Jun 21, 2023
Join me as I trek through Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to find a family of mountain gorillas and experience the magic of observing these incredible creatures up close. Don't miss this thrilling episode of The Radio Vagabond.
Also, you get to know Charles and Amos, both with a deep knowledge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and its enchanting mountain gorillas.
Charles is an experienced driver and tour guide from Eco Adventure Safaris dedicated to providing visitors with an unforgettable trip through Uganda's stunning scenery. Amos is an experienced ranger guide with a vast knowledge of the forest's ecosystem and a gift for recounting engaging stories about endangered mountain gorillas. Both Charles and Amos are passionate about wildlife and environmental conservation, offering wildlife enthusiasts an extraordinary journey that will leave a lasting impact.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Discover the wonders of gorilla trekking in Uganda while venturing into the majestic Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
- Gain fascinating insights into the lives of mountain gorillas and their awe-inspiring habitats.
- Learn about silverback gorillas' crucial roles and behavior in their social groups.
- Acquire essential information on permits and costs for mountain gorilla visits in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction
I’m in Uganda, waiting for a driver to take me on a three-day tour
to the jungle to see the mountain gorillas.
00:02:20 - Eco Adventures Safari
Charles from Eco Adventures Safari picks me up, and we spend 10
hours driving to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Charles explains the itinerary, including community walks, gorilla
tracking, and the journey back.
00:05:10 - Rolex Snack
Charles introduces me to
a popular Ugandan street food called Rolex. The snack consists of
an omelette rolled up in a chapati and has become a symbol of
Ugandan entrepreneurship.
00:08:08 - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
I
describe the national park, which covers an area of 320 square
kilometres and is home to almost half of the world's mountain
gorillas. UNESCO also recognizes the park as a World Heritage Site
due to its many different plants and animals, including the Batwa
Pygmies, one of Africa's oldest indigenous communities.
00:12:36 - Trekking to See Gorillas
We arrive
at the park headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife
Authority Ranger guides. After a performance from the Rushaga
Community Handicraft Association, we begin our trek to see the
mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
00:17:14 - Gorilla Encounter
I talk to the
ranger guide, Amos, about the magical experience of encountering a
family of mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. We
talk about the social structure of gorilla families, the role of
the silverback, and how trackers locate the gorilla groups.
00:23:33 - Gorilla Behaviour
The
conversation revolves around gorilla behavior, including how the
silverback protects the family from predators and other gorilla
groups. We discuss how females leave their families and join new
silverbacks when they are soon to conceive and how gorillas engage
in friendly interactions with other groups.
00:26:08 - Reflecting
Over lunch, the
group reflects on our hour-long encounter with the gorillas,
talking about how natural the gorillas were around humans and how
close we got to the silverback. We also discuss the incredible
acrobatic skills of the gorilla kids and how human-like their
behavior was.
00:28:30 - Permits and Costs
I provide
information on the cost of permits to visit mountain gorillas in
Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo and recommend Eco Adventure Safari for
those considering gorilla tracking.
00:30:48 - Part Two Preview
I tease the second
part of my Uganda gorilla trip episodes, where I go on a slippery
and muddy adventure, falls multiple times, and teach you some
important words in the local Luganda language. I also hint at
something terrible that happened on this trip.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
- Book a tour with Eco Adventure Safaris for responsible, eco-friendly gorilla trekking tours and wildlife safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania.
- Try a Ugandan-style omelet rolled up in a chapati called a Rolex.
- Follow The Radio Vagabond on Instagram and check out my photos from the trip.
- Spend the night at Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, nestled in natural surroundings and offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere – and a stunning view.
- Consider visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park during June, July, August, September, or December for drier weather and better gorilla trekking conditions.
- Ensure your camera is fully charged and has enough space for photos before embarking on the gorilla trek with Uganda Wildlife Authority Ranger guides.
- Support the Rushaga Community Handicraft Association by purchasing their handmade crafts when visiting the national park.
- Donate to organizations supporting mountain gorillas conservation, such as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund or the International Gorilla Conservation Programme.
- Visit Hotels25.com for the best hotel prices worldwide.