Taken in the Bwindi Impenetrable Park in Uganda
As far as I know, there are two places that you can view mountain gorillas, a national park in northern Rwanda and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwest Uganda. I made a mad, mad dash from the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro to go check these magnificent beasts out there, while on my round-the-world trip.
It is an expensive endeavor. When I did it, the permit fee was $500 U.S. A friend told me that it has gone up to $750 this year, but I can´t verify that. It is worth it.
One quick side note. One of my concerns, especially after seeing how things “work” in Africa was that the money would simply go to graft, but I was amazingly impressed and relieved at how professional this whole experience was. There are very limited permits sold per day (my mad dash was as a result of hearing that a couple permits might be open for one day). The time with the gorillas is limited. You go in with multiple park rangers — and they seemed very, very well trained and informed.
All in all, I couldn’t recommend a wildlife experience much higher than this one. When you see their eyes or their hands or their feet, you are so clearly looking at a close relative. It is eerie.
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8th line… should be (my MAD dash…)
xoxox
my edit savior!! Corrected. Thanks.
You rock!
Great capture!
More a catch and release than a capture. (Fishing humor — always a winner)
Wow, looks like an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Awesome photo. Never been too close to a gorilla, but have been with orangutans. It was in a safari park in Indonesia, and I was sitting with what looked like a family of orangutan, for a short photo session. They comfortably climbed around me, sat on my lap, held my hands and arms. It felt like family to me, heh
Wow. That sounds great. I’d be a little worried about getting them sick, if they touched me. That not a problem with them?
My awes and vows……………… I felt grandeur in viewing this gorilla photo very close. And I marvel of seeing them if in direct.. Aweeeee J Will plan for next vacation for sure here in AfricaJ
Permits in Uganda are actually currently on special for only $350/person/day through May 31, 2013. After that, they go back up to $500. Rwanda is indeed at $750/person/day. No doubt it is worth every penny – as you mention – it’s the wildlife experience of a lifetime!