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The Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda

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With only about 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild, the chance to spend an hour with these gentle creatures was a real once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Despite juggling my digital camera, Flip HD video camera, and BlackBerry to capture the experience, I still managed to take a few minutes to simply watch and enjoy.

A mama gorilla passes by us with a baby on her back.
A mama gorilla passes by us with a baby on her back.
Our guide ensures we keep our distance from this gorilla family gathering.
Our guide ensures we keep our distance from this gorilla family gathering.

The silverbacks seemed to have an insatiable appetite.
The silverbacks seemed to have an insatiable appetite.

These two little gorillas spent the whole hour we were there playing with each other.
These two little gorillas spent the whole hour we were there playing with each other.

Testing the strength of a vine before going for a swing.
Testing the strength of a vine before going for a swing.

Hanging out in the forest.
Hanging out in the forest.

A little one bares his teeth during a wrestling match on the forest floor.
A little one bares his teeth during a wrestling match on the forest floor.

These three gorillas were quietly hanging out behind us.
These three gorillas were quietly hanging out behind us.
As imposing as these big males appear in photos, they went about their normal business while we were around.
As imposing as these big males appear in photos, they went about their normal business while we were around.

The gorilla walking sticks offered to us on the trek. I bought the one with the ribbed handle for $10.
The gorilla walking sticks offered to us on the trek. I bought the one with the ribbed handle for $10.

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.