Of the dozens of wildlife viewing experiences I’ve had in Africa and the rest of the world, encountering mountain gorillas in their natural habitat takes the cake. On my first gorilla trek in Rwanda in 2008, I felt as if I had been invited to a reunion of distant, hairy relatives. When I first saw the gorillas I took photos for a while, but then put my camera away so I could just watch. I stood mere feet from these powerful animals and they calmly let me be a part of their world. No glass, no bars, no rumbling safari car engine, no squinting through binoculars, just humans and gorillas together in the forest.
Anyone going on Uganda safari in East Africa should consider adding on a few days to see the mountain gorillas in nearby Rwanda, Uganda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking requires more active participation than traditional safaris, so it’s important to plan ahead so you are prepared for the challenge. Once you book a tour (I recommend many tour companies for trekking in Rwanda and Uganda) but the most important points to keep in mind is to have a great time at whatever cost.