The Stinging Nettle

Our Gorilla Group
We departed for Gorilla Headquarters @ 6:30 am after having a hearty breakfast. En-route the "roads" proved too much for our land cruiser and we broke a suspension spring. Nonetheless, we arrived with plenty of time - albeit a bit late, meaning our choices of hikes were limited. Magnifique tried his best and we were awarded a "moderate" hike to the Ntambara Group. The group is composed of 15 members including 2 silver backs, and the youngest Gorilla in the park at 4 days old. The Group name means ‘Warriors’.

Bisoke Trail....
4.3 Miles - 1,224 Elevation Gain
After departing from Headquarters we set out on a bone-jarring 40 minute drive to the base of the Volcano where the Ntambara Group lives. We hired a porter to help assist with our bags and the assent (turns out this was a REALLY good move). We began our trek from a local farming village and continued uphill for about an hour through terraced farm country before hitting the Bisoke Trail. The Bisoke Trail is the oldest trail in the park and was built by Dian Fossey. We continued to climb through a pleasant high altitude forest and after about 30 minutes were stopped and told to put on our gloves and protective gear. The Gorilla's had moved up the mountain into a thicket of Stinging Nettles - for 30 minutes we climbed up a steep slope getting stung through our clothing to find the Group. Once there it was very intimate and special. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

The Aftermath
Was it worth it? Absolutely YES...but this was not an easy Hike and was made that much harder by the stinging nettles. We made it back to the lodge and ate a much deserved lunch and crashed out for the rest of the day!