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Dressed for the Occasion The trekking can be challenging, but
the gorilla encounter is mostly serene,
calm, and peaceful. The gorillas are ha‐
As advised, we wore light-colored
clothes, big hats, neck scar ves, and sur‐ bituated to human presence and tend to
gical masks to prevent spreading any‐ continue their normal activities when
thing to the gorillas. The tips sheet from the guides approach with the group. We
Wilderness also advised against wearing were told to speak in low voices, if at
perfume or cologne. all, and follow directions from our guide.
Cameras are allowed, but no flashes.
All treks start from the Volcanoes Na‐ Visitors spend one hour with the gorillas
tional Park headquarters in Kinigi. once found, regardless of trek difficulty.
Trekkers gather around 7:00 a.m. for
briefings, guidelines, and group assign‐ Trackers and guides are highly
ments. From the headquarters, groups skilled professionals with ex tensive
are driven to different trailheads, which training and experience. They know go‐
ser ve as starting points for the treks to rilla behavior, forest ecology, conser va‐
various gorilla families. Trackers go out tion, and individual gorillas by sight.
early each morning to locate the gorilla They can identify them by name and un‐
families before tourists arrive. They alert derstand gorilla vocalizations and body
the guides who lead each tourist group language. Some trackers have known
to speed up the discovery process. certain gorillas for years, watching them
154 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE WINTER 2025
