Greg and Jamie are Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi

Among the many species on our planet there are those that hold a nature and characteristics so distinct we are entirely captivated by them. The mountain gorilla is one of those creatures. The largest of all primates, these gentle giants have for many years teetered on the edge of extinction; their survival one of conservations greatest struggles, but hopefully, in time, one of its great success stories.

While remaining critically endangered, mountain gorillas can be visited in the wild, with the money driven into the economy from gorilla based tourism, in part at least, poured back into conservation efforts to boost their numbers and retain their habitat. To witness mountain gorilla interaction in the wild is to experience the evanescence of our reality into a lost world, enclosed in the thick jungles of Uganda and Rwanda and ruled by the mighty silverback.

Mahlatinis Greg and Jamie are currently in Uganda, preparing to trek the steep and slippery slopes of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in search of these elusive creatures. It can take hours to find one of the habituated groups, even with an expert guide leading the way. However, once found you have the chance to observe the group's interactions and take a picture or two for memory's sake. While gorilla tracking is a big part of this kind of holiday not all day can be spent tracking gorillas, and the need for a comfortable place to relax is called for.

Greg and Jamie are presently enjoying the hospitality of Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, one of the more remote and certainly atmospheric camps in the area. Owned by prestigious Sanctuary Retreats, the camp is luxurious in its prime location; atop a high ridge in the forest, and is often frequented by the gorillas. Featuring only 8 tents in total, they are spacious accommodation with huge bathtubs to soak in after a hard day spent trekking and providing incredible views of the jungle canopy.

Aside from being home to around half the world's population of mountain gorillas, Bwindi possesses a diverse range of wildlife, from 90 mammal species to 350 species of bird, the forests biodiversity is rich, as is the experience of being there yourself. Greg and Jamie return from their trip in two weeks' time, so watch out for their experiences in a blog coming soon and join in the adventure.