A Gorilla Encounter I’ll Never Forget at Mgahinga

Recently, I (Mark) had the incredible opportunity to visit Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and spend an unforgettable hour with a playful mountain gorilla family.

It was amazing to watch a mother gently care for her adorable baby. The younger gorillas were full of energy—somersaulting, frolicking, chasing one another, and piling on top of each other as they played. Their personalities were so entertaining, and being able to observe them up close was an experience unlike anything else.

But my favorite moment came when I found myself standing about six feet away from a massive silverback.

Suddenly, he began walking directly toward me.

Our guide calmly said, “He’s friendly. Just step off the path.”

I quickly moved aside, and the silverback walked right past me—so close that it hardly seemed real! Seeing such a powerful animal peacefully pass within just a few feet of me was both thrilling and humbling.

This was truly one of the most memorable wildlife experiences of my life.

Who’s ready to have an adventure like this?

Come on safari with me and experience the unforgettable beauty and wildlife of East Africa.

Plan your own Mgahinga trek: our 4-day Uganda double gorilla safari includes a gorilla trek in Mgahinga, and our 4-day Uganda gorilla and golden monkey safari treks in Mgahinga or Bwindi. Both start in Kigali. Our Rwanda vs Uganda guide compares the two countries.