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.

The canopy walk in Nyungwe park, in Rwanda

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 tent on the water at Magashi Camp

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 near Magashi Camp

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.

Rwandan designer Moise Turahirwa in their creative studio in Kigali

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.

A woman working in a textile factory in Kigali

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 walkway on the grounds of One&Only Gorillas Nest

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 looking at a skeleton display at the Dian Fossy Ellen Degeneres Camp

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

A suite at Singita Kwitonda camp.Courtesy of Singita

A gorilla in the Sabinyo family at Volcanoes National Park

A gorilla in the Sabinyo family at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.Ross Couper/Courtesy of Singita