UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

From mountain gorillas to river giants, an up-close encounter with Africa's wild heart.

- By Premala de Mel

A journey through Rwanda and Uganda brings wildlife enthusiasts face-to-face with some of Africa’s most remarkable creatures.

From the misty jungles of Bwindi, home to the rare mountain gorillas, to Kibale’s energetic chimpanzees, and the thundering waters of Murchison Falls, this expedition blends adventure, conservation, and cultural insight. Guided by expert rangers, travelers witness intricate animal behaviour, scenic rivers, and vulnerable species, experiencing both the majesty and fragility of East Africa’s ecosystems.

A group of wild life enthusiasts and I flew into Kigali, Rwanda with an organised tour by Classic Wild. We drove in Land Rovers to the Ugandan border.

Rwanda has a population of 13 million.

The country has made great strides economically, since its earlier upheavals and every month a day is designated for the citizens to clean their area. There are no high rises or tuk tuks. English and French are the principal languages and agriculture and tourism are some of the sources of revenue.

Uganda is landlocked and has a population of 46 million with 56 tribes and 5 kingdoms. However, the President is the head. Elections are to be held next year and the incumbent has been in power for forty years.

The main languages are English, French and Swahili. Education and Health care are not free and I saw a number of children not attending school. The country’s economy is agricultural with coffee, tea, cotton and other crops. Christianity is the major religion followed by Islam and traditional tribal practices.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south west was our next stop to see the Muyambi mountain gorilla family assigned to us. We were entertained to a Masai dance by the ladies.