Bwindi, Uganda – British actress Maisie Williams has visited Uganda’s renowned Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, trekking through dense rainforest to observe endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The star, widely known for her role as Arya Stark in the hit TV series Game of Thrones, visited as a global ambassador for the World Wide Fund for Nature, accompanied by conservation experts and a media team.
Bwindi is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, whose population has gradually recovered from fewer than 400 individuals in the 1980s to over 1,000 today, largely due to sustained conservation efforts.
Reflecting on her experience, Williams described the encounter as deeply moving and humbling.
“Seeing mountain gorillas for the first time was quite confronting… we are in their home, and they hold the power,” she said.
Among the rare moments she witnessed was a silverback gorilla carrying its young—an experience she described as “once-in-a-lifetime.”
The actress also praised Uganda’s model of ethical tourism, noting that gorilla trekking permits—costing around £600—directly support anti-poaching initiatives and community development projects.
Conservationists say this approach has played a crucial role in protecting the species while generating income for local communities.
Williams is now using her platform to promote the “Adopt a Gorilla” initiative, a conservation programme aimed at strengthening long-term protection efforts by linking environmental preservation with community support.
Her visit adds to a growing list of international figures spotlighting Uganda as a key destination for eco-tourism and conservation, with Bwindi remaining one of the country’s most iconic natural attractions.
The renewed global attention is expected to boost Uganda’s tourism sector further while reinforcing awareness of the importance of protecting endangered wildlife.