Rwanda gorilla trek difficulty?

Old Nov 8th, 2006, 01:06 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rwanda gorilla trek difficulty?

Hi everyone,

I'm headed to Rwanda in a couple of weeks and will be doing one of the gorilla treks. A couple of questions: For anyone who has done one of these, how difficult are the treks? I'm in running shape but have never hiked at high altitudes and am not sure what I should expect.

Second, has anybody stayed at the Gorilla's Nest? Decent experience?

Forgive my ignorance---this is a first-time trip to Rwanda!
Thanks in advance for any responses!
jml29 is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2006, 01:27 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
There is nothing to forgive and have a wonderful time.

Since Rwanda has several habituated groups, you can sometimes ask for a group at a level of difficulty you are comfortable with on the morning of the trek.

I did 3 gorilla and a golden monkey trek. One group was known to be easy and people with problems walking went to that group. We stopped every 10 minutes. That particular hike was very easy. The other ones were tough, but everyone made it, even a guy who was ill and thought he could not continue. I've been hikes with people in their 60s and 70s and they made it.

If you get a porter, which I recommend because it is easier if you are not carrying stuff and it employs more people, s/he will assist you a lot. I have seen a couple female porters and used one!

Some hints: Take a walking stick that will be offered. Carry your water on you so you can take a swig whenever you want. Your porter will carry your water and stop whenever you want, but I preferred to have it in a "holster" on my waste so I could drink very frequently.

The altitude was not a big factor for me
at age 44, when I went. I don't hike in high altitudes either. The rule on gorilla hikes is that the slowest person usually goes in front and sets the pace for the group.

Rwanda was a lot less humid and therefore less difficult than Uganda.

Gorilla's Nest was fine. A bit cold in July, but you can have a pot of burning coals (or something) brought into your room. Changing money was almost impossible for me at Gorilla's Nest. Food was good. There was a beautiful flock of crowned craned on the premises most of the time. I think it is ideal because it is so close to the ranger station--a 15 minute drive. There may be a more upscale place that is now closer than Gorilla's Nest.

If you do hiking or walking at home, you should be fine.
atravelynn is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2006, 01:40 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How thrilling to come to the board and see that someone else will be going to Rwanda to see the gorillas.

If you do a search on Rwanda or Gorillas you will find LOTS of info here.

But I will give you a quick capsule.

Treks can be from 20 minutes to several hours. The Amaharo and Sabinyo groups are typically close. The Susa group ias usually far. Get to the center early in the morning and try to request the group you are looking for.

You don't have to be in great shape, but it certainly helps not to be out of shape. Yes you will feel the altitude, but it isn't hiking Everest.

Gorilla's nest, nice & close to starting point. Food nothing to write home about. Grounds OK. Rooms ICEBOX

Go to my web site to see some pictures: http://tinyurl.com/ye2o52

Also read some of the great trip reports on this board.

Oh and watch Gorillas in the Mist again
waynehazle is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2006, 01:50 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
JML-
Lynn and Wayne sum it up pretty well on all accounts. I have been on treks with people in their 20's up to their 70's and I've not seen anyone not make it.

Understand that the guides are there to help you. The slowest person does set the pace.

You can also do as hard of a trek as you
want or as easy of a trek as you want.
I would start out doing an easier trek the first day and then play it according to how you feel.

There will also be a couple of military escorts from ORTPN which is the Rwanda Parks & Tourism office.

And porters are invaluable. For a mere $5, they will carry everything you want from a light backpack to a heavy backpack.

Last time I was there it was rainy season and I had to take my fleece, rain jacket and pants, gloves, camera gear, water, etc. and the porter carried my backpack like it only weighed 2 lbs.

The guides and trackers, who do this daily, run up and down the volcanoes like it's nothing while us tourists are huffing and puffing. It's quite funny.

If you're there for a few days, it'll definitely help get you in shape. I call it the "Rwandan Fitness Program".

The only con to the Gorilla's Nest is that they occasionally will not have hot water which is exactly what you want after a long day of trekking.
But then again, it is Africa so most people just deal with it.

