From the moment we touched down in Kigali, Rwanda, at the ungodly hour of 2 AM, we knew this wasn't going to be just any trip. Met by the incredibly welcoming Living and Adam from Nyumbu Journeys, we were whisked away to the semi-comfortable embrace of the Five to Five Hotel. This was the start of an adventure that would leave us breathless, inspired, and with memories to last a lifetime.

After a much-needed, albeit simple, breakfast, our adventure truly began. We headed straight to the highly anticipated Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming ceremony. This year marked its 20th anniversary, and the atmosphere was electric – a huge, vibrant party celebrating conservation and new life!

Later that day, we crossed the border into Uganda, where tranquility awaited us at the stunning Gorilla Leisure Lodge. The lodge was an oasis of calm, providing the perfect setting for a delicious dinner, followed by what was arguably the best night's sleep I've had in ages. Pure bliss!

Saturday morning brought an early start, brimming with anticipation. We drove to the starting point of our gorilla trek, where we were greeted with a lively welcome dance that set the adventurous tone for the day.

We were organized into small groups of about eight, each accompanied by a knowledgeable guide and two security personnel – ensuring both our safety and an intimate experience.

A short 20-minute drive took us past a small village, where we picked up two wonderful female porters. For a mere $20 USD each, these incredible women not only carried our belongings but also provided invaluable support and cheer along the way. I highly recommend hiring porters – it's a fantastic way to support the local community and make your trek much more enjoyable!

The initial hour of the trek was mostly uphill, a good workout amidst the lush forest. We then paused for about 45 minutes, waiting patiently for a call from the trackers who would pinpoint the exact location of our assigned gorilla family. The anticipation was almost unbearable!

When the call finally came, we were off again, trekking mostly downhill (much to our relief!) for another 30 minutes. And then, there they were. Our breath was truly taken away. The gorilla family was incredibly comfortable with our presence, their playful antics and gentle interactions mesmerising us completely.

We were incredibly close, capturing what felt like a million videos and photos, including an adorable month-old baby gorilla. That hour flew by in a blur of wonder.

The trek out was easy, but the surprises weren't over! Nyumbu had arranged a delightful post-trek celebration with champagne, beers, and snacks. It was the perfect way to toast to an extraordinary experience and the incredible work being done to protect these magnificent creatures.

After a brief overnight stop at Sharp Island, we crossed back into Rwanda. Our final stop before heading to the airport for our flight home to Addis Ababa was the sobering yet essential Genocide Memorial Memorial.