Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: Our Journey Into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest :A once-in-a-lifetime trek through the mountains of Uganda to meet a wild gorilla family Stepping Into the Heart of Africa

Welcome to Travel with Track Us Down. If you’re new here, we’re Monique and Doug, early retirees who moved abroad and now document what it means to live a purposeful, joy filled second half of life.

In this chapter of our Africa journey, we joined a G Adventures trekking safari in Uganda , a trip designed around one major moment: hiking into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to meet a mountain gorilla family. It’s a bucket list item we’ve talked about for years… and now it was happening. Heading Out With G Adventures We began in Entebbe (after acclimatizing in our previous video), then boarded our overland G Adventures vehicle a purpose built truck equipped with storage, food coolers, camping gear, and rotating group duties. Participation camping is the base option for this tour, where travelers pitch their own dome tents and share facilities. We chose to upgrade to rooms with private bathrooms along the way, still budget-to-mid-range lodges, but comfortable and practical for the long days ahead. Early mornings became part of the rhythm. One morning began at 4:00 a.m. with a 4–5 hour drive to reach Uganda’s Equator line. Standing with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern was a fun moment of geography nerd joy before continuing deeper into the country. Life on the Road: Group Meals, Shared Duties, and First Impressions Life on safari is communal. Each traveller takes on a rotating duty such as washing dishes, chopping vegetables, cleaning up, delivering leftover meals to local guards watching over the grounds at night. One evening, Doug delivered dinner and fresh naan bread to the camp guards , a meaningful, humble moment that reflected the shared respect between hosts and guests. Meals were hearty and often delicious, including a standout Indian dinner one evening and nights usually ended with a well-earned local beer. Lake Bunyonyi: The Journey Turns Remote The road to Lake Bunyonyi felt like the Africa we had imagined, long, dusty roads winding through mountains, lush forests, and remote terrain. When we reached the lake, nestled high in Uganda’s southwestern highlands, it felt like we had entered another world. The resort was peaceful, surrounded by misty hills, with a deep silence that reminded us just how far we had come. Accommodation options here ranged from dome tents (included), to safari tents overlooking the lake, to small cottages with private bathrooms. The safari tents were beautifully placed right on the water but shared communal restrooms. For a little extra comfort, we opted for the cottage upgrade. A Glimpse Into Indigenous History: Visiting the Batwa (Pygmy) Community From Lake Bunyonyi, we took a boat ride to meet members of the Batwa people, an Indigenous community with ancestral roots deep in Uganda’s forests. Historically hunter-gatherers, they once lived harmoniously within what is now national park territory. When these forests were declared protected lands in 1991, they were displaced, leaving many without land or formal integration. As visitors, it’s important to understand both the beauty and complexity of these encounters. We brought rice as a courtesy gift, a common practice here, and were welcomed with traditional dance and storytelling. It was emotional, humbling, and a reminder that conservation is always tied to human stories. Trek Day: Into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Wake-up: 4:30 a.m. Breakfast: 5:00 a.m. Mindset: focused, nervous, excited. This was it : gorilla trekking day. At the Bwindi briefing centre, we were assigned to a specific gorilla family: a group of ten individuals, led by a dominant silverback. The rangers explained the roles within the group :silverback (leader), mothers, juveniles, and babies and outlined safety rules, trail etiquette, and the importance of masks to protect gorillas from human borne illness. Trackers had already gone ahead to locate the family. We followed our guide deep into the jungle, using trails originally carved by elephants. Along the way, he explained how gorillas shape the forest ecosystem by forging pathways and breaking vegetation that allows new growth. As we climbed, the terrain became muddy, dense, and steep. Gloves were essential. Every turn felt like we were getting closer. Then came the call: the gorillas were nearby. One Hour With a Gorilla Family The silverback was the first we saw. He is powerful and calm, quietly eating bamboo. Nearby, we observed mothers resting, two babies clinging closely, and a curious adolescent moving between trees like a teenager testing boundaries. In total, we counted around seven or eight individuals during our hour with them. They were peaceful, playful, and surprisingly expressive. The proximity was surreal. A fun fact: silverbacks do have a distinct scent — we humorously described it as something akin to “fast food.” There was also a fair amount of gorilla flatulence happening during mealtime, which became a surprisingly unfiltered (and oddly endearing) part of the moment. But humor aside , it was emotional. A privilege. An encounter rooted in respect. Earning the Certificate: A Bucket List Realized After tracking back out, tired but exhilarated, we received our official gorilla trekking certificates. For Monique, it was bucket list item #68 — now checked with joy and gratitude. There are only three places in the world where you can trek wild mountain gorillas: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the most accessible and sustainably managed options. Yes, the permit is expensive. But the funds support conservation, anti-poaching initiatives, and local community development, ensuring that these magnificent animals and their habitats are protected for generations. What’s Next: From Gorillas to Chimps and Rhinos After a hot shower and a quiet moment to reflect at camp, the journey continued. Next up: trekking to see chimpanzees and visiting rhinos, the next wild chapters in this unforgettable African adventure.

As always, check back in and track us down. Doug & Monique