Category: Personal Blogs
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Holiday Mode Problem
33mm, f5.0, 1/400s, ISO125 I once showed up for a Gorilla Highlands Press Trip a bit bruised and bloodied, having been knocked down by drunk football fans in a half-hearted robbery attempt in Kampala the evening before. Seemingly completely random and opportunistic, this remains the only such experience I have had in over ten years…
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Not Many Nowheres
61mm, f/8.0, 1/320s, ISO100 With this image we are opening the theme of Staying Safe and Healthy, following Regional Attractions that ended last week. When people think of going deep into Africa, they sometimes have concerns about being “in the middle of nowhere” — but the truth is, there aren’t quite as many “nowheres” as…
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Lake Life
24mm, f/6,3, 1/320s, ISO125 The Gorilla Highlands region is a land of lakes, and no visit here is complete without a bit of canoeing. This was how I was first introduced to this part of Africa, way back in 2012, though this photo is from a few years later. The canoeing itself is fun (albeit…
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Safari Time!
600mm, f/5, 1/640s, ISO160 Few people travel to the Gorilla Highlands region to go on safaris that don’t involve gorillas or chimpanzees, but maybe you should? This week we are presenting some truly excellent savannah destinations within a stone’s throw of those primates, so why not take the time to enjoy them? Two national parks…
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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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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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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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