Ted and Betsy Levin tried numerous times to make a trek with a guide to travel high into the Impenetrable Forest in southern Uganda to visit the mountain gorilla . Because of political wars and civil unrest, it was not possible to allow a group into the forest, Now titled Bwindi National Park. The best estimate of the the total mountain gorillas in Bwindi is approximately 300.

The small group making the trek with highly skilled trackers, enters the area of the mountain gorilla knowing this group they hope to see are "habituated," which means they are made comfortable in the presence of humans. Though, habituation is not complete because the gorillas, which accustomed to Africans, they are not yet comfortable with white people in small groups. This process first became successful in Rwanda in 1978.

A group of six visitors are allowed in the area for only one hour. It is strongly believed that ecotourism is the only way to save the gorillas. And these trips with skilled trackers and necessary for the ongoing survival of the mountain gorilla population.

This arduous journey is fraught with slipping down the jungle, drinking your water too early, leaving you with none the remaining trip, and the need for extreme stamina to climb throughout the jungle. It is easy to slip down the muddied and slimy steep areas.

Trackers lead the way and hack and slice the way up the slope. It is exceedingly hot ad humid. But, every person in the group states it is an incredible experience, and to have a mountain gorilla look you in the eyes is a spiritual experience. The trackers are very careful when near the gorillas and they make the same sound as the goriillas --"ahumn."

All participants note it is a living-changing experience, to come so very close to these huge animals. ( )

Depicting their trip to Uganda, Ted and Betsy Lewin describe and illustrate the events in a way that makes readers feel like they were actually on the trip with them. The amazingly detailed pictures makes it as if readers are actually experiencing seeing mountain gorillas too. ( )

I don’t know if I would necessarily use this book in my classroom, but it is a great example of telling about an event. Shows students different details to a story. Explains their time walking in a jungle and they find gorillas. Grades: 3-5 ( )

This is a good example of an informational book. It gives factual information about a Gorilla search in Uganda that the authors went on together. It tells a story but the emphasis is on the facts being presented to the reader. The information is up to date and accurate.

Level: Intermediate

A beautifully illustrated story written and illustrated by Betsy and Ted Lewin describing their journey to Uganda on their search for the mountain gorillas. A good non-fiction resource about travel and gorillas for intermediate and middle school students. ( )