Immersing yourself in pristine wilderness doesn’t need to be a romantic fantasy. You can take the plunge too, inspired by this episode’s guest, Patrick Westöö. A Swedish business development expert and a seasoned traveller, Patrick has an intriguing way of getting to know our planet. He makes abrupt destination choices but then spends a long period of time in untouched nature, seeking a deep connection with the place. We talk about Patrick’s fondness for old-growth woods, his extensive exploration of Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park and the largely unknown side of the dormant Mt Sabyinyo volcano. Will we give you a push for a similar adventure of your own?
HOSTS
Joe Kahiri is a Ugandan recording and performing artist and the founder of Qwela, a top Afro-fusion band. Passionate about creating a positive shift in mindset through artistic creation, he resides in Kabale (Uganda). Kahiri’s articles: https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/author/kahiri/
Miha “Rwebandira” Logar is an adventure/cultural tourism expert, podcaster and lecturer. A Gorilla Highlands co-founder, he is an Ugandan/Slovenian national who resides in Musanze (Rwanda). Miha’s articles: https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/author/admin/
OTHER TEAM MEMBERS
Allen Arinda is the Gorilla Highlands lady specialised in bookings and guest relations. She studies tourism and hospitality in Kigali (Rwanda). Allen’s articles: https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/author/allen/
BRIEF YET SPECIAL VOICES IN THE EPISODE
Jon Lee, the Voice of Santa Barbara: https://experts.gorillahighlands.com/daily-dose/author/jon/
Omugurusi Festo Karwemera, our Patron Saint: https://gorillahighlands.com/karwemera/
🖋️ text by:
Jens De Pauw was the SEE AFRICA BREATHE AFRICA editor in 2023, sent to do a 6-month Gorilla Highlands internship by UCLL in Belgium. He lost his heart to the region and keeps coming back, or at least tries to convince others to visit. Jens advocates for a more just world by working for several Belgian NGOs and spends his free time running, hiking and cycling from a small village near Brussels, EU. [bio updated: 2026-03]
📸 photography by:
Marcus Westberg is a multiple award-winning photographer and writer from Sweden whose work — covering conservation, wildlife and travel — appears regularly in several global publications. He has made several trips to our region specifically to volunteer for Gorilla Highlands Experts. When not globetrotting, Marcus lives with his wife and daughter close to Lisbon, Portugal. Click for our interview with Marcus. [bio updated: 2026-03]
🎤 voice by:
Allen Arinda was the first Gorilla Highlands Experts office staff (2022-2024), specialised in bookings and guest relations. Allen is about to finish her business management Bachelor’s degree in Kigali, Rwanda. Click for Allen’s background story. [bio updated: 2026-02]
Joe Kahiri, a former SEE AFRICA BREATHE AFRICA host, is a Ugandan actor, recording and performing artist, and the founder of Qwela, a top Afro-fusion band. Passionate about creating a positive shift in mindset through artistic creation, he lives between Kabale and Kampala, Uganda. [bio updated: 2026-03]
Jon “Oruhindu” Lee is the legendary narrator of Gorilla Highlands Experts videos and the former grammar guru of the organisations blogs. His English teacher and TV commentator careers prepared him for this role well, but he is also a tomato grower, volleyball coach and writer. When he isn’t visiting our region, he lives in Santa Barbara, California. [bio updated: 2026-03]
ML Rwebandira — formerly known as Miha Logar — is an adventure and cultural tourism expert, writer and multimedia producer who co-founded Gorilla Highlands Experts. His most recent publication is the Pocket Treasure. A national of both Uganda and Slovenia, ML resides with his son Lan in Musanze, Rwanda. Click for his personality-infused quarterly newsletters. [bio updated: 2026-05]
Patrick Westöö is obsessed with untouched old growth forests. He came to Rwanda in 2023 to add an African chapter to the book he is writing — about the human relationship with wilderness and the politics of it. He is now dreaming about coming back to our region to add Uganda’s Rwenzoris. When not globetrotting, Patrick works in the tech industry of Stockholm, Sweden. [bio updated: 2026-05]