Volcanoes National Park Rwanda – Tryst With Gorillas in Africa

Volcanoes National Park

Gorilla in Rwanda, Africa

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda

I pushed aside the curtains of my luxurious room in the Serena Hotel that we had checked into the previous night. It was still dark, after all, it was just 4 AM. I felt a strange excitement rising in me and it took me a minute to realize its source. Today was to be the climax of our Rwanda Odyssey! We would be embarking on the trail of the Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Africa!

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, Africa

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda was about an hours drive from the Serena Hotel. We needed to be at the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda before 7 AM and hence were scheduled to leave the hotel by 5 AM. The excitement of the day was such that every one of the 20 member entourage was up and on time to board the bus, the hotel had considerately provided packed breakfast so that we did not embark on our adventure on empty stomachs.

Rwanda

The bus was off on time and as we cruised along at we were treated to some beautiful views of the inactive volcanic mountain, Mount Karisimbi. The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda houses in its fold 5 of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains. Apart from Mount Karisimbi, they are Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabinyo.

Rwanda

The drive across some of the most stunning landscapes of Rwanda was, to say the least, exhilarating. The emerald green pastures with the backdrop of the mountains seemed surreal in the early morning light. It seemed as if a giant painting had come to life in vivid colours.

Rwanda

We arrived at the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda reception centre,  well in time and trooped out of the bus full of anticipation.

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

The Volcanoes National Park reception centre itself was buzzing with activity, guides and rangers moved around smartly turned up in their khakis. A big circular enclosure served as a place to get some hot coffee or tea.

Afrcan Dancers at Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

In the lawns just beyond this circular enclosure, we were greeted by the hypnotic beats of African drums as local dancers swayed rhythmically to the mesmerising music. It was a riot of colours blending with pulsating music and tinged with the graceful movements of the dancers. The performance set the tone for the day and our heartbeats quickened in anticipation of the adventure ahead even as the drum beats enthralled us.

Very soon we were divided into groups based on fitness levels, interests and degree of difficulty of the treks. Five from our group were together for one of the more difficult of the treks in which we would be trekking to meet a Gorilla family deeper in the jungles of  Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

It is interesting to note that there are only 10 families of Gorillas that are accessible to visitors, the others are reserved for study and research purposes only in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. On a single day, only one group of visitors of a maximum of 8 members can visit one Gorilla family which means only 80 people are lucky to rendezvous with the Gorillas on any single day in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

This naturally means that you would need to plan and book well in advance. You need to get a Gorilla Permit to be able to do Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. All the formalities for the Gorilla trekking were taken care of efficiently by RDB (Rwanda Development Board) which is the apex organization that governs tourism in Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Parl

A big man with a broad smile greeted us and introduced himself as Oliver, he was our guide and would be leading us to the Ntambara family of Gorillas, deep in the jungles of the Virunga Volcanic Mountains in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. We milled excitedly around Oliver who quickly and professionally gave us a briefing of what lay in store for us. He explained that the family we were visiting included a baby Gorilla as well as a Silverback, an adult male Gorilla.

He explained that as the male gorilla ages, the hair on his back turns silver, and incredibly this is not the case for the female gorillas who retain their black colour throughout their life spans. Oliver also promised us to teach the nuances of the language used by Gorillas to communicate, later in the jungle.

And then we were off! A jeep took us across some bumpy terrain where we held on for dear life and our insides received the shake of their lives.

Volcanoes National ParkA drive of about half an hour and we reached our final pit stop from where we would begin our trek that would take us up into the mountains and deep into the jungles of the Virunga Mountains.

Trek in the jungles of the Virunga Mountains, Volcanoes National Park In Rwanda | Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

This is the place where you get off your vehicles and start walking. We were given walking sticks with handles shaped into small gorillas to help us on our trek. Time would prove the invaluable nature and contribution of these sticks to our trek. This is the place where one can hire porters at a fee of around 10$ depending on what help you would need from them. They can help by carrying your backpack or helping you negotiate the more perilous bends and curves on the trek.

Volcanoes National Park

We looked at the dirt road stretching in front of us and the mountains covered with a haze in the distance. We heaved a collective sigh as we thought about the Gorilla family that awaited us somewhere behind those mountains.

