Gorilla tracking - the main activity here. It is expensive $500. Still, it is worth it. There are several different groups of gorilla's, with group H being the largest. Inform yourself which of the groups are normally quiet close to the camp and which more far away. For the groups close to the camp is it normally quiet easy to get permits, the further away ones are more popular due to the nice walk through the rain forest. Tracking can take from anywhere between 15 minutes to a full day, depending on where the gorillas are. They move often and far - one group of tourists can be back at the UWA camp within two hours on one day, while they next day, tracking the same group of gorillas can keep you walking until night falls. There is no way to say how easy or difficult it will be - elderly people should carefully consider how fit they are and how long they are willing to hike and climb: paths can be so steep you have to hold on to bushes and grass to prevent you from slipping, and climbing a hill can require hands and feet. There are no 'exits' while trekking, no shortcuts back home. Beware that refunds are only given in extraordinary circumstances no gorillas seen, which is unusual, and are only partial refunds.
Registration for tracking starts at 8.30AM, briefing is at 9. The trackers leave before that, and will communicate with your guides to let them know if and where they have found the gorillas. After getting there, you will have a maximum of 1 hour near the gorillas. You can get up to several meters of them, but you can be instructed to move further away should the gorillas get restless. Considering the terrain, it is not always possible to get this close, so bring a camera with a zoomlens, and remember the use of flash is not allowed. While in the rainforest, you are also asked to keep your voices down.
Should you be ill or have a cold, do remember that you may be refused participation. Since gorillas are genetically so close to humans, they are susceptible to many of the same diseases. As there are only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the world, their safety comes first.
Hiking in the area. Walk from Buhoma to Nkoringo 5 hours walk, through Bwindi forest, guide required, and permits. Walk from Nkoringo to Lake Mutanda 3 hours walkone lodge to stay on the lake dug out canoe with boatman needed to cross the lake, 3 hours, gorgeous scenery, check the weather isn't stormy to Kisoro one hour from lakeside. No guide required for the walk from Nkoringo to Kisoro, plenty of people around to ask the way, porters available in Nkoringo village. Note: sadly the local trekking company does seem to be running a scam of overcharging customers for services and accommodation, doubling prices observed November 2010, the guide is a superfluous 'middle man', whereas porter knows the way and offers a genuine service. From Kisoro you can take a transport to Mgahing National Park to climb any of the three volcanoes.
