Volcanoes National Park
This morning you will have an early wakeup call, and after breakfast at the lodge you will be transferred to the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters for your gorilla trek. Here you will meet your National Park guides and fellow trekkers before you are assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families and embark on your gorilla trek. Each habituated gorilla family is different, with varying numbers of adults, sub-adults and babies. You will be trekking with others in a group with a maximum size of eight people. The trek to find gorillas can be short or long, but on most days an hour or two of rough hiking each way is necessary. Each visit is by permit, and once you find the gorillas with a professional Gorilla guide and trackers, you are limited to one magical hour with the Gorillas. The climb begins through the lush terraced farmland of the lower volcanic slopes. As the slopes become steeper and rockier, the vegetation becomes thick and tangled; the guides must use their machetes to help clear a path. Huge trees, clinging vines and undergrowth add to the challenge. Usually at around 8,000 ft., signs of the huge animals become apparent. Damage to the bamboo trees is an obvious sign as the gorillas relish the young tender shoots and break older stems to suck the sap. The smell of gorilla may waft by in the stray breeze, and as you near you hear sounds, which can be loud crashes or dull reverberating thuds. After your trek, you will be transferred back to the lodge.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner