Surviving 5 Days with Wild Mountain Gorillas, Chimps, and More in Uganda & Rwanda

African Wildlife Adventure

• 🌍 Embarking on a 5-day journey through Rwanda and Uganda to find some of the rarest animals on Earth, including mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
• 💡 The misconception that gorilla permits require extensive advance booking is debunked, with safaris found to be readily available.
• 👨‍ biologist with over 23 years of experience, the creator shares a lifelong dream of encountering mountain gorillas.

Encounters in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

• 🐒 The adventure begins in Rwanda, heading to Volcanoes National Park, a prime location for the endangered golden monkey.
• 😷 A unique experience involved wearing masks to avoid transmitting illnesses to the closely related golden monkeys.
• 🌿 Navigating through the forest, caution was taken for stinging nettles and thorns, which surprisingly, the golden monkeys consumed.
• ⏱️ A memorable hour was spent observing and interacting with the habituated golden monkeys.

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

• 🦍 The journey continues to Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for the highly anticipated mountain gorilla trek.
• 🏞️ Upon arrival, participants are assigned a specific gorilla group, with the Mushanguzi group being the focus.
• 🥾 The trek, described as medium difficulty, involves navigating the dense forest, with trackers locating the gorilla group within 30 minutes.
• 🦍 Witnessing a silverback gorilla, along with baby gorillas, provided a thrilling and unforgettable wildlife encounter.
• ⚠️ Strict guidelines were followed, including standing still when gorillas approach and avoiding direct eye contact.

Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

• 🦁 The expedition moves to Queen Elizabeth National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions.
• 🐘 Elephants were spotted along the roadside, showcasing the diverse wildlife of the region.
• 🐆 Researchers track lions and leopards using transmitters, contributing to their conservation efforts.
• 🌳 Lions climb trees to escape the tall grass or wet conditions, and leopards are elusive, making sightings special.
• 🍽️ Lions were observed with full bellies, likely having recently hunted a buffalo.

Nile Crocodiles and Hippos on the Kazinga Channel

• 🐊 The Kazinga Channel, connecting Lake Edward and Lake George, offers opportunities to see Nile crocodiles and hippos.
• 🚤 A boat safari provided sightings of juvenile crocodiles and numerous hippos, described as a hippo paradise.
• 📸 The abundance of hippos led to taking many photos, highlighting their captivating presence.

Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale National Park

• 🐒 Kibale National Park, known as the primate capital of the world, is the destination for chimpanzee tracking.
• 🦧 A large troop of baboons was encountered on the way to the park.
• 🌳 Chimpanzee tracking is described as less strenuous than gorilla trekking, with chimpanzees found to be very relaxed.
• 🤝 Grooming among chimpanzees is highlighted as essential for forming close social bonds, emphasizing their similarity to humans.
• 🌟 The experience with chimpanzees is highly recommended, offering a unique and intimate wildlife encounter.