Journey to Uganda- Gorilla Trekking and Safari Tales
Can you imagine stepping into the heart of Uganda’s jungles, surrounded by ancient trees and the promise of encountering mountain gorillas? Can you imagine traveling to Uganda? When you speak with someone who has been to Africa and on safari, the talk centers on South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania. Uganda isn’t the typical conversation. I hope to change that for at least a few with my recent safari and trekking in Uganda.
Bottom line: Uganda delivered. From the lush landscape of rolling hills and mountainside farming (think Peru!) to the hills specked with small villages and farms and rivers. The Ugandan countryside is stunning. The rural homes are simple. The villages are rustic. And where else can you see Ankole-Watusi cattle on the side of the road?
Uganda offers a different landscape from Kenya or Tanzania. Uganda’s national parks and conservatories boast more diverse landscapes, including vast savannahs, woodlands, and wetlands. Wildlife lives amongst vibrant greenery and forests. Uganda is surrounded by the Great Lakes of Africa (including Lake Victoria which is Africa’s largest freshwater lake) and it is where the Nile begins. A cruise down the Nile in Uganda was an experience to remember, culminating in a visit to Murchison Falls- where the Nile forces its’ way through a narrow gorge. This alone was a safari as we saw families of elephants, hippos, zebras, and giraffes from our view on the water. The land safari experience in general was more intimate and less crowded. Its’ a birding heaven (with over 1000 species of birds); offers 15 species of monkeys; and the ability to track rhinos in a swamp and gorillas, chimpanzees, golden monkeys, and tree lions in the jungle on foot. Then you have the “regular” safari with the Big Five on top!
About those primates
Uganda offers protected habitats to nearly half of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorilla population. Preparation for a gorilla trek is a must before you leave home. Make sure you secure a permit well in advance. Other essentials including being in good physical shape for jungle trekking and acquiring the right clothing and gear for the trip. Once everything is planned and in order, you are ready for this unique and profound experience.
All gorilla treks require guides, with optional porters. I highly recommend hiring a porter to carry your backpack and to help push and pull you through the mud and dense foliage if needed 😊. The trek can vary from a couple of hours to a full day depending on the gorilla family you have been assigned to and where they are on the mountain.
We were fortunate to find our family within two hours. The jungle was dense, muddy, humid. A few machete swings from a guide cleared some of the vines, leading to the first sighting. A family of mountain gorillas on different levels of the forest. Simply minding their own business when we meet. The connection is truly surreal. It’s like observing a family album. Watchful adults, babies on their mom, toddlers playing and wrestling with each other, and silverback dad hiding in the leaves ensuring everyone is safe with us in sight before lumbering off. Their family dynamics aren’t very different than mine! Pictures are etched both on the camera and in my mind. Their eyes tell a thousand stories. They are as curious about us as we are about them.
Witnessing gorillas in the wild is a privilege that leaves a profound emotional impact. Our allotted time went to quickly. Now for the trek back.