The World is My Playground

                Although I am now grown up (relatively speaking, of course), the thrill I felt  as I was tracking the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest reminded me of my childhood when I spent  the majority of my time curiously exploring the world around me.  As I was slashing my way through the dense growth of the jungle, I was reminded of how awesome, diverse, and surprising the world really is.  Although we had to drive nearly 12 hours (which meant stopping by the equator, randomly encountering a herd of zebras, and passing through a region that is known to be the home of tree-climbing lions – which unfortunately were hiding) Kara and I finally arrived in Bwindi National Park.  Upon our arrival, we had a quick dinner and got ready for bed so we would be fully rested to track the endangered mountain gorillas of Uganda.

We were planning to enter Lake Mburo National Park to see the zebras; however, the zebras were waiting for us outside the park entrance along the highway.

Ishasha - Home of the tree-climbing lions.  After several hours of driving around looking for lions in fig trees, I began to wonder if tree-climbing lions was just another term for snipes.

Our lodging in Bwindi



We stayed in the "Gorilla" banda - how appropriate



                After eating breakfast and being briefed of what to expect upon encountering the gorillas, we were ready to begin our game of hide and seek with the gorillas.  When I saw that the majority of the other trackers were middle-aged Westerners, I assumed that I would have no problem with the ensuing hike.  I was dead wrong.  We immediately began hiking straight up the mountain, testing my endurance and fitness.  No other hike I have been on has been steeper - unless you count my rock climbing sessions.  Also, I have never been responsible for cutting through the dense plants to make my way up the mountain.  The combination of these factors made for the most adventurous hike of my life.  Needless to say, I loved it.  After hiking for nearly four hours, we arrived at a relatively flat space, left our bags, and were led to the gorillas.

Mzungu, Bye!  Have a nice hike!

Before we began our ascent up the mountain

These bananas will be used to make waragi, a type of Ugandan gin

Beginning our hike on a well-maintained trail.  Still thinking it would be pretty easy.



Where did the path go?

BABY GORILLA!  I think this one was my favorite.

The silverback - he was huge!  Definitely wouldn't want to make him mad...

Wrestling

These ones kind of look like midget stuffed animals wrestling

The little guy is swinging from the vines

This is how far you are supposed to stay from the gorillas

This is how far we actually were from the gorillas

Although gorilla tracking is by far the most expensive excursion in Uganda (costing $500 for a day permit); for the girl whose pharmacy school personal statement compared her life to the Denver Gorilla Run - which involves dressing as a gorilla and running a 10k in order to raise money for the mountain gorillas in Uganda - I think the cost was justified.

Courtesy of Kara Lombardi - nice shot!



Receiving our Gorilla Tracking Certificates from our guide



            In order to maintain a semi-normal life for the habituated gorillas, tourists are only allotted one hour each day with the gorillas.  At the end of the hour, Kara and I were both sad to say goodbye to the gorillas; however, our adventure was not quite over.  As we were driving back to Kampala the next day, we again tried our luck at finding the tree-climbing lions.  This time we were a little more successful.  John, our driver, finally spotted a lion nearly 200 yards away.  Because there is about a $50 fine for driving off the track, we first listened for approaching cars.  Having heard none, we quickly made our way across the tall grass until we were 15 yards from the lion.

Notice the lion in the tree - John probably shouldn't have been out of the car at this point...

Isn't she beautiful?

Booking it back to the track before we were fined

Colobus monkeys just outside of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Perfect spot to view the herd of elephants - surprisingly, they are one of the most dangerous animals you can encounter while on safari

The herd of elephants we passed on the highway on our way home