Gorilla Safari

Gorilla Safari

Waking early in the morning while staying in a lodge located near the Virunga National Park in Rwanda, I stretched and prepared myself for the gorilla trek ahead. After a hearty breakfast of eggs, banana pancakes and strong Rwandan coffee, our guide Claude briefed us on the dos and don’ts of gorilla tracking. We were traveling light with just water, snacks and rain gear in our small daypacks.

The forest was dense and lush as we began walking on the muddy trails. Claude stopped occasionally to check gorilla nests and scat for clues as to which family grouping we may encounter. After a couple hours of uphill climbing, he spotted a silverback in the distance and signaled us to stop and be very quiet. We watched through our binoculars as the massive dominant male ate, groomed and lazily reclined with his harem of females and young.

Claude nudged us forward slowly and we entered a small clearing with around 12 gorillas, including several juveniles frolicking and playing together. I was struck by their human-like facial expressions and gentle demeanor. We sat still as one curious young gorilla climbed some grass to peer directly at me, making me laugh with its inquisitive gaze. After about 30 magical minutes, Claude said it was time to give the family space again and we backed away quietly.

Reflecting on the special experience over lunch back at the lodge, I was filled with gratitude and awe at witnessing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. While gorilla tourism helps fund conservation efforts, it was a sobering reminder of how fragile their future is due to habitat loss and poaching threats. I would cherish the memories forever of my once-in-a-lifetime gorilla safari in Rwanda’s lush rainforests. It was an unforgettable encounter with our closest living relatives that I would recommend to anyone wanting a true African wildlife adventure.