carolines

My husband and I will be at Sabyinyo late next month and have booked a gorilla trek for the second day after we arrive. The first day after our arrival we had kept open, to acclimatize and to do an easy trek to the golden monkeys (which we have not reserved yet.) We will be coming after a couple of weeks in Kenya so we will already have been at some altitude. However after reading everything we can find on the mountain gorillas including all the fabulous trip reports here, we are wondering if we are making a mistake? Should we try for a second gorilla trek instead of the monkeys (if permits are indeed still available for that date?) We are both in fairly good physical condition , but minor knee issues would restrict us to visiting only the nearest gorilla families. We would love to hear any advice you may have (though I think I know what everyone will say...) Thank-you!

Lillipets

I would do a second trek to the gorillas. If you see them once, you will want to see them again. I can pretty much guarantee that!
And there is always a chance ( though very slight) that you may not reach the group you are assigned to for some reason. So a second gorilla trek is good insurance.

atravelynn

If the budget allows, then go to the gorillas again. Even if it is the same gorilla family, it will not be the same two days in a row.

And what if the chance Lillipets mentions occurs?

Have a fantastic time!

carolines

Thanks Lillipets and atravelynn! Have sent in our request for a second trek! Our hopes aren't high though, it's pretty late in the day to ask but you never know. We watched "Gorillas in the Mist" last week and seeing those wonderful animals made the adventure seem so real, and that's when we had second thoughts. We can't wait! (we spent time with orangutans in Borneo a few years ago which was fabulous but I suspect the gorillas will top that experience.) By the way, I remember reading that someone on the forum actually purchased their gorilla walking stick and took it home, but don't remember who that was. We were wondering how they got it on the plane?
Is this something many people do? Would love to keep mine as a souvenir!

atravelynn

Especially if you asked in advance, I am sure one could be made available for your use and then purchase. I think I remember some being sold with other souvenirs at the end of the walk.

People buy big statues too and have them wrapped, so a stick would not be as tough. Bubble wrap at the airport and check it.

tinydancer

Definitely do two treks, but we heard the golden monkeys were very easy to get to and also great (we didn't do this).

atravelynn: do they even have bubble wrap in Rwanda? When we flew from Nairobi we had our bags wrapped in plastic in Nairobi because we were concerned about them sitting around the airport. When we arrived in Rwanda they told us plastic wasn't allowed in Rwanda (water bottles aside) and there was a very clever man hanging around the trash can with a knife who delicately removed ours for $1.00 ea for the two.

loru100

We just happened to see the golden monkeys on the way back from one of our gorilla treks. Most definitely do another trek...while the monkeys were interesting to see, it can't compare with the gorillas.

carolines

Yippee! Can't believe it! we managed to get permits for a second gorilla trek next month! I think even if we end up seeing the same family a second time it will be another fabulous experience. Will certainly make all the new gear worthwhile too. Thanks for the advice, we were on pins and needles the past couple of days waiting, relieved and so happy now. Will take along plenty of bubble wrap too...

atravelynn

The same family twice would be great because you can get to know the members better. Way to go!