After breakfasting, loading the truck, getting supplies and waiting for the permits to arrive 
at the park gate, we started our ascent. A relatively easy first day on tracks and paths through the rainforest to our first camp. We were all excited starting and inpatient to get under way, so the delays with the park permits etc was a frustrating start but a fact of life. We finally began our 6 hour walk at around 11.30am.
at the park gate, we started our ascent. A relatively easy first day on tracks and paths through the rainforest to our first camp. We were all excited starting and inpatient to get under way, so the delays with the park permits etc was a frustrating start but a fact of life. We finally began our 6 hour walk at around 11.30am. The forest is thick and heavy low down, and the atmosphere was hot and humid as we climbed though. Just before we reached camp, one of our guide
s disappeared ahead on some invented pretext, but actually told the porters of our impending arrival who surprised us by singing us into camp!
s disappeared ahead oUmbwe camp
Day 1: Umbwe Gate to Umbwe Caves
