4-Day Gorilla Trek Starts Tomorrow



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The biggest thing that happens on the Gorilla Highlands Trails every year are the East African Playgrounds groups. Over 150 English volunteers will trek from Lake Bunyonyi through Echuya Forest to the lakes of Kisoro and eventually to Rushaga (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park) where mountain gorillas are expecting them… They are divided in eight groups and the first one will embark on their journey tomorrow.

First 2016 East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek - 1

When you have 30 people around at a small place like Edirisa (the Gorilla Highlands team headquarters), it’s important to give them enough space. That’s why we made sure that the new tree-house was ready for action. There’s no fence or furniture yet but it can already provide a bunch of friends with a quiet moment above the lake.

First 2016 East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek - 2

This unusual camp setup is the answer to the size of the first group. If all tents were lined up, there would not be enough room for all.

First 2016 East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek - 3

To cross the swamp in the middle of Echuya Forest, one needs gumboots. The Summer 2016 fashion is a touch of something different, something wild! 😉

First 2016 East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek - 4

In the late afternoon the water for hot showers was turned on…

First 2016 East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek - 5

The last stretch of the road that climbs up to Bufuka Church of Uganda and then slopes down to Edirisa is often problematic. Our team made sure it was as good as manual tools could provide.

First 2016 East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek - 6

The kitchen was busy the whole day, working on an open-air mega-dinner.

First 2016 East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek - 7

John Kanusu, the Batwa “Pygmy” guide for Echuya Forest, helped with loads of water boxes brought from the nearby town of Kabale.

First 2016 East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek - 8

And at about 7pm they arrived, after a looooong ride from Entebbe! You will of course be able to follow their further adventures here – continue to the story of Day 1.

text: Miha Logar