Travel reviews by Ms J. from USA

This was a highlight for me and what a fantastic way to kick off the tour. The baby elephants are cared for with love and affection by wonderful people. We got to watch them take their feeding then were allowed to mingle with them. It was a moving experience and one I will never forget.

This trek was a perfect warmup to the gorilla treks as the hike was easy and these little darlings are so silent and active. We were taken into a bamboo grove where they jumped from tree to tree allowing us to peer into their world. Everyone loved them and all got great photos and videos. These are rare creatures living in a dedicated space in the world unique to their survival. When the trek was over and the group began to leave they all started following us as if to say “bye, thanks for coming, see you again.” Very sweet. I loved it.

I chose two gorilla treks and highly recommend it. The first one is so emotionally amazing you need to see it again. Our first trek was a good hour or so hiking thru dense brush and muddy slippery spots. When they say bring waterproof and comfortable (stress comfortable, not new) boots they are not kidding. The weather is generally mild with regular short bursts of rain so the trails are often muddy and slippery. The porters are a god send so welcome their help. You don’t realize it but you will tire quicker at 9,000 feet as you climb and they, and your provided walking stick, are essential. The guides consider everyone’s ability and they check in to ask how everyone is doing. The pace is steady but slow enough to navigate the terrain and not tire you out. But when you round a corner and see an eight gorilla family lounging in a meadow your heart will stop (metaphorically). The interactions are unique and some move away and some brazenly walk right in front of you. The rangers talk to them in low growls which signifies ‘welcome and no harm’.
I felt invasive of their privacy which flooded me with humbleness that these majestic creatures would allow me into their space. They are habituated to humans but not to human diseases. Respect what the rangers tell you and we all wore masks to prevent the spread of any contagions. They must be protected and remain free to live a life they deserve. I strongly recommend going to the Ellen DeGeneres campus before you go on a gorilla trek. It is an educational memorial to the work that Dian Fosse provided so we can today be visiting these beautiful beings. It is literally on the way to the gorilla staging area so please take advantage of this opportunity. You will have a better understanding of the families you visit.
https://gorillafund.org/ellencampus/

This was gorilla trek number two. And I am so glad I did this. The family we were visiting were moving fast away from another nearby family. The lead males protect the breeding of females to their specific family and are fiercely devoted to them. This meant a long uphill climb to find them. The trackers were well ahead chopping a pathway and this trek took over three hours. The family we were looking for kept moving away so we zig zagged to catch up with them. Now, let me be clear here….there is no guaranteed level of effort or sighting so keep in mind you may have an easy hike or a challenging hike. Remember, you are in their environment and they dictate the rules. If they are moving to safer ground then you will follow. The trackers are amazing at how they found this particular family nestled into thick brush. But there they were. Again, I stress comfortable waterproof shoes. Did I say comfortable? Yes, I thought so. The lodge provided us with waterproof jackets, cover pants and gloves. A welcome item whilst brushing thru stinging nettles. This isn’t a walk in the park here but the porters and guides make it worth it all and you will be smiling thru it all. The gorilla families are bonded to each other and show such care and love to each other. They said so much to me showing a connectedness to our environment and a respect for each other. What a living example of love and kindness. Suffice it to say I cried several times and still do after seeing so simplistic an existence among such powerful beings. This will change your life, hopefully.
A few things; the lodge will pack you water and food but be mindful of your porters as they may not have either so be kind and share. This is my opinion from the experience. My driver had extra bottles of water which I took with me to make sure my porter was ok too. He/she come from a humble place and may not have the means so be kind and share. Bring some sweet snack bars for the altitude. The ranger said it helps with the altitude challenges. Remember, these people are getting by on poverty wages and we show up with our North Face and REI gear so just share. They are a vital part of the experience and will help you see that. I have to say this was a lesson I benefited from in concert with being allowed into the gorillas’ space. Just appreciate all those who work tirelessly to give you a great experience. I think Rwanda is an amazing place.

This was an emotional event for me because I had a dear friend, Linda Testa, who I knew for over 40 years and we talked and shared much over the years. She passed in February last year but she knew I was planning this trip and said just go…it will change your life.

She went to Kenya twice and had sponsored/adopted an elephant orphan named Emily in 1995. I took those adoption documents with me as her brother sent them to me when she died. I gave them to the manager and he said he knew Emily and she is at least 50 now and she left and no one has seen her. But he felt certain she was alive.

When we got to mingle with the babies it was truly a moving experience. The caregivers are dedicated to their safety and emotional health after their being traumatized over the loss of their mothers.

It was a wonderful start to a wonderful journey.

This event just added to the excitement of being in Kenya.

These beautiful, svelte creatures were so curious and of course happy to take a few nuggets from my fingers. The center is well managed and guests are led to the walking bridge that overlooks the giraffe space. We were given a small coconut shell of nuggets to hand feed one at a time to the youngsters who stuck out their long gray tongues and tenderly took them into their mouth.

It was another slow introduction to the wildlife we were about to be surrounded by on our journey.

The center is beautiful and managed perfectly. This is a must see.

The two remaining Rhinos are at the Ol Pejeta conservancy and fiercely protected.

They are a must see to understand how special they are.

This experience was breathtaking.

We arrived at the take off site before sunrise. The balloons were inflated and we all got into the giant basket and lifted off silently like feathers in an updraft of air. We soared over landscape and villages watching happy children waving and saying hello from far below.

The sun came up and spread a golden glow over the land as we floated through the air. It was magical and when we landed we were served breakfast on a long white clothed table with a hot buffet and a surprise option to purchase our balloon ride as seen from cameras that were set up on the balloon.

I can watch that video over and over again and still sense the feeling.

A must do.