“Life is about creating and living experiences that are worth sharing.” – Steve Jobs
Spending time with the gorillas in the wild was by far the most transformative and up-close wildlife experience I had in Africa. I stood just a few feet from these gentle giants in their forest habitat and saw them munching on fruit and plants, playing with each other and being groomed by their mother. This face-to-face encounter has gifted me with memories that will last my lifetime. And yes…although I had no idea what to expect, and to be honest was a little nervous at first, the experience was definitely and absolutely worth it!
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Adventure Highlights!
Gorilla trekking often means hours of hiking on steep, narrow footpaths and through the impenetrable forest to see these primates in their natural habitat. Because mountain gorillas don’t live anywhere in the world outside of the forests of Central and Eastern Africa, gorilla trekking is the only way for humans to see and observe them. It requires an advance permit as the number of trekkers per day is limited to 60.
We started our journey early in the morning…all geared up with layers of clothing…rain jackets, thick gloves, hats, long socks, hiking boots and gaiters. The gaiters were important because they helped to prevent fire ants from creeping into our pants.
Since it’s Covid times, we wore masks, and our temperature was checked upon arrival at the center. Gorillas are highly susceptible to human illnesses. So, for extra precaution, our boots were sanitized with alcohol twice…once before we began our hike through the fields and then again before entering deep into the forest.
After the park rangers debriefed us about the adventure, we set out on a 45-minute drive to the entrance point on the other side of the mountain. Because gorillas are monitored so closely, and either researchers and trekkers are in touch with them every day, our guides knew more or less where the different families were located. Our mission was to find the Habinyanja family and we were excited and ready for one of the most profound wildlife experiences in the world.
Once we arrived at the starting point, we began our hike along the ridge of the mountainous rainforest, through vibrant green tea plantations and tall fields of millet. Our climb was steep and our footpaths were narrow. We forged through the crops until we reached an entrance point in the forest. It was very dense and there wasn’t a pathway that was clearly marked. So we followed the lead tracker who slashed through the foliage with his machete creating a pathway so we could continue trekking through the forest. The gorilla families are constantly on the move and we were warned that the hike could take 1 to 3 hours to find the Habinyanja family.
A trekking we will go!
Because the terrain was so steep and the forest dense, all of us hired a local porter, something that is quite customary for a trekking experience. Paison was my buddy and porter who assisted me on the climb and at times pulled me up the steep terrain. After 5 hours of carrying my lunch, water bottles, my gear (and sometimes me), and using his machete to slash a clear path through the forest (see video above), I was glad to have him with me for the entire adventure!!
After about an hour and a half of hiking, I noticed the look on Paison’s face change…from a serious look to a smile and then he said to me…”A little longer! We are almost there.”
Within 10 minutes we came to a clearing and Paison said…”Look to your right! Over there!” And before my eyes was a mountain gorilla sitting in the brush, pulling leaves from a vine, eating. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a second, then third and another hanging from a tree and then a young one cuddled up with its mother. In total, the family was 12 members, with two Silverbacks.
Once you arrive, you only have 1 hour to visit and take photos and videos. For their protection, human interaction is limited to one visit per day, per family group. Their beautiful black and silky coats against the rainforest’s vibrant green and lush foliage, is what we went to see in Uganda. And we did…up close, and personal!
Seeing the mountain gorillas in their habitat was one of life’s magical moments. My first ever face-to-face encounter was profound and exhilarating. There’s an undeniable connection of familiarity since these primates’ behavior, mannerisms, hands and expressions are very similar to ours. It’s not surprising they share 98% of our DNA. To have tracked and sweated for over 5 hours in a deep jungle and finally stumble upon a family of mountain gorillas is for sure an awe-inspiring and memorable experience!
Now…are you ready to travel to Uganda? Let’s go!!
Look at how close we were to the gorillas! Check out the video below!
Wildlife Encounters – Up Close & Personal
“You cannot leave Africa, Africa said. It is always with you, there inside your head. Our rivers run in currents in the swirl of your thumbprints. Our drumbeats counting out your pulse. Our coastline the silhouette of your soul.” -Bridget Dore
Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Uganda…The Pearl of Africa!!
Part of what makes Uganda such a special place to visit is its combination of wildlife experiences within such a small region. It’s a beautiful destination for adventurous souls and wildlife lovers.
Next week, I will highlight more spectacular wildlife along with the beautiful landscape. I’ll also share some fun stories and pictures from what I captured on our journey!! Stay tuned!
Click below to follow along on this amazing journey.
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. -John Muir
As we start a new year, take time to reflect on your dream destinations! What places and moments would you like to experience and what memories would you like to cherish long after you return from your adventure?
