Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (translated)

If you love the outdoors, don’t mind breaking a sweat and getting a little dirty, and want to witness one of the most magnificent animals on the planet up close, keep reading. Seeing gorillas in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—one that I wouldn’t hesitate to do again. Just take a look at the example pictures to get a glimpse of what awaits you!

On the recommendation of a friend’s parents—who, well into their 60s, had an amazing time (though to be fair, they’re avid cyclists and generally in great shape)—three friends and I traveled to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see the famous (and endangered) mountain gorillas. For many reasons, this turned out to be one of the most surreal and unforgettable experiences of my life.

We were greeted at the airport in Entebbe by Alfonce, our driver, guide, comedian, and all-around good sport for the next three days. Born and raised in Uganda, he endured our terrible jokes, constant chatter, wildly varied music choices, and post-trekking odor like a true professional. We booked the entire trip through Brenda, Rayka and Leo directly with our booking at Kasana Lake house and were more than happy with the entire experience. All we had to do is enjoy the adventure to the fullest, which we absolutely did.

For accommodations, we stayed at the Kasana Lake House. It was a magnificent stay—Arali, the manager on site, took great care of us. The food was excellent, the beers were cold, the beds were comfortable, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. The rooms felt straight out of Out of Africa—except instead of Meryl Streep, I was stuck with my buddy Greg.

The first day’s hike, which can only be described as breathtaking—both in terms of the scenery and the physical exertion—lasted a little over two hours. I’ll never forget the moment I first locked eyes with one of these incredible creatures. With deep red eyes and massive bellies, they were magnificent—each unique in its own way. The photos only capture a fraction of their presence. I won’t say too much more, as I wouldn’t want to spoil the experience for you.

The second day’s hike was, in my opinion, a bit more demanding than the first. If you can afford it, I highly recommend doing two days of trekking (permits cost $500 per day)—on day one, we only saw four gorillas, while on day two, we encountered many more, including young ones. This second trek involved more machete hacking, more mud, and plenty of thorny bushes. It’s worth mentioning that while gorilla trekking is an awe-inspiring experience, it’s best suited for those in decent (preferably good) shape. For those who are less mobile, there’s the ‘991 Program,’ where 4-8 people (depending on how many Big Macs you’ve had in the past six months) carry you on a stretcher to see the gorillas.

On the other hand, if you’re a serious or semi-serious hiker, this is your Mecca—a story to tell your grandkids. Next year, instead of heading back to Yosemite, consider Bwindi. Just take another look at the pictures, and you’ll see why.

The Alpha male was clearly interested in us, but thankfully not too much. I've lost track of time we spent there, but it felt like he was studying us as much as we were studying him. It was magical to see him and his family in the wild. I can hardly put it in words what it did to us.