After breakfast we embark on our gorilla treks. The length of the treks are dependent on the gorilla movements and therefore it is very difficult to estimate exactly how long we will be away from the lodge. A team of trackers will leave ahead of us to locate the group and then we can begin our walk in the right direction. Typically over the last few years, treks have been between 20minutes – 3hours but it is important to note that this is certainly no guarantee. Once we are with the group, settled and begin taking our photographs we will have exactly 1 hour. This is standard gorilla viewing procedure to minimise the impact on the gorillas and also to reduce the risk of transmitting any human viruses across to the animals. Once our 1 hour is finished we make our way slowly away from the group and back down the side of the mountain typically in time for a late lunch.
Depending on what time we finish each day, the afternoon is a chance to rest and review the images from the trek. Tom will be on hand throughout the afternoon to give processing sessions and 1-1 time critiquing your images. It is important to carefully review, taking note of which photographs are working well and the areas to improve on for the next trek. For those with a little energy left, there is the option for a scenic walk in other areas of the forest and also the chance to visit the local Batwa villages. We gather again in the evening for drinks around the campfire before a well earned dinner.