5 BEST PLACES TO SEE CHEETAH IN THE WILD
1 September 20255 BEST PLACES TO SEE CHEETAH IN THE WILD
1 September 2025ADVENTURE STORIES
GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA
After three weeks of exploring almost every corner of Uganda’s national parks, I still hadn’t experienced two of the country’s most iconic wildlife encounters—gorilla and chimpanzee trekking. This trip would change that, and it was also my first time seeing mountain gorillas. My only prior gorilla experience was in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of the Congo, where we trekked for western lowland gorillas. The contrast was striking. Western lowland gorillas are smaller, more dispersed, and often found in swampy terrain, while Uganda’s mountain gorillas are larger, live at higher altitudes, and spend more time on the ground in cohesive family groups.
Over the course of our stay in Bwindi, we completed three treks from the same lodge we use for all our scheduled safaris to this region. The location, service, and convenience make it the perfect base, and both the guests and I agreed that three treks was the ideal number. It gave us a variety of experiences with different families without feeling repetitive, and it was well worth the investment given the cost of the permits.
Habinyanja Family
Our first trek took us deep into Bwindi, with a long drive to the trailhead before we even began our hike. The effort was well rewarded as we came face-to-face with the Habinyanja family, one of the most established groups in the Buhoma sector. The name “Habinyanja” means “place of water” in the local language, after the swamp where they were first sighted during habituation.
The group is large and well-known, and on this visit we were treated to something truly special: the presence of a tiny six-week-old infant clutched tightly to its mother. Moments like these give a real sense of the fragility and resilience of mountain gorillas. We also enjoyed excellent views of the dominant silverback, a powerful yet calm presence who kept a close eye on his family while allowing us an unforgettable look into their world.
Rushegura Family
Our second trek brought us to the Rushegura family, often called “R-Group” by trackers. This is the largest of the groups we visited, with numbers regularly exceeding 16 individuals. They are known for their relatively calm temperament and sometimes wandering close to the Buhoma village, which makes them one of the most popular groups to see.
The trek itself was easy, beginning right from the Gorilla Centre without the need for a long drive. The highlight came when the family led us out onto an open trail. One by one, the gorillas calmly walked past us at arm’s length, completely unbothered by our presence. To stand on the path as such a large family moved past was an extraordinary experience—one of those rare moments when the line between observer and wilderness participant seemed to vanish.
DID YOU KNOW
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Katwe Family
Our third and final trek took us to the Katwe family, the newest group to be opened for tourism in the Buhoma sector. Katwe’s history is closely tied to the Mubare family, as they were formed in 2018 after dispersals following the death of Mubare’s famous silverback, Kanyonyi. Today they are led by Mahaane, a strong silverback who oversees a smaller family of around nine individuals.
Despite being newer to visitors, the Katwe family gave us a wonderfully relaxed experience. We found Mahaane and his family feeding in a vine-covered gully, juveniles playing while the adults calmly foraged. What made this trek particularly memorable was its proximity—after our hour with the gorillas, we simply walked a short distance back through local tea plantations to the main gate and Gorilla Centre. The transition from dense forest to village life in minutes was a powerful reminder of how closely these gorillas live alongside the people of Buhoma.
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From a photographic point of view, a 70–200mm or 24–70mm lens is ideal for gorilla trekking. The close encounters, intimate portraits, and environmental frames all suit shorter focal lengths, and you’d be amazed by what you can capture. For this trip, I shot primarily with the Canon 100–300mm f/2.8, but also used a 35mm f/1.8 for animal-in-environment images that really conveyed the scale of the forest. If I had to recommend a kit, those two lenses (70-200mm and 24-70mm) would cover everything you need.
If the idea of combining incredible photography with the chance to meet both Gorillas and Chimpanzees excites you, take a look at our Primates of Uganda Photo Safari. It’s a journey that offers the very best of Uganda’s primate experiences.
I was very fortunate that my love for the bush and conservation took me on journey which would not only allow me to explore the continent which fascinates me so much, but to share my passion for photography and conservation with others.