Gorilla Travel Journal Of A Visit To The Apes

Gorilla Travel Journal

Gorilla Travel Tour Company Featured: Volcanoes Safaris

Duration: 22 January 2004

Journal Author: Terry Shiels, USA

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Terry Shiels went on a gorilla travel safari to capture some footage for the weekly segment of the Zoo Files television programme and he couldn't get much sleep the night before the trip because of the anticipation.

Accommodation:

The Buhomma Village Community Rest Camp which has comfortable accommodations and at times a semi-warm shower, clean latrine, and good warm food.

Trip Highlights:

Found the nest of branches that the gorillas make to sleep in at night. The male silverback starts making a nest at around 7pm every night and the rest of the troop follows suit. He sleeps at the back of the group to protect them against any predators

Terry learnt how to communicate with the gorillas by using a throat clearing guttural sound which reassured them that the humans were friendly visitors and they answered back with the same sounds.

One of the females with a six month old baby charged the group in a warning display but stopped when nobody moved. She was just a little disconcerted but the guide made the voice signal and she calmed down realising the group meant no harm.

The 350 pound silverback male came close enough to touch and Terry managed to shoot some wonderful footage for the TV documentary. The mother also cradled the baby in her arms as she gently picked bugs out of the babies fur.

Gorilla Travel Tips & Recommendations:

There are some simple rules that apply when visiting these great apes: Don't go if you are sick, no flash photography, maintain a seven metre distance, don't eat or drink around them and you can't stay for longer than one hour.

A walking stick can be a great help for trekking through the forest. It isn't called the Bwindi Impenetrable forest for nothing and the going can get very tough, especially with the heat to contend with too.

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