Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , Uganda ( CNN ) -- The forest was in charge . I knew it the moment I gazed at its dense green overcoat , searching for cracks of daylight in its chaotic folds . Inspiring in the morning kiss of gentle light rays ; sulky under a black afternoon cloud ; serene in the falling dusk , as the haze of twilight accentuated its mystery . I was in Uganda 's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park , part of a guided trek to see some of its 300 endangered mountain gorillas . The moment I stepped in I surrendered . It was humid and dark and the dense , feisty foliage that enveloped me was dismissive at times , taunting at others . All the trekkers were handed a tall narrow stick to help navigate through the slippery slopes . The moist leaves scattered on the soil demanded balance , stinging nettles and hiding holes urged utmost caution , centuries-old greenery wrapped its arms around me , challenging me to hack through the twisted vines and untested trails . It tripped me over again , slipping , sliding . I grit my teeth knowing the forest was forcing me to want the prize it hid in its shape-shifting bosom . The target : a group of eight gorillas , one silverback and his eight babes . Three sweltering hours that drew blood and inflicted bruises , yet I pushed on , realizing the forest would not give me something for nothing . One Olympic obstacle course after the other , crisp slices of machetes hacked the twines , daring the forest to dissuade us . Three hours of grueling walking scattered with hard landings . No matter how contorted I became , the forest kept a piece of itself handy to cling on to , a mini consolation prize hinting that it was , after all , on my side . I could almost hear its heaving chuckles as I disentangled myself from ropes of thorns . `` Keep going , '' the rangers called out as I felt the sweat dribble down my back . No matter how much I wanted out , I had to push on , because there was no way out without rangers slicing pathways through the wild bush . I received a painful sting from a large black creature with loud wings ; I ignored it and walked on with my muddy water-logged shoes , and the threat of rain . `` We 're here , '' the lead ranger whispered , stopping dead still and turning up the drama , punctuated by a light breeze that picked up along with a list of rules of gorilla engagement , which we absorbed . `` Stay seven meters away . '' `` If you want to cough or sneeze , turn away , you could infect them with your germs . '' `` One hour only . '' It was a rare 60 minutes , the shortest , the most fascinating . I lifted my eyes and there she was , a giant gorilla clinging onto a tree trunk , sucking the bark out of an apparently delicious eucalyptus tree , getting tipsy ; sitting in shade , munching shoots and leaves , and then nonchalantly striding by . I observed their powerful arms , elegant posture , and the occasional eye contact made me feel connected . They are intimidating and gentle , protective and patient , flirtatious and fearsome , at the same time . Protected by a hardcore ring of black backs , a mother nursed a three-week-old gorilla . It was a rare and moving sight . She hid her offspring under her belly , `` protection from vultures , '' we were told . Immersed in their world , listening to their language , the beat of their group , the simple raw reality of their lives and tribe , I forgot my complex world . Gallery : A bird's-eye view of the Savannah .
CNN 's Zain Verjee made a trip to Uganda to see giant mountain gorillas . She faced an arduous trek through the aptly named Bwindi Impenetrable National Park . The park is a home to some 300 of the endangered mountain gorillas .