Volcanoes National Park

We started off by walking through some fields and were really wondering at the degree of difficulty of the trek, not aware what the immediate future held in store for us.

Volcanoes National Park

As we trudged on, we breathed the fresh mountain air which seemed like manna from heaven to our lungs more accustomed to the polluted air of urban centres.

Volcanoes National Park

We revelled in the beauty of nature that surrounded us and seemed to hug us in a mother’s embrace.

Volcanoes National Park

Soon we started huffing and panting, stopping to catch our breaths as we started climbing, in some places the climb was difficult and you had to cling on to a rock or a creeper to hoist your way up an almost vertical cliff.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda - Tryst With Gorillas in Africa

The weather conditions in the Virunga mountains are highly unpredictable. It can be sunny one moment and pouring cats and dogs in the next. We were lucky that apart from slight drizzling we were spared heavy rain, however, we witnessed the changing weather conditions starkly when we reached the top of one of the mountains and were met with a sheet of silvery mist and currents of chilled air which was so reminiscent of the weather in Switzerland.

Volcanoes National Park

We had been climbing steadily and all of us were out of breath and were wondering how far the Gorillas were when our guide Oliver, calmly announced that we were till now skirting the border of the forest and would be entering it now! A small ladder lay propped up against a stone wall and a forest ranger with an AK-47 stood menacingly, however, he was a sweet chap with a smile that would melt your heart.

So we clambered up the ladder onto the top of the wall, only to realize that there was another ladder on the other side of the wall and we needed to descend using it.

Volcanoes National Park

Mission ladder accomplished! We followed our guide deep into the forest. There were no discernible paths, the Rangers used machetes to cut a path across the thick vegetation that consisted of bamboos, wild grass growing to more than six feet and other wild forms of vegetations.

Touching one of the plants accidentally resulted in burning nettle stings on the hands. Elsewhere a couple of safari ants seemed to have taken a fancy to my legs and I had to exterminate them reluctantly with the help of a porter who was accompanying us.

Volcanoes National Parl

The ground was slushy and slippery, weeds and creepers lay, ready to trip you and send you sinking into the slush or into a bed of thorny vegetation. We cut our way through what to our untrained eyes seemed to be an impregnable forest cover in our search for the Ntambara family of Gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park Rwanda - Tryst With Gorillas in Africa

At this stage, Oliver got a message on his walkie-talkie that we were quite near the Gorilla family. He asked us to make as less noise as possible and we followed him to a small clearing in the forest where we were met by a few other rangers who were tracking the Gorillas. We were asked to let go of our walking sticks and backpacks here and it was time for a quick lesson about how to communicate with Gorillas from Oliver.

He showed us the sounds that Gorillas made when they were in a friendly mood and what sound should be taken as a warning signal to stay at a distance. So practising our Gorilla language we followed our guide towards our tryst with the Gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park

We stop in our tracks as we come across this dark mass, Oliver informs us that this was Gorilla poop and a thrill shoots through our beings as we realize that we are now officially in Gorilla territory. We walk in single file in the midst of tall vegetation across a path cut by the machetes of the Rangers, afraid that the sound of our heartbeats would disturb the Gorillas.

We are wary of the slightest movement in the thick vegetation as we move forward in anticipation tinged with apprehension and fear at the same time.

Sighting of the Gorillas at Volcanoes National Park

And then we hear them! The silence of the forest is smitten by the blood-curdling and somewhat scary sounds of the Gorillas, probably fighting with each other or maybe playing with each other. We freeze in our tracks, hesitating to take the next step unsure where it would lead us to. But Oliver signals us to move forward, and we move forward, reposing our entire trust in his experience and wisdom. As another swish of a machete clears yet another path and we make our way gingerly through it, we have our first Gorilla sighting. He is just a few feet away from us and looks at us with eyes that seem to be mysteriously sad.

Volcanoes National Park

It was a moment that would stay etched in our memories as long as we lived, it was one of those defining moments that travel is all about. An experience that cannot be described in words, something that no picture, video, or word could really do justice to. Oliver assured us that we could take pictures without using the flash and with sounds off.

