While we proudly call Uganda the “Pearl of Africa” – still seeking the back story to that one – I wouldn’t call it a tourist destination. Except for Bwindi.
I would gladly visit this place for the sake of its beauty, people, and not to mention luxury accommodations, but that’s not why thousands of people spend hours on planes and miles on miserable dirt roads to get here. People come from all around the world for the company….wild mountain gorillas.
Upon arrival at our hotel, a day away from our scheduled gorilla trekking adventure, the staff informed us that the gorillas were seen in town just an hour before we came. Most of the staff were raised in Bwindi and these gorillas are as normal to them as the cows and goats every family raises. I can’t help but wonder if they think we’re silly for coming so far to see their backyard buddies.
The morning of our trek, we arrived for a briefing, in which we were expecting an in depth training session of appropriate ways to behave when coming face to face with these very big, very strong wild animals. Advice was sparse, in fact, I don’t recall any precautionary tips at all, just discussion about the hike itself.
The hike…well…let’s say it was 5 hours of us learning why they call it The Impenetrable Forest.
I wish I could tell you my real thoughts on the experience, but I’m just still trying to convince myself that it really happened, so I don’t have much to say. At least I have the video to prove it. And stay tuned for Quinn’s photos!
Huge thanks to my parents for taking us on this trek!
