Nils Lindhorst
Travel Designer
My name is Nils Lindhorst, and I am your contact person for the gorilla countries Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at Take Memories. My enthusiasm for Africa goes back to my childhood and is closely connected to my work for Safari Memories in Tanzania and Kenya. Since my first trip to Uganda in 2014 and to Rwanda in 2016, I have been on-site repeatedly, both professionally and privately, to check lodges, get to know guides, and experience the region anew each time.
Rwanda and Uganda offer everything that makes for a great safari – from the Big Five to spectacular landscapes. But their true uniqueness lies in the encounters with our closest relatives: mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys. Those who meet them in their natural habitat take home far more than just memories – rather moments full of awe and connection that will last a lifetime.
On my bucket list
Uganda off the beaten path
At the top of my list is a route off the classic paths: from Jinja, where the Nile starts, through Pian Upe and Moroto, where I look forward to particularly authentic cultural encounters with the Karamojong, further into Kidepo Valley National Park and finally to Murchison Falls, before heading back to Entebbe. We also try to develop such unconventional routes for our guests, and this one is one I definitely want to experience myself.
UgandaNext trip
Odzala National Park, Republic of Congo
For me personally, there is a special goal in 2027 – Odzala National Park in the Republic of Congo, one of the oldest national parks in Africa with around 13,500 square kilometers, more than twice the size of the Everglades in Florida. In addition to the Western lowland gorillas, a distinct subspecies of the mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, and hippos also live here. There are only three private lodges that can accommodate a maximum of twelve guests at once – making one of the very few visitors on-site. The route there for me leads through the capital Brazzaville, which is also known for the Sapeurs.
Republic of CongoAbout Nils – How the gorilla countries captured my heart
My fascination for gorillas did not begin in Africa, but as a teenager with a book: "Gorillas in the Mist" by Dian Fossey, who researched the mountain gorillas for years in what is now Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Her story triggered something in me that still resonates today – the desire to see these animals for myself in their natural habitat. In 2014, this finally became my first trip to Uganda.
Since then, I have not been able to let go of the region. What captivates me about the gorilla countries is the density of unique primate experiences: in addition to the gorilla tracking itself, there are encounters with chimpanzees, golden monkey experiences in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and in Uganda, the so-called habituation experiences, where one gets to accompany gorilla families over a longer period of time. Rwanda itself has also repeatedly engaged my professional interest, not least because Kigali is considered one of the safest capitals in Africa.
What moves me the most: Every visit directly contributes to the protection of the gorillas and other primates. One does not travel here only for oneself, but becomes part of a success story in conservation. I would like to share this enthusiasm with you, so that your journey to the gorilla countries becomes an unforgettable experience.
Places that particularly inspire me
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
The gorilla tracking in Bwindi was the absolute highlight of my first trip. I was allowed to spend an hour with a gorilla family, observing their daily life, the various females, and even two small baby gorillas. I particularly remember a female that walked directly past me with what felt like a fifteen-centimeter distance – the ranger later explained to us that the animal had previously asked the silverback for permission to pass so close to us. This kind of communication within the group, which one suddenly experiences up close, makes Bwindi a place I will never forget.
Kibale National Park, Uganda
In addition to the animals, it is often the encounter with people that makes a trip truly special. Near Kibale, I spent a whole day with a local family, cooking together and talking about God and the world. Especially since on African trips the focus so often lies on animals and landscapes, this day has remained particularly memorable for me – an insight into the everyday life of the people on-site that one can easily miss during a pure nature experience.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda
An experience that has stayed with me for a long time: searching for rhinos on foot, accompanied by rangers, until we were about twenty to thirty meters away from the animals. The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the most successful rhino reintroduction programs in Africa. The significance of this work only became clear to me years later, as this year the first rhinos were relocated from there to Kidepo Valley National Park – the first return of the animals to a Ugandan national park in over forty years.
Kigali, Rwanda
Kigali impressed me in a completely different way: a modern, clean, and exceptionally livable capital – and at the same time, a place where history remains present. The visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial deeply moved me. Understanding how the country lived reconciliation after 1994 and has developed so much in just a few decades fundamentally changes the view of Rwanda. But Kigali is far more than its history: art galleries like the Inema Arts Center, vibrant markets like the Kimironko Market, and a growing restaurant scene make the city a place where one likes to stay longer.
Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda
Nyungwe is one of the oldest mountain rainforests in Africa – and feels that way too. Since the park is quite remote in the south of the country, it is still overlooked by many travelers, which I find unfair. Following the calls of the chimpanzees early in the morning and later observing them in the dense forest was a special moment for me. Additionally, there is the enormous biodiversity: huge tree ferns, countless species of birds and orchids – a forest that is palpably alive.
Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
The Volcanoes National Park is one of the most impressive places in Africa for me. The mountain gorillas are, of course, the reason why most guests come here – but it is almost the golden monkeys that have left a greater impression on me. While the gorillas radiate calm and serenity, the golden monkeys are their exact opposite: full of energy, in constant motion, playfully jumping through the bamboo forest. The fact that both species are at home in the same volcanic landscape makes a visit here so special for me.