Unforgettable Encounters with Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
There are some safari experiences in the world that stay with you forever, and an encounter with mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is certainly one of them. For many, this is the stunning of the wildlife travel. The chance to sit quietly in the forest, just metes away from a family of these gentle giants is a privilege that words can not explain. It’s a journey into a world of mist shrouded volcanoes and dense bamboo forests, where conservation has allowed a once endangered species to live.
The journey Begins: A walk into the misty.
The experience starts early in the morning at the park headquarters. After a cup of coffee and a traditional dance performance, you will be briefed by the park rangers about the gorilla behavior and safety rules. Then you will be assigned to a small group of not more than eight people, and then your journey into the park begins.
Unlike other safaris, a gorilla trek is not about sitting in a car; it’s a true walk into the wilderness. The guides and then trackers use their knowledge of the forest and the gorilla’s movements to lead you to one of the park’s habituated families.
Volcanoes National Park is known for its dramatic scenery. The slopes are covered in the lush bamboo and then forest, and the air is often cool and misty. The trek can be physically challenging, involving walking up and down hills, sometimes through thick vegetation.
However, the path is generally well-maintained and then the guides are experts at finding the best route.
They carry machetes to clear a way and are always ready to offer a helping hand. The anticipation builds with every step you take. You hear the sounds of the other animals; the leaves falling and then sounds of bird species. Your guide will tell you about the plants and animals you see and among others, while sharing stories about the park’s history and its famous protector Dian Fossey.
The moment of truth: A magical encounter.
Finally, after what might be an hour or several hours of gorilla trekking safari, the moment you have been waiting for arrives. The trackers will find the gorilla family. You will be requested to put on your face mask, put down any walking stick, and then follow a single rule. The feeling is a mix of excitement, nervousness, and stunning. The guides will get you to a safe, clearing viewing spot and you will see them.
The first sight of a gorilla is a truly unforgettable. This is either witnessing the young gorilla playing in the tree, or a mother gorilla carefully holding her baby and many more. You will then likely see the huge silverback, the family leader, calmy watching over his family. There are not just animals in the zoo; they are wild, powerful creatures in their natural home. Yet, they show a remarkable sense of peace and gentleness.
You are allowed to spend one precious hour with the gorillas. This is time to observe and then appreciate nature. You will watch as they go about their daily lives like feeding, grooming each other, resting and then interacting and others like taking their pictures and recording their movies through using the less or no flash cameras because the flash charges the gorillas, during that experiences you are asked to keep a distance of at least 7 meters (about 23 feet) to ensure the gorillas ‘safety and then to prevent the spread of diseases. The rangers are always close by, ensuring the safety of both the visitors and the gorillas.
The legacy of Dian Fossey and then power of conservation.
An encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is so powerful because it is a direct result of the successful conservation. The story of the park is tied to the life and then work of Dian Fossey, a famous primatologist who dedicated her life to protecting these animals. Her research and tireless efforts in the 1960’s and 70’s brough the plight of the gorillas to the world’s attention. Today the gorilla population is slowly increasing, this is intriguing to the hard work of the Rwandan government, conservation organizations, and then the local communities who have become partners in protecting this endangered species.
The money from the gorilla trekking permits goes directly towards these conservation efforts and is also shared with the local communities. This helps fund schools, health centers and other projects, giving the local a reason to protect the gorillas and their habitats. When you leave the park, you carry with you not just memories and pictures, but a sense of gratitude for having witnessed one of nature’s greatest successful stories.
It is a reminder that with dedication for having witnessed one for the nature’s greatest stories. It is a reminder that with dedication and care, we can help protect the planet’s most vulnerable species for future generations to enjoy. The feeling of leaving the gorillas behind is a little sad, but you leave with a sense of peace and a renewed love for the natural world.