No pain, no gain: Trekking ‘Impenetrable’ forest to see mountain gorillas
No pain, no gain: Trekking 'Impenetrable' forest to see mountain gorillas —
CNN's Zain Verjee trekked through Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in search of its mountain gorillas.
Antonia Mortensen/CNN
No pain, no gain: Trekking 'Impenetrable' forest to see mountain gorillas —
The name "Impenetrable" proved apt, as she struggled through the dense undergrowth.
Antonia Mortensen/CNN
No pain, no gain: Trekking 'Impenetrable' forest to see mountain gorillas —
Three hours of grueling walking took her to a group of the endangered gorillas.
Antonia Mortensen/CNN
No pain, no gain: Trekking 'Impenetrable' forest to see mountain gorillas —
"When I lifted my eyes I saw a giant gorilla munching shoots and leaves, and then nonchalantly striding by," she says.
Antonia Mortensen/CNN
No pain, no gain: Trekking 'Impenetrable' forest to see mountain gorillas —
"I observed gorillas' powerful arms, elegant posture, and occasional eye contact made me feel connected."
Antonia Mortensen/CNN
No pain, no gain: Trekking 'Impenetrable' forest to see mountain gorillas —
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park covers 32,000 hectares and is known for its exceptional biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns.
Antonia Mortensen/CNN
No pain, no gain: Trekking 'Impenetrable' forest to see mountain gorillas —
The trip proved an unforgettable experience: "Immersed in [the gorillas'] world ... I forgot my complex world."