Gorilla Trekking in Uganda/Rwanda. Tips?

I will be heading to Uganda and Rwanda for 2 weeks this summer. I have the XSI kit with the 18-55 lens and an EF 75-300 III zoom lens.

Will these two lens suffice in the jungle/overcast environment (I don't think flash photograph is an option with gorillas around)? Is there someone who has been on this location who can offer some advice?

Should I ask for a different lens for Christmas?

Sorry. I'm very new to this, and certainly new to gorilla trekking.

TIA!

What you really need is someone to carry your gear.

I'm available.

You should be ok, just try to minimize camera shake with the long lens.

I think you need a macro for a real close-up...ha.ha..make sure you take some bananas to lure them in for the shot.... Really though, I think your trip sounds fantastic and I look forward to seeing your shots. If you come back! Just kidding! I think the 100-400mm would be nice, and not to pricey. Gee, wish I could go too!

As Steve says the 100-400 would be nice.

Im looking at doing that as part of an Africa trip in 2010

Okavanga Delta -> Rwanda -> followed by a weeks beach (that bit the wife chooses)

I believe you have to trek for about 3 hrs to get to where they are so you need to be fit as well. Then once in you only get an hr or two to watch them.

Im sure I read a full grown silver back weighs 4x a full grown human and when angry they could rip a mans arm off

I look forward to seeing your pics...

Welcome to the forum firstly, and as for Gorilla Trekking...I went to Biwindi, Uganda just as the rainy season started at the end of September. You will have porters for the day trekking so don't worry about taking your gear with you...i highly recommend that you hire one as a 2kg pack at the start of the day feel like 20kg after 2hrs walking through steep jungle paths.

I took a 100-400 IS and it was brillant for Safari on the whole, but it does hunt in that low light under the canopy. Paired with a Canon 400D it would have been nice to have more choice of ISO and better noise handling as i spent the day using 800-1600. A lens with IS was a big help but i wish i'd had something along the line of 24-70 f2.8 (don't we all)

It will be brillant and I'd go again in a heartbeat as the Uganda people were so friendly.
You will have a wonderful time, if you would like any more details please ask.

Beautiful pictures, Nathan! Thanks for sharing. I hope I am that lucky.

Oh. Should I worry about the rain? Do I need to get some kind of cover?