You’ve heard the stories. You’ve seen the pictures. But nothing prepares you for the moment you stand in the middle of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the mist swirling around you, and come face-to-face with a silverback gorilla. The jungle feels like it’s holding its breath. The only sounds are the soft rustle of leaves and your own heartbeat thumping in your chest. Then, through the thick trees, he emerges.

He’s massive, like something out of an ancient dream, with broad shoulders and eyes that seem to hold the weight of centuries. His gaze catches yours, and time seems to slow down. In that instant, you realize you’re not just a visitor here; you’re a part of something much bigger. This is his world. You’re just a fleeting moment in it.

The air is thick with rain and earth, the smell of the jungle so rich it feels like you can taste it. Your legs ache from the long hike through the dense undergrowth, your body wet from the trail’s muddy embrace, but all of it fades away. There’s only him. The silverback moves with an almost regal slowness, brushing aside branches and leaves with ease. He’s powerful, yes, but there’s a quiet dignity to the way he moves, as though every step he takes is part of an ancient rhythm.

And then, the baby gorillas appear. Their playful energy contrasts sharply with the calm strength of their father. They tumble and wrestle in the underbrush, their innocent joy a stark reminder of the life that thrives in this jungle, untouched by time. You watch, captivated, as the silverback keeps a watchful eye on his family. It’s a moment of pure, untamed beauty. The kind of beauty that feels like it’s been around forever, and will continue long after you’re gone.

Uganda is home to nearly half the world’s mountain gorillas, and seeing them like this, in their own world, is an experience that changes you. You realize, in this moment, that you’re witnessing something rare, something precious. It’s not about the destination. It’s about feeling the pulse of the earth beneath your feet, breathing in the wild air, and understanding that you’ve stepped into a place where time moves differently, where life exists just as it always has.

As you leave the jungle, you feel the weight of what you’ve just experienced. It’s not just the sight of the gorillas that stays with you. It’s the feeling of being part of something real, something raw. Uganda has given you more than a glimpse into the wild. It’s given you a piece of the wild itself. 
 

Agnes Irungu