As I was busy taking pictures of the Gorilla in front of me, a black, burly shape whizzed past me, gently brushing me as he went past. To my incredulous amazement, it was another gorilla!  I had experienced something that probably does not figure in the bucket list of any traveller, “being touched by a Gorilla”!

Volcanoes National Park

And then we saw the Silverback, the male Gorilla and the head of the family, he looked majestic as he sat brooding in the midst of the jungle. I discreetly observed that he seemed to have the same, strange melancholia in his eyes that I saw in the other Gorilla.

I did not look straight into his eyes as you are not supposed to do so, especially to the male Gorillas as they may take it as a challenge and get irritated or hostile. Actually, the Silverback must have taken our intrusion into his privacy as a challenge on his territory as he stood up and let out a war cry thumping his chest, a couple of times when we were there.

Volcanoes National Park

A little distance away from the Silverback we found this mother Gorilla lovingly cuddling her two-month-old baby and showering it with the kind of love, only a mother can. Behind her sat another of her offsprings, probably simmering with sibling rivalry, his back to the world, pining for his mother’s attention.

It was the day after the world had celebrated Mothers Day and looking at the Gorilla Mother, we paid a silent tribute to the universal spirit of Motherhood and wished the Gorilla Mother a belated Mother’s day before taking our leave.

Volcanoes National Park

Elsewhere we came across this Gorilla who stretched languorously, unwilling to get out of bed, apparently a victim of the Monday morning blues.

After spending 60 life-changing minutes watching this family of Gorillas and also with a feeling of guilt for having impinged on their privacy, we make our way hesitatingly away from them. I take a last look at the silverback and this time as fate could be, our eyes meet for a fraction of a second. I again see deep sorrow in the eyes and feel that the Silverback wants to communicate something. But it is time to move and I follow my group back through the jungle.

Volcanoes National Park

But I feel that I have left a part of me with the Gorilla family who look so fearful and powerful, yet are so gentle, peaceful and graceful. As I tread the path towards civilization, the sad eyes of the Gorillas haunt me and I mull over the causes for this sadness.

Are the Mountain Gorillas sad because there are only less than 1,000 of them left in the world?

Are they sad because they still remember the persecution that they have faced over the years at the hands of the wildest animal on Planet Earth, Man?

Are they crying for the hundreds of babies they lost to unscrupulous poachers over the years?

Are they sad for many of their ilk who laid down their lives fighting to the last to protect their children?

Are the Gorillas grieving over the murder of their well-wisher and friend, the American Zoologist, Dian Fossey, who today lies entombed beside the very Gorillas she loved and who had become victims of Man’s avarice and greed? One of the volcanoes national park hikes leads to her tomb.

The questions whirred like a berserk fan in my mind and still do. The rendezvous with the Gorillas at the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda seemed to have worked a transformation within me, it had been an experience that only the blessed or chosen few can have, an experience that touches you deep within and changes you at the core.

An adventurous Gorilla trek to meet the endangered mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is an unforgettable experience in Africa. It is prudent to decide on what to wear for Gorilla trekking when you embark on your Gorilla trek. I know that Africa holds the promise of many exciting wildlife experiences in places like Cape Town, Serengeti, and Masai Mara and I hope I get to be a part of much more.

If you want to have a more immersive experience of the Gorilla trek and feel the excitement of getting close to the gentle giants, do watch our vlog here:

Face To Face With Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda Africa

The trek on the trail of the Gorillas is an amazing and thrilling experience. As you trek across fields, hills, slushy terrain, and finally cut your way acro…

How To Reach Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

Address: Kinigi, Ruhengeri, Rwanda

  • The Volcanoes National Park is at a distance of about 106 kilometres from the Kigali, the capital of Rwanda
  • Ruhengeri is the nearest city to the Volcanoes National Park at a distance of about 14 kilometres
  • The nearest airport to the Volcanoes National Park is the Kigali Airport at a distance of  about 116 kilometres

If you are dreaming of a rendezvous with Gorillas at the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, you can book a cheap flight to Kigali through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline right here.

Where To Stay While Visiting Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

There are many hotels near volcanoes national park within a few kilometres from the park. Luxury and economy accommodations are easily available.

