Courtesy of One&Only
The battle-worn hippo trotted into the acacia trees, surprisingly light on its feet.
Poaching was left unchecked, meaning much of its native wildlife was also lost.
In 2015, lions were reintroduced, followed by rhinos in 2017.
Credit:Courtesy of One&Only
No other vehicles were around us.
Wilderness Magashi opened in May 2019; Magashi Peninsula, a four-suite companion property, is in development.
But our adventures took a more sartorial turn.
A guest tent along the water at Magashi Camp.Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris
As we left, I noticed block letters running above the cubbyholes.
They spelled out “Amazing Things Happen When You Try.”
Courtesy of The Legacy Untold
Are we sure this is a good idea?
Hippos peeking out of the water near Magashi Camp in Rwanda.Courtesy of Wilderness Safaris
And truth be told, I didnt want to go first.
Rivulets of sweat poured off my palms.
I exclaimed as I grabbed Rob and Bobbys hands on the other side.
Designer Moïse Turahirwa styling pieces in their studio in Kigali.Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Unlike mine, theirs were as cool as cucumbers.
They taught us how to sort the thick, healthy green leaves into giant baskets strapped onto our backs.
When nature is at your fingertips, a kids club is superfluous.
Courtesy of The Legacy Untold
Bobby was at the gorilla chat display, where you’re able to learn how the animals communicate.
The displays profiling Digit, one of Dian Fosseys favorites, had made quite an impression.
It was time for Dad and me to be alone, for a bit.
A guest room along the grounds of One&Only Gorilla’s Nest.Courtesy of One&Only
Due to park rules, we had only an hour in their presence.
It was go time.
Two juveniles spun in circles around a bamboo tree as the silverback came over to supervise.
Bobby taking in the skeleton display at the Dian Fossy Ellen Degeneres Camp.Courtesy of The Legacy Untold
Turns out, she was Kibyeyi: at 49, one of the oldest female gorillas in the park.
I made sure to tell Bobby all about her when I got back.
A suite at Singita Kwitonda camp.Courtesy of Singita
A gorilla in the Sabinyo family at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.Ross Couper/Courtesy of Singita