Gorilla Trip in Uganda

Gorilla trip in Uganda: face to face with mountain gorillas

A gorilla trip in Uganda is an experience that cannot be compared to anything else. Deep in the misty rainforests of the southwest of the country, you build up to an encounter that leaves you speechless. The moment you come face to face with a mountain gorilla is intense, respectful, and unforgettable. Uganda is one of the few countries in the world where this is possible, and it is precisely the combination of rugged nature, small scale, and good protection that makes this experience so special.

Why a gorilla trip belongs on your bucket list

Visiting the mountain gorillas is often described as a ‘once in a lifetime experience’. And that is no exaggeration. The mountain gorilla is an endangered species that only occurs in the wild in three countries in the world. Uganda is one of them. It is a rare opportunity to see these impressive animals in their own habitat, without fences or glass in between.

The experience can hardly be expressed in words. It is intense and moving. It is certainly not a cheap activity, as the permits are pricey. But everyone who has done it says the same thing: it is 1000% worth the money. It is an experience that stays with you forever and touches you in a way that few other travel experiences do.

The gorilla trekking: straight through the impenetrable forest

The journey to the gorillas is an adventure in itself. The gorillas live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The name says it all: it is a dense and rugged rainforest. The trek is therefore a physical exertion. You do not walk on raked paths, but straight through dense undergrowth and up and down steep slopes.

You are accompanied by a team of rangers. They lead the way and clear the path through the vegetation with machetes. It can be tough, it is often hot due to the protective clothing you wear, and it is thrilling. Along the way, you come across all sorts of things: tracks of elephants, other monkey species, and exotic birds. You have to work for your reward, but that only makes the satisfaction greater when you finally find them.

The moment of the encounter during the gorilla trip

After a trek of sometimes up to two hours (or longer) through the forest, the moment suddenly arrives: you see the first gorilla. And believe us, that makes an impression. A male, the silverback, is enormous and radiates pure power. You are allowed to get as close as about 5 metres. Coming face to face with such a peaceful yet powerful animal provides pure adrenaline, but strangely enough, you feel no fear.

You are allowed to stay with the gorilla family for exactly one hour. In that hour, you observe how they live. You see young gorillas playing with each other, mothers caring for their young, and the silverback calmly keeping an eye on everything (and sometimes letting everyone know who is boss). It is fascinating to see how human their behaviour sometimes seems. Because you are in the dense forest, you sometimes have to make an effort to keep up with them as they move around.

Safety and respect for the gorillas

Perhaps you are wondering if it is safe to get so close to wild gorillas. The trek is extremely well organised and safety comes first. You set off with a group of about 5 rangers, who are armed. This is not to harm the gorillas, but to protect the group against other wild animals in the forest, such as forest elephants, should that be necessary.

To protect the health of the gorillas, there are strict rules. As soon as you get close to the gorillas, you must put on a face mask. This prevents human diseases from being transmitted to the animals. You keep an appropriate distance and always follow the rangers’ instructions. This keeps the encounter safe and respectful for both humans and animals.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: A unique habitat

The setting for this trip, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, is one of the oldest and most diverse rainforests in Africa. It is located in the southwest of Uganda. The park is home to nearly half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas. But the forest is more than just a home for gorillas; it is an ecosystem full of life.

During the trek, you experience the mystique of the forest. The mist that often hangs between the hills, the sounds of insects and birds, and the enormous variety of plants and trees make it a magical place. Even without the gorillas, a walk here would be impressive, but knowing that these giants are roaming around somewhere makes it extra exciting.