Saturday morning we headed to Bwindi Impertrable Forest.
Half an hour in, our driver Solomon asked if we had our passports and guess what I didn't! He took us back to Bulenga were I ran to house and picked up some socks too, that I'd forgotten :) We were very lucky we hadn't travelled too far!
It took 11 hours to get there, stopping at the Equator Line on the way.

8am Sunday we were on our way to find some gorillas. We were in group of 8 and were told that if anyone is seen to be ill on the treck then they'll be taken back to base and given a 50% refund and the same if we didn't see any. Lucky for us that wasn't the case ;)
The treck in itself was fantastic. Extremly hard work, it wasn't follow the path and come across some Gorillas, oh no we too walked through the forest like Gorillas. At one point the guide called out and we all heard a Gorilla call back from the middle of the forest next thing, we were slidding down this vertical slope. My feet have never been in so many angles before, I'm so suprised I didn't hurt myself!
You could have porters for the treck, who will carry your bag and push/pull you along the way. Vic had Jonathon and he was was really lovely, helped Vic out loads! Bless her she fell over many a time, but got up and kept going. I was very proud of her and she was extremly proud of herself! :)

3 and 1/2 hours in we spotted our first Gorilla. We began following him down, deeper into the forest until we came across the rest of the family. At the this point though my mind was else where... I had this wasp buzzing around my ears and around my collar, next thing it's down my top and then I'm topless infront of gorillas, my group and the guides! Luckily I had a nice bra on ;) It stung me twice on the back and again on my neck where it left its tail.
The guides did a good job of cutting down branches, fern etc so we couldn't get a better glimpse at the family of 7 but still nature got in the way. I had all these expectations of getting perfect close up shots and well I dont know what I expected, think I forgot we were going to see wild Mountain Gorillas!
I took as many good, clear photos as I could. When we first saw them I was shaking and all the shots blurred and with the clearing not being too good it was hard to observe them. I didnt want to spend the whole time behind my camera, so I sat in between some trees and just watched the babies climbing all over the mother and the huge Silver Back just chilling, watching the family and also keeping a close eye on us :) At one stage a little Gorilla suddenly came out from under the fern literally right up to my feet and then it ran back! :)
It was brilliant, from the trekking to seeing the beautiful animals, what an experience!

Uganda is home to over 1/2 of the worlds Gorillas. 370 of them are in Bwindi and I think it's incredible that we saw just 7. We were probably being watched by them the whole time during the treck :)

Next year permits are doubling in price as the wildlife authority are saying the Gorillas are becoming too friendly so by increasing the price, so hopefully less people will go.
We were very lucky getting them cheaper this year thats for sure :)

Off to Lake Bunyoni with the grounp tomorrow. It's going to be the best!
We're all getting canoes, going to the middle of the lake for sunrise and then opening our presents in the canoes :)

So that leaves me to say, I hope you all have a great Christmas!

Lots of Love from Uganda, Emma x x x