A fearless explorer has come face-to-face with a huge silverback gorilla while embarking on a dangerous expedition through the Congo Basin.
Ash Dykes is currently undertaking a gruelling 434-mile journey down the Sangha River in Central Africa.
The 35-year-old adventurer is navigating one of the world’s most remote and challenging landscapes, using inflatable rafts, ration packs and camping along the river.
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He’ll spend one month in the wilderness, according to Need To Know.
Ash’s expedition is taking him along the Sangha River, which winds through the Congo Basin, a vast region of tropical rainforest spanning several countries in Central Africa.
One of his most extraordinary encounters so far has seen him come just five metres away from a silverback gorilla in the heart of the jungle.
In a video shared on TikTok, the professional explorer and extreme athlete, from London, can be heard calmly announcing: “Silverback gorilla, right here”.
The footage shows the enormous animal in its natural habitat, completely unaware of Ash’s presence.
Ash revealed in the caption that he and his team had spent around two hours tracking the gorillas.
The incredible footage has since racked up more than 4.5million views, with viewers left stunned.
One commenter said: “This is the animal that can beat 100 men?”.
Someone else said: “The happiest person I’ve ever seen in the shadow of death.”
A third person added: “My son comes from school every day asking ‘Is the Congo Basin guy still alive?’”.
Someone else said: “See how quiet he’s talking?
“My stomach would’ve started rumbling loud as f*ck for no reason and we would’ve been caught by the gorilla”.
A fifth viewer added: “Are gorillas dangerous animals?
“Hopefully they don’t attack human beings”.
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