Enjoy. Let us know how you do when you return!
divewop is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2006, 02:31 PM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you all for this helpful information! I'm excited to go as this will be a first-time for me and I'm grateful for all your great tips!!
jml29 is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2006, 03:23 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
by the way jml29, if you want to see some of my trip, I posted 3 quicktime files of my gorilla trekking at:

waynehazle DOT com/eastafrica/

Gorilla Trekking 1, 2 & 3
waynehazle is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2006, 03:25 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I found the gorilla trek quite hard because it was mainly up hill and i wasn't conditioned for it..but it was my first trek and didn't realise it was ok to ask to stop for a rest. Most people are quite greatful when someone asks for a rest as i soon found out. So if it's tough going, just rest often and you'll make it no worries.

I loved Gorillas Nest, the rooms were basic and quite cold but the atmosphere was very relaxed with a nice outdoor area to sit around and have a few drinks during the day. We were also lucky enough to have some traditional Rwandan dancers put on a show 2 nights, we went and sat on the chairs right in front of them and were invited to dance with them.....what a highlight (and a bit of a laugh)!!
judochop is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2006, 05:19 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
So is dancing with the traditional Rwandan dancers part of the "Rwandan Fitness Program?" How handy.

Glad you mentioned the water. My first night there were shrieking sounds coming from my shower about every 5 minutes. This started at about 11 pm (so I was not aware to complain about it shortly after arriving) and lasted until about 4 am. Something to do with water pressure that happens in some showers every night.

It was really loud and made sleeping tough. At first when I thought it was an animal outside I found the noise charming. When I realized it was not organic and it was in my bathroom, it lost all charm.

I got a new room for the next night and no problem. Just keep that in mind.
atravelynn is offline  
Old Nov 9th, 2006, 05:04 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Great tips!! Thanks very much! Shrieking showers, freezing rooms...all very useful to know. Many thanks to all of you!
jml29 is offline  
Old Nov 9th, 2006, 07:08 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just to add a few more tips...I saw the Hirwa Group (close) and the Susa group (far) in August. I found the trek to the Susa group difficult, mainly due to the altitude. If you haven't had time to acclimitize, I wouldn't recommend you attempt the Susa group. One thing that did help for me with the altitude was yucalyptus leaves, they grow everywhere while you trek and my guide pulled a bunch, mashed them up his hands and I just breathed it in. You should know though, that I have asthma, so I think it was harder for me---but it wasn't so hard that I needed to use my inhaler.

A couple of other VERY necessary tips. Bring gardening gloves, leather ones, that will keep your fingers and hands from being scratched up and stung by stinging nettles. Also, make sure you bring pants that resist stinging nettles. A good choice is your regular pants with waterproof pants over them. Being stung over and over is no fun and put a damper on my first trek. Also, it can be quite wet, so it's nice to have waterproof pants and a waterproof jacket.

Lastly, you will leave your bag with the porters when they spot the gorillas. All you can take with you are your cameras. So, if you are concerned about leaving your money/passport etc. than either leave your valuables behind or wear a money belt.

You're going to have a fabulous time. Rwanda is a stunning, wonderful country.
Lucia78 is offline  
Old Nov 9th, 2006, 09:16 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My wife and I saw the Susa group in July. I'm in good shape and had no problem, but my wife had a difficult time because of the altitude and her allergies. We lucked out that the trek was only 2 hours each way that day, but our guide Olivier says that sometimes it can be 5-6 hours each way depending on the location of the gorillas. He also said that sometimes a Susa group trekker will not make it all the way to see the gorillas. So if you have any doubts at all, it is probably a good idea to not request that group.
kumasawa is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
street_sadu
Africa & the Middle East
6
Aug 12th, 2013 04:26 AM
kak113
Africa & the Middle East
15
Jun 14th, 2009 03:48 PM
beachmama7
Africa & the Middle East
7
Oct 21st, 2008 05:08 PM
ndonna
Africa & the Middle East
25
Jun 16th, 2007 06:41 PM
Jane_N
Africa & the Middle East
24
Feb 28th, 2006 12:26 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -