GORILLA TREK IN UGANDA: Guest Post by Karen Minkowski

With many thanks to my friend Karen Minkowski, a most intrepid traveler, for sharing her gorilla trek in Bwindi National Park in Uganda with The Intrepid Tourist. 

In 1971 I hiked down the steep slopes of the Impenetrable Forest with a guide and a couple friends in search of gorillas. We reached the bottom of the mountain, where just across a small stream we could hear a group of gorillas hidden behind a large stand of bamboo, quietly moving and vocalizing. At that time the gorillas were not habituated, and we decided not to cross the water and likely scare them away. 

A couple days ago (a short 52 years later!), I returned to this forest, now called Bwindi National Park, to see these amazing creatures on a scheduled trek to a well-habituated gorilla family. It was a difficult hike, though not compared with what other (younger) groups did. I was happy to have hired a porter who carried my heavy pack and frequently offered a helping hand.

Vegetation often obscured the gorillas, and I rarely saw their entire bodies, but I managed to capture a few of their beautiful faces and expressions.

With me on the trek was Arinawe Scodious one of Uganda’s few women tourist guides (but their numbers are increasing). She is caring, fun and super competent – great to travel with and I highly recommend her. You'll find her on FB. I also recommend doing the Gorilla Trek before you have experienced too much of the stiffness and loss of agility that comes with ageing - just makes it easier.

I'd kind of hoped one would approach and touch me as I sat very still, according to the guide's orders, not responding in any way. No such luck!!