New Gorilla Questions

We would love to do a trip for about 10 days which should include at least 2 days to see the gorillas. I have the following questions:

1) Recently I haven´t done much excercise and I am not great at long walks uphill! I have heard that one should be fit and active to be able to get up to where the gorillas are. Can anyone tell me how uphill or how high does one have to walk up to reach the gorillas? Is it very very strenuous and hard excercise? What pace to they walk at...... very fast with little or no breaks?

2) Which is better for the gorillas: Uganda or Ruanda?

3) Do you always get to see them, and close up?

4) Is August a good month to go?

5) Any advice regarding hotels or accommodation in these places, anything special or really worthwhile or shouldn´t be missed?

6) How are the walks with the chimpanzees? Do you walk with them or can you touch them? Can you describe what this is.

7) If we prolong the trip for up to 10 days, what else could we do, or what is a great river trip for example where you could see many hippos etc, any other suggestions for things to do or not miss. We mainly love all animals.

Any help or suggestions will be of great help. Thanks

1) The hike is zero minutes to a few hours. If you are concerned about the hike and your fitness when you check in in the morning express this to those who assign groups so that you may go with a group who does not have to hike far (the gorillas are tracked in advance; there is typically a pretty good idea of how long a group will have to hike before the gorillas are spotted). Anecdotally it is my understanding that hikes are usually shorter in Rwanda. I have only seen gorillas in Rwanda, so I cannot compare experiences. I will tell you that in Rwanda all hiking is at altitude. Therefore, while you may hike for only half an hour it can still be ehausting.

2) Either

3) Well, I did

4)DK

5) PM me, and I'll give you details of my experience

6) Did the chimp walk in QE Park; sightings are not guaranteed (although I did see a troop). You really don't want to be having tactile interaction with chimps. They are strong, they can kill you, and you can spread diseases to them. It is defintely cool to see them in the wild even without touching.

7) There is plenty to do in both Rwanda and Uganda besides the gorillas. Murchison Falls, QE Park, the gorillas, and a day rafting the Nile could easily eat up 10 days and leave you wanting more.

I saw the gorillas this July in Uganda. It was a long day, 9 hours in total and quite tough terrain. I would definately recommend getting a porter and stick!