For your Volcanoes National Park accommodation or for your accommodation anywhere in Rwanda, you can book the best hotels near Volcanoes National Park right here. Tou can book your hotel in Rwanda through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline conveniently right here!

Click to book the best hotels near Volcanoes National Park, MP or best hotels in Rwanda

Rwanda Places To See

There is much more to Rwanda than the mountain gorillas of the Volcanoes National Park. Here is a list of the major attractions of Rwanda that will give you enough reasons to visit it:

When visiting Rwanda whether you are thinking of Gorilla safaris and Gorilla tracking or exotic boat cruises, you can enjoy the experiences by availing Rwanda package tours that will cover the must-visit places of Rwanda. You can plan your trip and book online places to visit in Rwanda.

Click here to know more and book Best Attractions in Rwanda, East Africa

We hope you liked reading our Gorilla trekking blog and find it useful as a guide to the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Do let us know if you have any questions or would like to share any interesting information about Rwanda, through our comments section.

Rwanda, East Africa related posts:

Why we cried at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Kigali, Rwanda
Connecting With Nature In Rwanda, Africa
Nyungwe National Park – Nyungwe Canopy Walk in Rwanda
10 Reasons why one must visit Rwanda

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Gorilla in Rwanda, Africa

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110 thoughts on “Volcanoes National Park Rwanda – Tryst With Gorillas in Africa”

  1. I enjoyed reading your post! Gorilla trekking in Rwanda was my top experience in East Africa so far and i think I had may of them:) I saw Agasha group.

  2. What an exciting trip! I’ve never seen gorillas in the wild before so I hung on to every word and loved learning a little more about gorillas. They do look kind of sad.

  3. Ah I am very jealous. I would love to visit Rwanda and see the gorillas in their natural habitat. Great article, you’ve stirred some serious wanderlust.

  4. This is definitely a trip of a lifetime. I have been on a safari in Kenya that I really enjoyed. I am looking at returning to Africa. A gorilla safari in Rwanda sounds amazing thanks for sharing your experience.

  5. OMG I am so jealous of this it looks absolutely amazing. I am going to go and do some research now as I really really want to go and see the gorillas. I bet it was a amazing experience.

  6. WOW!!!!!!! What an amazing experience. I am totally jealous. I would love to go on this adventure someday.

  7. Wow this looks like an unbelievable trip! I would love to go and see them up close and personal, but I’m sure I would be scared!

  8. What an amazing adventure! I would love to be able to go explore like this! I have never been there, but it is definitely a place I want to go. I am SO glad you got to see some gorillas!

  9. What an amazing experience. Gorillas are beautiful animals, and I’m in awe that you were able to get so close to them in the wild. I can only imagine why they had the sadness in their eyes.

  10. Wow! What an amazing experience. I love those indescribable, once in a lifetime moments that happen. I’ve had these sorts of moments of varying magnitudes over my travels, as well. Amazing!

  11. Oh wow, what a journey. It’s really cool that you get to go on this kind of adventure to see the gorillas. I can’t believe you were able to get close enough for a gorilla to actually brush past you!

  12. First of all, I was reading this like it was a book. I was so invested in the story. I’m heart started beating fast as if I was there. The pictures are stunning, what an incredible experience. I so want to do this.

    The poop was massive.

  13. This was amazing. I learned a lot about the Rwandan genocide in college. The wild life photos are so beautiful. I could tell that silver back was the leader as soon as I saw him. I shared the pics with my kids and my son said “Wow thats a big poop!”

  14. What a suspenseful story! I was on the edge of my seat while reading this, hoping that your long hike would pay off with a gorilla sighting. And it did! The photos are incredible, I can only imagine how amazing it was to be there. Also to be touched by the one that went past. You are very luck!

  15. Angelic Sinova

    What an amazing experience! Volcanoes National Park definitely sounds like a must visit. I love animals so much and being able to see them up close and personal is always a fun treat.

  16. This is my favourite post of yours so far – you really made me feel like I was there with you. It must have been amazing to see the mother and baby and also the sad silverback. We really need to respect these majestic animals

  17. Annemarie LeBlanc

    What an experience to see gorillas in their natural habitat. The photo of the mother gorilla and her offsprings is so sweet! The alpha male looks so huge, but he has the saddest eyes I have ever seen.

