our packs.  The Icelanders laughed at the idea of porters and merrily headed off with their copious amounts of camera and hiking gear strapped to their strapping backs.  With our heads down we fell in behind--ready for another marathon trek.  The farmland surrounding the park is beautiful.  We admired our surroundings as we approached the imposing bush that marked the boundaries of the park.  We should have trusted Paul.
 
Before we entered the park our guide told us to leave our packs and to bring our cameras only.  The gorilla family had been so co-operative that they had come down to the very edge of the park to feed.  We saw our first glimpse of our vegetarian friends from outside the park walls.  With glad hearts we plunged on in.
 
This time it was the Amahoro Group (meaning peace) with 17 members and 2 silverbacks.  We spent a happy hour snapping pics and hanging out.  Since this was our second time with the gorillas we were able to take less pictures and just enjoy their company.  Playful kids swung from trees.  Watchful mothers kept tabs on their brood.  The regal silverback lounged in the middle of his kingdom.  The hour passed quickly.  We walked lightly back to the waiting jeeps and thanked Paul profusely for his wise choice of groups.  This time we made it back to the lodge in time for a hot lunch and a relaxing afternoon enjoying the atmospheric surroundings of the lodge.
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