Category: Our People
Our Stories:
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Little-Known Hiking Overnights in Southwestern Uganda
I am Levi Ayebare, 28, and I have been working with Gorilla Highlands Experts on the Ugandan side of the region as a tecnico. This means that I am providing technical support to hiking groups on the Gorilla Highlands Trails. I take care of setting up camps, allowing tired trekkers to hit the mattresses as…
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Slow and Sweaty Travel
24mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO800 This week I have the (dis)pleasure of introducing the next level of our August theme, the regional attractions — hiking! I have a love-hate relationship with it. When I’m slogging my way up a particularly tough mountain, cameras and other equipment weighing way too much for my comfort, I do tend…
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We Were Ready for a Gorilla Battle
Members of the Gorilla Highlands Experts global community, something special happened in Uganda’s Bwindi today! Something that I really need to share with you … I have been a ranger for 12 years, taking visitors to gorillas in both Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks — and yet I had never seen anything like that! You…
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How Working in Kahuzi-Biega National Park Works
In yesterday’s photography moment Marcus called my place of work, Kahuzi-Beiga National Park, the most “off-the-beaten-track” place to do gorilla tracking … He is not wrong, and I can think of two reasons for that: It is my job to put the park onto the map, so I’m glad to be your Gorilla Highlands Expert…
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Never Gets Old
70mm, f/5, 1/250s, ISO400 As much as we try to focus on highlights, attractions and activities other than gorilla tracking, this remains — undeniably and deservedly — the region’s top drawcard. I am fortunate enough to have lost count of the number of occasions I have been out with gorillas. My first time wasn’t exactly conventional.…
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Unripe Berries: Alarms for Coffee Farms
On any given morning, when travelling through the areas surrounding the Virunga volcanoes, one may be forgiven for thinking that all is well in this beautiful countryside. In the distance the rolling hills are covered with lush green forests with clouds moving along the tree tops. Colourful birds and fascinating insects buzz and zoom with…
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Congo Sunrise
20mm, f/8, 1/50s, ISO100 One of the reasons I enjoy immersive travel so much is that it’s too easy to miss out on powerful experiences if your trip mainly focuses on “highlights”. I am almost always up before sunrise, no matter what, because … well, why would I want to be asleep when a new day begins?…
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From Haggling at West African Markets to Global Food Innovations
Dear members, you haven’t heard from me for some time — and that was because I was absent and overwhelmed! I did not expect to be going to West Africa abruptly, but that is what happened! When I presented my life story to you, I noted my stint at the Sheraton Hotel in Conakry, Guinea.…
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The Charm
200mm, f/2,8, 1/400s, ISO1600 Though gorillas and chimpanzees understandably receive most of the spotlight, the Virungas have some other interesting primate inhabitants too. Among these is the golden monkey (Cercopithecus kandti), found in all three countries. They are endemic to the Gorilla Highlands region, living in the bamboo forests found along the mountains. Because of…
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