  18. It’s an early start of the day, but you got a great experience in return! Whoa, what a landscapes and how beautiful is it to see the gorillas from so close! I’ve never seen gorillas in wild and cannot wait to visit the Volcanoes National Park myself! 🙂

  19. You are very brave for journeying into the wild to see the gorillas. I think it is really good that they are in their natural habitat, although I know poaching is a big problem for exotic animals. The gorillas looks so beautiful! I have always been fascinated by gorillas because of their beauty, great strength, and intelligence. I think people don’t give gorillas they credit they deserve and instead mistreat them. Very sad to know about the murder of Dian Fossey. How incredibly sad she was murdered!

  20. Anita Anderson

    Wow that experience must have been amazing. Just thinking that a gorilla walked past you and lightly tapped you was that aha moment.

  21. Wow! You captured some amazing photos and you were so close to them! What an amazing experience. It sounds like quite the trek and I definitely would be in the novice group of hikers.

  22. What a trek! Firstly it looks quite exhausting before you even get to the gorillas – but wow, how incredible to actually see them and hear them! I love how you were welcomed first with the African drumming, what a marvellous experience.

  23. What an amazing trip this must have been. I would not have been able to do the hike, but to hear about your adventures with the gorillas was so awesome. That is the trip of a lifetime.

  24. What a truly amazing experience and one that not many can ever claim to have had. How many people can say they have had a brush against a gorilla in the wild? Aside from the special time you were able to have watching the family, that will always be a moment you will remember for sure. Fabulous photos as well.

  25. Love the post! This was one of my favourite places in Rwanda and though it was rather expensive, I did it still…who knows when will I come back again to Rwanda 🙂

    I also had one gorilla come and touch my leg…it was thrilling and scary both 🙂

  26. Such an incredible experience from the very beginning. It must have been difficult not knowing how far you would have to trek and even if you would be able to find the gorilla family after all that work. Thank goodness you were able to have such an amazing encounter and it was everything you hoped it would be. Really enjoyed reading about your experience.

  27. I can’t believe you got to see gorillas in the wild. To say I am jealous is a vast understatement. This sounds like an incredible experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity, you are soo lucky. Happy travels.

  28. This is so high on my bucketlist. Tears in my eyes, just by reading your post, so I can’t imagine what it must be to experience this in real life. But before I go, I have to get in shape. How long did it take you to reach the family?

    1. Thanks Wendy. We need to be quite fit as the trek is tedious especially if it is drizzling or if the path is wet. It takes around 4 to 5 hours to go and come back depending on the location of the Gorilla family. It is not fixed.

  29. Oh, this sounds so lovely! I mean, the trek itself looks amazing, those local dancers, the landscape along the way… And I can only imagine the excitement when seeing gorillas, after sooo many hours of trekking. Sounds like one great adventure, thanks for sharing! 🙂

  30. I saw the gorillas in Rwanda years ago and your post brought back great memories. Fortunately even though it rained the day before and after our trek it was dry and sunny during the entire trek.

  31. It is definitely worth the journey once you see how magnificent the gorillas are. I’m sure it’s unforgettable and it’s quite a learning experience too, especially since you get to observe them.

  32. Awesome experience! I have never been to Rwanda (yet). If I do, I will make sure I avail of this unique trip to Volcano National Park to see the gorillas in the wild.

  33. Wow! This is definitely a dream experience for me! Have they found that the more rugged of a trek you go on the better chance you have at seeing one of the families? Or are there some in every area that they take groups on? I know that rush at seeing poop and knowing you’re close to something you’ve been dying to see! Glad it was a successful trek!

    1. There are only 10 groups of Gorillas that are available for the tourists. Some other groups are not accessible and are reserved for research purposes. The 10 groups also keep moving in the forest. But their are Rangers who track their movements and know where each group is. tourists are assigned groups based on their fitness, so those with lower levels of fitness would get the easier trek. But there is no guarantee of the time as the gorillas may move further. But everyone gets to meet the gorillas irrespective of the degree of toughness of the trek.

