Deep down in the valley

Early in the morning the alarm clock woke us up again - today the 2nd gorilla trekking was imminent!

The journey to the starting point took only an hour this time. And we noticed as soon as we arrived that it was much steeper to the right and left of us than last time.

After a welcome and impressive, barefoot Ugandan dance art of a project whose aim is to educate the locals about the environment and to protect it, there was an obligatory briefing again. Shortly thereafter, we drove a short distance by car to our starting point today. From there we continued on foot - down the mountain, further and further and incredibly steep.

A short distance on the road, a path then led us straight down the slope, past several houses of the local people. Apparently nobody here has ever heard of serpentines!

At some point the environment changed, and the fields became a tea plantation. Our guide Chris told us that a kind of buffer zone to the national park for the gorillas was created here. A river flows in the valley, in front of it delicious eucalyptus was planted for the gorillas, so that they often stay here to eat. Next up was the tea. On the one hand, the tea plantations served as compensation for the people who had to give up their land. On the other hand, the tea represents a natural barrier for the gentle giants, because gorillas do not like tea and therefore do not go any further.

Directly behind the tea plantation we went into the somewhat more unspoilt nature - but by far not with such a dense undergrowth as 2 days ago. After a few minutes we reached the trackers and saw the first gorillas. There was a moment of shock for everyone when they watched the silverback with fascination. Suddenly the gorilla jumped up roaring and ran towards us, but luckily passed us. After the first shock, the ranger explained to us that it wasn't an aggressive gesture, he just showed that we were in the way. Our guide was visibly disappointed that nobody recorded this on video.

Before our time with the gorillas was over, we crossed a small river. What a shaky affair!

And then it was already on the way back. Which, as feared, was the same as added. So it was time to climb the 400 meters in altitude over 1 km! And that in blazing sunshine... But in the end we all made it up the ladder and could look forward to our next certificate. After that we went shopping for souvenirs and as soon as we arrived at the accommodation we went into the cool water.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing at the lake and slowly packing our things together, because tomorrow we are going to the last stage of our vacation...