Israeli Photographers Capture Rare Gorilla Behavior and Nile Proposal in Uganda
Israeli wildlife photographer Matan Sharon led an expedition to Uganda, capturing rare mountain gorilla behavior in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, shoebills at Mabamba, and a surprise proposal on the Nile.
Uganda, known as the Pearl of Africa, offers a rich and diverse ecosystem thanks to its unique combination of tropical rainforests, vast savannas, and great lakes. Famous worldwide as home to half of the global mountain gorilla population, the country also shelters chimpanzees, elephants, hippos, a wealth of bird species, and diverse wildlife. Driven by a passion to immerse themselves in this natural wonder, a delegation organized by MW Photo Tours and led by Israeli wildlife photographer Matan Sharon embarked on an extraordinary expedition.
Encounters in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The expedition's core objective was a face-to-encounters with mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in one of the world's wildest and most fascinating regions: the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a stunning high-altitude mountainous area surrounded by green tea plantations and eucalyptus trees. The name Bwindi means a place of darkness in the local language, perfectly describing the dense forest canopy that blocks out the sun's rays.
After a morning briefing, the group set off on a challenging and steep trek up the mountain, accompanied by a local crew of 13, including armed rangers, Uganda Wildlife Authority wardens, spotters, and porters. After roughly four and a half hours of walking through thick tropical vegetation, the long-awaited contact was made with the Habinyanja gorilla family, led by a silverback male named Kaboyo.
A Rare and Unusual Phenomenon
Beyond the emotional meeting, a fascinating and relatively rare event occurred. The family members descended together to a flowing stream bed, crossed the water, and stopped to drink directly from the current.
"It is well known that mountain gorillas receive all the hydration their bodies need from a diet rich in leaves, succulent grasses, and moist stems, and therefore do not routinely drink open water," Sharon explains.
Famed American primatologist Dian Fossey documented in her research that gorillas generally shun direct contact with running water and almost never drink from streams. Thus, observing Kaboyo and his family drinking from the river was a rare and thrilling sight of exceptional behavior.
The expedition team included Nofar Miron, Amir Hakkikian, Nati Diamant, Gil Bachar, Max Bichovsky, and Amit Meir, all of whom joined fully prepared for the physical demands of the rugged terrain, characteristic of Matan's photography-focused tours.
From Mabamba Swamps to Murchison Falls
The journey, conducted in cooperation with Magma Nature Tours, began at the Mabamba Swamps near Entebbe. A quiet boat ride through dense papyrus beds led to a direct encounter with the shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), a unique prehistoric waterbird resembling a dinosaur from another world. The expedition later flew to the Kazinga Channel, witnessing large pods of cooling hippos, elephants bathing, and Nile crocodiles basking in the sun.
Following the Bwindi trek, the group explored Kibale Forest, the natural habitat of chimpanzees. Deep in the forest, a mature male chimpanzee sat alone on the ground acting as a territorial sentry while the rest of the troop fed on fruit high in the canopy. The journey concluded at Murchison Falls National Park, where the mighty Nile River squeezes through a narrow 7-meter rock gorge before plunging violently into a churning pool.
A Romantic Proposal on the Nile
Alongside wild animal encounters, the most emotional moment of the entire journey took place on the banks of the Nile. Toward sunset, against the backdrop of the flowing water and natural silence, Amir surprised Nofar with a moving marriage proposal, turning the evening into a joyful celebration shared by the entire group.
