By the Managing Director, Bashem Safaris
In December 2022, I returned to the mist-covered slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. While I have spent my life around these landscapes, this particular trek with our clients served as a powerful reminder of why we do what we do at Bashem Safaris.
Standing face-to-face with a creature that shares 98.4% of our DNA is not just a wildlife viewing opportunity; it is a moment that challenges your understanding of the natural world.
A Legacy Rooted in the Mountains
My connection to these gorillas isn’t just professional—it’s ancestral. I grew up in the shadow of Mount Muhabura, where my grandfather served as a game ranger in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
As a boy, I didn’t speak English, but I communicated with the tourists who stayed at my grandfather’s campsite through sign language. I would carry their bags and lead them through the trails I knew by heart.
A Lesson Learned: My grandfather was a man of the forest, but because he didn’t speak English, he was often taken advantage of by translators. This inspired my path. I wanted to become a bridge—a guide who could protect both the traveler and the local community through honest, clear communication.
The Bwindi Experience: More Than a Trek
Bwindi is ancient. Entering the forest feels less like a visit and more like a pilgrimage. With only about 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining on Earth, Bwindi protects nearly half of them.
During our December trek, we sought out the Mucyunguzi family. The journey was physically demanding—hours of navigating steep, muddy terrain—but our rangers turned the hike into a masterclass in ecology. They pointed out:
- Fresh night nests
- Ancient medicinal plants
- Subtle signs of forest life
The Moment of Connection
When we finally found the family, the air grew still. I remember catching the gaze of a mother gorilla. I deliberately blinked slowly—a sign of peace in their world—and she blinked back. In that quiet exchange, the line between human and animal felt thinner than ever.
The most unforgettable moment, however, was when a young blackback gently reached out and took hold of my forearm. His touch was light, curious, and calm. While we always maintain a safe distance of 7 meters to protect their health, sometimes the gorillas decide to close the gap on their own terms.
Conservation Through Community
At Bashem Safaris, we believe you cannot protect the gorillas if you do not support the people who live alongside them. During our journey, we visited the Rukeri Batwa community.
The Batwa are the original “keepers of the forest.” Today, through tourism, we support the Rukeri community by providing:
- Scholastic materials for local children
- Food security and medical care
- Sustainable housing initiatives
Why We Trek
Sitting quietly with a silverback strips life back to its essentials: connection, respect, and coexistence. It reminds us that we are not separate from nature; we are a part of it.
Holding onto the same tree as a mountain gorilla changed me as a child, and it changed me again in 2022. It is an experience I believe everyone should have—not just for the sake of the gorillas’ future, but for the perspective it gives our own.