The Call of the Wild: What It Really Feels Like to Trek Mountain Gorillas

I’ll never forget the moment the forest swallowed me whole. The mist was still clinging to the valleys of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and every step felt like a passage deeper into another world. I had dreamed of this for years, trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda but nothing prepared me for what it would actually feel like when I came face-to-face with them.

The Waiting Game

The day started early (5am) long before sunrise, we got up and had our breakfast before driving about 2 hours to Rushaga sector where we would be briefed. When we gathered at the park headquarters, the rangers handed out instructions, paired us with trackers, and reminded us of the rules. My gorilla trekking permit felt like a golden ticket in my hand, proof that I was about to do something only a privileged few in the world get to experience.

As we set off, I felt the weight of anticipation. My boots crunched against the damp earth. The forest around us was alive with bird calls, rustling branches, and a rhythm that belonged entirely to nature. Every sound made me wonder: Could that be them?

Into the Wild

The trek was tough. Steep inclines, thick undergrowth, and slick mud turned each step into an effort. My breath came heavy, and sweat mixed with the cool forest mist. But with every stride, I felt the thrill of the unknown growing stronger.

Our ranger Wilbert, whispered about the gorilla family (Bweza) we were tracking their movements, their silverback leader, their newborn baby. My heart pounded as though it already knew I was about to meet something extraordinary.

The Moment It Happens

And then it happened. The ranger raised his hand and signaled us to stop. Just ahead, in a sun-dappled clearing, a family of gorillas sat as if the world belonged only to them.

The first one I saw was a mother, cradling her infant with a tenderness so familiar it made my chest ache. Nearby, the silverback, massive, majestic, commanding sat quietly, his eyes scanning his domain. When his gaze met mine, time seemed to dissolve.

It wasn’t fear I felt. It was recognition. In those deep, thoughtful eyes, I saw something uncannily human, something that reached past species and circumstance into the raw essence of being alive.

A Tangle of Emotions

I thought I’d be calm. Instead, tears pricked my eyes. Awe, humility, and a deep, overwhelming respect flooded me all at once. The hour we were allowed to stay felt both impossibly short and eternal. I watched juveniles tumble over one another in play, listened to the soft grunts of communication, and marveled at the gentle strength in every movement.

I realized then that gorilla trekking in Uganda isn’t just an adventure, it’s an encounter with kin. These aren’t just animals in a forest; they are a family, living, thriving, and surviving against all odds.

More Than a Safari

As I trekked back down the trail, exhausted yet exhilarated, I understood why people call this one of the most transformative wildlife experiences on Earth. My permit fee wasn’t just an entry ticket; it was a contribution to conservation and to the communities that share their land with these endangered giants.

With only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the wild, every visitor, every trekker, plays a role in keeping them safe. And that made the experience not just meaningful, but purposeful.

If You Go

If you’re dreaming of gorilla trekking in Uganda, here’s what I learned:

• Book early. Gorilla trekking permits are limited and sell out fast.
• Be prepared. The hike is demanding, but so worth it, good boots, gloves, and rain gear are lifesavers.
• Trust the rangers. Their knowledge and respect for the gorillas will guide your every step.
• Stay present. That one magical hour with the gorillas will pass quickly; soak it all in.

Answering the Call with Alakara Travels

When I chose to travel with Alakara Travels, I wasn’t just signing up for a trek, I was joining a journey. They made sure everything was seamless: my permits, my transport, my accommodation, even the little details I hadn’t thought of. What mattered most was that they understood the emotion behind the experience.

Gorilla trekking isn’t just about ticking something off your bucket list. It’s about standing in the heart of the wild and feeling, for a fleeting moment, that you belong there too.

Final Reflection

The call of the wild is not a sound, it’s a feeling. It’s the heartbeat you hear when a silverback locks eyes with you. It’s the hush of the forest when you realize you’re part of something far bigger than yourself.

For me, trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda wasn’t just travel. It was transformation. And if you’re ready to answer that same call, Alakara Travels will take you there.