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Last Updated 11th September 2026
When you hear the words ‘African safari’, an emerald jungle is probably not the first image that comes to mind. But if you ask Aimee, she’ll change your mind.
From how tough Uganda’s famous Gorilla Trek actually is to all her favourite moments in between, we’re spilling the travel tea. Find the full story below.
The gorillas, 100%.
I’d heard about this trek before through other people that I knew, and I was just really in awe of all their photos and the content that they got. My friends were describing it as very green and luscious, the landscapes looking incredible…
When I first heard about it, I didn’t even realise it was a thing. So I asked if we could add this trip to Adventure360, because I really wanted to do it! And I was already planning to visit one of our Ghana volunteering projects, so I was like, “Oh, I can tie this into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
I would love to say that I was more prepared for this trip. But I wasn’t. I was very much inspired, but I kind of booked the trip and then thought about it afterwards.
People who want to go always ask me if the Gorilla Trek is hard. I think that’s something people get worried about, thinking that you need to do a lot of preparation for the hike.
I didn’t. Neither did anyone on the trip. The local rangers ask you at the beginning if you’re an avid hiker or if you’re not. So they split you up into more active groups, or groups that see gorilla families that are closer by. Or if you’re in the middle, then there are middle groups too.
So I wasn’t super prepared. But I did obviously use all the packing lists. Made sure I had my stuff in advance, but I think I booked the tour maybe a month or two months beforehand.
Well, I think one thing that’s really interesting about this tour, particularly, is that it’s a camping trip.
You camp in these durable tents that are provided for you. Then you just have to bring your own sleeping bag. But you can upgrade at pretty much every location, and it wasn’t that expensive, so some people upgraded to rooms the whole time.
I liked my tent, so I stayed there except on the last day I decided to upgrade. Treat myself to a £9 room!
Anyway, people might think that because you’re camping, you’re tired. And you’re getting up early, so does that make the trek harder? But genuinely, the adrenaline you get, it’s not tiring!
Everyone’s just so excited to go. There was not one person who probably slept a wink that day of the trek, because they were so thrilled that this was gonna be their experience.
But then it’s called the Impenetrable Forest. And it’s the densest thing I’ve ever seen. There are no pathways because it just keeps on growing back, so the rangers help guide you through. They’ve done it like thousands of times.
It was so luscious and green. Crazy perfect for gorillas.
The trek itself wasn’t difficult. You can also have a porter with you to carry your bag. Some people in my group had porters, and they can hold your hand if you go to any difficult spots.
I cried. I’m gonna cry now. They’re just… From my experience with them, they’re such peaceful, calming, human-like creatures. They have hands. They have communication methods. And when we walked nearby, you could just hear them farting.
The younger ones that were around teenage age were playing around, and the mums were telling them off. It was very much a human-like interaction. I don’t think I was expecting that.
They were so big. And so powerful, but also so gentle and giant-like. There was a silverback in the family that we went to go and see. He just had the biggest, chunky little head, and he didn’t face us the whole time. He literally had his back to us, and that felt very intentional, as if he was saying, “I’m not interested in you guys. I’m watching my family.”
On the walk back, everyone was just smiling from ear to ear. We were so happy with what we had just witnessed. And we were so excited to go and speak with other groups, to share our gorilla experiences, if they saw any babies… We saw some babies in our gorilla family. They were just like sweet little beans.
Yeah, it was quite close. You’re not meant to get too near. But they creep up on you, and you almost don’t realise it… Then suddenly, there’s a gorilla over there right next to you.
Apparently the gorilla families recognise the rangers who go to see them often. All the families have different names. I still have my certificate from visiting. So cute.
They were incredible. They’re so genuinely passionate about conservation and protection for the gorillas. Some of them have been working there for 20 years or so.
The rangers were just so knowledgeable and so happy to answer any questions. They were wondering how we found out about this trip. If someone was struggling on the trek, they would wait.
They were very different! It was a slightly harder trek, but I think with the gorillas, we were so tunnel-visioned on just going to find the family.
Whereas when we saw the chimpanzees, we saw so much. Loads of different types of ants. Snails, like big snails. And we went through all these beautiful tea fields, because there’s a lot of tea grown in Uganda. So it was cool to see all the leaves.
The chimpanzees were up in the trees, so we all huddled around one person’s pair of binoculars. I was so annoyed at myself for not bringing my own.
And then one of the chimps started throwing poo at us! So that was our signal to go.
It’s gotta be the gorillas. I’m just remembering that morning of the Gorilla Trek, with this crazy fog across the horizon, and then you see all these green, rolling hills. I don’t know how to describe it other than it was stunning.
In Uganda, we visited AidChild's Café & Gallery. That was the most incredible Positive Impact project I’ve ever witnessed. It still brings a tear to my eye.
The people who created it were essentially looking after kids who had been affected directly by AIDS or HIV.
The guy who was speaking had been at the organisation for a really long time. His talk was really moving. Going to visit a project like this and realising how much a group of people spending money at the shop directly supports it and keeps it going.
I bought so much there. I literally went home with half the shop. The coffee was awesome too.
By themselves, the AidChild's Café & Gallery is such an incredible organisation that has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of people for years and years.
I’d bring binoculars. I’d spend more money at the AID cafe… I would so love to do this trip again. But I would want to go with a friend, because I want to watch someone who I love experience it all for the first time.
I also really wish I’d extended it! This trip has a Kenya section before, and the photos looked incredible.
Oh, and maybe I’d do whitewater rafting. There was an optional day on the River Nile, known for adventurous activities (Author’s Note: Sounds like our kind of place! 💚)
So I opted for a super chilled day of floating down the River Nile. They bring you the national beer, which is called the Nile Special. So you’re drinking Niles on the Nile!
Actually, it was so much fun. But maybe next time I’d try whitewater rafting.
The food! As a vegan traveller, Uganda was really good. I loved this peanut stew so much that I always cook it at home now.
But also, the people in Uganda are amazing. Everyone was so friendly, so kind and passionate. I feel like in the UK, sometimes people can be quite closed off. But in Uganda, people wanted to share their story with you, and wanted to hear yours too.
Feeling inspired to go gorilla trekking? Me too! You can find this adventure below. Or if you have any more questions, get in touch with our friendly travel experts today.
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Mountain gorillas, the Nile and National Parks in East Africa's hidden gem
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