Which wild animal shares 98% of our DNA — and how do you get up close with them in the wild? In Episode 11 of Africa Revealed, Dr. Matt Jensen takes you deep into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of southwestern Uganda for one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on earth: gorilla trekking.
In this episode:
🦍 Why mountain gorillas share 98% of our DNA — and what that looks like up close
🌿 The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest: home to over 1,000 remaining mountain gorillas
📖 The history of the Batwa people and how conservation changed their world
🎟️ How gorilla trekking permits work — and why a sighting is actually guaranteed
🥾 What the trek is really like: from 1 hour to 5 hours through thick mountain forest
😮 Dr. Matt's personal encounters — including the gorilla that knocked him off his feet
If gorilla trekking isn't already on your bucket list, it will be after this episode.
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro: Which animal shares 98% of our DNA?
1:55 - Introducing the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
2:37 - Mountain gorillas vs. lowland gorillas
3:20 - Only 1,000 mountain gorillas left — the conservation effort
4:06 - Why human interaction actually helps gorilla survival
5:05 - Gorilla families and the sectors of Bwindi
6:07 - The history of the Batwa people and the national park
9:00 - How habituating gorillas to humans works
12:30 - How permits work and why a sighting is guaranteed
15:29 - What to expect on the day of your trek
17:14 - The trekking experience — and how strenuous it can get
18:08 - Dr. Matt's personal gorilla encounters
20:29 - Baby gorillas, chimp trekking & Uganda as the primate capital of the world
21:48 - Why your permit is a conservation donation
22:19 - Closing thoughts
RESOURCES
Plan your safari: tapestryofafrica.com
Dental Outreach Relief Foundation: dentaloutreachrelieffoundation.com
Instagram: @tapestryofafrica
TikTok: @tapestryofafrica
Subscribe for new episodes every week.
#GorillaTrekking #Uganda #BwindiImpenetrableForest #MountainGorillas #EastAfricaSafari #AfricaRevealed #TapestryOfAfrica #DrMattJensen #UgandaSafari #WildlifeConservation