  34. I bet the sticks did come in handy! Sounds like an amazing adventure, def. awesome memories to be made.

  35. It is so refreshing to read about Rwanda and know about the places to visit there. I haven’t been reading a lot about this country. I even thought it was dangerous, now I know that it isn’t thanks to your articles. Anyway, before reading this, I thought you were going to a zoo where you can see the gorillas, so I was a bit surprised that you had to do a long and difficult trek into the forest to see them. Wow what an adventure. It would have made me really excited. To see animals in their natural habitat is way better than seeing them on the zoos. And I can see what y0u mean about seeing sadness in the gorilla’s eyes. It is evident even on the photo. My heart goes out to him.

  36. What an adventure! We always have such negative connotations when thinking of Rwanda and it’s difficult to see past it and instead focus on the value of its nature, people and culture. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into this perspective.

  37. What a thrilling experience! I can only imagine how terrifying and exciting this was at the same time. Their eyes indeed look sad, and I wish we could hug them but of course, we just have to let them be. I’m sure you’d always look back at this moment with a flood of emotions. Thanks for taking us to this trip through this story.

  38. This must have been a life-changing experience. I’ve only seen a few animals, and that was only at the zoo. I think I would have been freaked out the see the gorillas but excited at the same time.

  39. It’s nice to see and experience how the gorillas actually live in their natural habitat. And you were really lucky, not only did you see them, but as you said, even got ‘touched by a gorilla’!! 🙂 The trek looks a little difficult with so much of walking on the rough terrain, but at the end, it did pay off. Isn’t it?

  40. Ahhh so good, i will be in Africa ( Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda) next December, January, and February… I got so excited reading your post and looking at your pictures, what an amazing experience. Can´t wait to go 🙂

  41. This is high on my list of things to do, visit the Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. It’s quite a trek and I’m looking forward to it. You took some fantastic images of the trek, the changing weather and of course the gorillas!

  42. OMG this has been on my bucket list forever! I’m so jealous you got to go! I had no idea the trek was so challenging but those pictures make it totally worth it 🙂

  43. This has to be one of the most amazing experiences on the planet. Such a privilege to see these wonderful animals in the wild, it is so sad that there are so few left. I hope to be able to visit one day before it’s too late!

  44. This is truly an awesome experience! To get so near to the gorila family and to take such amazing photos must have been breathtaking.

  45. What an adventurous you had! I’ve never seen a family of Gorillas in person, these photos are really amazing.

  46. What a wonderful early morning you guys have had. I would have loved to be touched by a gorilla . Will I faint? 🙂 🙂
    I think meeting Gorillas is defintely a high point of Rwanda . I have added to this list (but not being touched by gorilla ..hahaha)

  47. This looks like a great hike. I haven’t seen a Gorilla in person yet, and this one makes me excited to see it in person. The trail looks challenging and kind of adventure I like. I also love how you have immersed yourself with locals which makes your travel experience great. I haven’t been to this place yet, and hopefully I could get the chance and traipse my feet here.

  48. Viewing gorilla’s is something I have wanted to do for many many years now! I was actually booked onto a tour to see them back in 1997 in Uganda, but it was a time of huge political unrest and tour companies stopped visiting for a while so, sadly I haven’t had a chance to do this yet. Your story is amazing, it truly is! Gorillas are magnificent, I am so glad you had such a memorable encounter with them. #feetdotravel

  49. Wow! What a beautiful place and fun, if unusual, adventure! You certainly had to work to see those gorillas, though. Glad to hear that you enjoyed this trip so much. 🙂

  50. I’m traveling in Africa right now, and I really want to see the gorillas. It’s just so damn expensive! Rwanda just increased the price and now you have to pay $1500 just for the permit!!

  51. What a unique and exciting experience! That for sure is one every traveler dreams of! Your pictures are great! Thanks for sharing the article!

  52. What an amazing trip. They do look very melancholy, as if they were thinking, “Oh great, more humans today.” 😉

    I was in Uganda recently but didn’t have the time for the Mountain Gorilla trip there. A reason to return.

  53. You have been very privileged to have this experience as only one group of visitors of maximum 8 members can visit one Gorilla family a day. So not so many people could do that. Thanks for sharing your very special experience.

