We were not the first and certainly will not be the last; but how impressive it was: a visit to a family of mountain gorillas in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southern western Uganda.
After a briefing, we were split into groups (the fittest should walk the furthest). We decided to take a porter with us to lend a hand and carry our backpack a 20 dolar. This is a nice contribution to the local community living next to the park.
Trackers have been looking for the gorilla family's roost early in the morning. The walk is brisk. The last stretch goes right through the forest, where there are no paths yet. After 45 minutes, we spot the first gorilla high up in a tree. And after ten minutes we continue in search of the silverback, the alpha male. We find him on a steep and densely vegetated section. The trackers carve a path for us. The silverback sits quietly eating leaves on a branch two metres high. It is breathtaking. We stand three metres from this mighty beast. He completely ignores us.
Further on, a female sits under a bush. And yes, she has a young with her. The young mountain gorilla decides to explore and climbs up, alone. He sways awkwardly back and forth. Hangs on one hand. Makes head rolls. It is so touching.
After a good hour, it's time to say goodbye. At that moment, the silverback decides to move on a bit. It runs straight at us, startling us. The rangers call out not to run away - and take our best photos. The silverback joins us for a while. He looks straight at us. I hesitate to look him in the eye, but he doesn't care. He continues eating. And we say goodbye to him.
Негізгі бет So close to the mountain gorillas' | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
Пікірлер