  54. This was an incredible experience! I do think that there are only a few people who get to see gorillas really close. The tour guide must be an expert in navigating the jungle. This was a strenuous hike but it was totally worth it.

  55. I visited the gorillas a few years back in Bwindi, Uganda. It was a humbling and elating experience at the same time.
    The thing that made me smile when I looked at your photos just now was how the guides, the rangers, and the porters swiftly move up and down the slopes, in their wellies, while we tourists in our outdoor gear are slipping and sliding and huffing and puffing 🙂

    Happy continued travels!
    C

  56. Oooh how I would love to experience this. I totally get it that no words or pictures could describe it. I am glad though, that not many people are allowed to do this. Otherwise the place would be destroyed.

  57. I’ve never been to Rwanda, but I’ve been reading a lot about it and I have some friends who have been sending me photos, and reading you makes me want to go asap! It’s on top of my bucket list!

  58. Sandy, I did love this article. We just recently visited the Ugandan gorillas and the experience sounded very similar. As you write, it was a travel memory that only comes once. It’s was mesmerizing. We loved it as I can tell you did.

  59. What a beautiful post. I am still hesitating to go to Rwanda or Uganda because of the price but I definitely want to see the gorillas by myself. Hopefully next Christmas 🙂

  60. India has only one active volcano, Barren islands, which is out of bounds for a normal tourist. I have read so many theories about how volcanoes came about be it the Morgan’s theory or the Plate Tectonics theory so Volcanoes national park sounds amazing! Spotting gorillas is like icing on the cake.

  61. Walking in the wild without a vehicle….quite an adventure, I suppose. Trekking in that thick forest would have been quite an experience, specially because you never know where the animals are hidden.

  62. A wonderful and moving article. So amazing to see the gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park. The trekking looked hard but exhilarating but worth the adventure. I had just seen a show on TV about how the numbers are starting to go up for the Gorillas there and how I would love to visit. I pinned this for later. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  63. This is probably one of the most incredible wildlife experiences in the world, and it’s at the top of my list. How phenomenal to have a silverback brush past you and actually make contact!! I’ve heard that this is a challenging trek, but every review of the experience has always said it was the most worthwhile experience they’ve ever had, and that even though the 60 minutes was fleeting, it’s been etched into their memories every since. Thankyou for sharing your photographs and your experience.

  64. Tracking the gorillas is one of my dreams and I can’t wait to go back to East Africa next year to fulfill it. I just know they are going to make me work for it though – and am fully expecting a few hours of arduous trekking to reach/find them!

  65. I bet you never will forget that moment. This sounds like an incredible adventure to have. Love the greeting you got too. Glad you enjoyed yourself

  66. Quite a unique experience. Africa is on our bucket list! Loving your Africa posts! Such a well written post. Felt like we were there. Gorillas are so fascinating. Must be amazing to see them up close.

  67. Seeing those huge gorillas so closely must have been a great experience. I hope to visit Rwanda one day and see those animals as well.

  68. This is where I love to see Gorillas and other animals, not in the zoo! The experience must be surreal seeing how they live their lives in their natural habitats. This is how it should be.

  69. One of the reasons why I want to go to Africa – to see wildlife! They are supposed to be in their natural habitat and not in the zoo! Hmmm. I am just curious, aren’t Gorillas territorial?

  70. I love to see animals in their natural habiat and I hope gorillas will be here for a long time to come. Looks like you had an amazing day and I love the way you wrote this post, beautifully written.

  71. I love this story. Rwanda, and Africa in general, has a very interesting, rich and colorful culture. The quaint simplicity of the daily lives of the populace will really touch your heart, telling you that perhaps that is the best way to achieve true happiness. In this post, the raw ruggedness of the terrains and the forests look absolutely stunning. The gorillas are majestic but they somehow make me nervous. Anyway, I hope to set foot in Africa one day.

  72. I loved reading this post! I have wanted to see the gorillas for ages. I can imagine that being touched by a gorilla must have been incredible! It looks like this was an amazing trip!

  73. I have been to Burundi and visited hippo and crocodiles safari it was an amazing experience. But Gorilla trekking beats it! Even there in Kigali i was searching for places where i can kayak on. Brings back so many memories!

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