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Photo Essay: 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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Comments

  2. I was waiting for several days already to see your pics!
    They are great & will get a stumble right away… :)
    I hope that enough is getting done, that the gorillaz are safe in future… It's sooo much nicer to see animals in the wild instead in a zoo.

    BTW, nice walking sticks & nicely chosen! :)

  4. Love the photos – baby gorillas are just too cute – what an amazing opportunity to see them. :-)

  5. What an incredible experience! I'm glad you had the chance to visit Rwanda. Did you feel like the trekking tour you were on help you learn more about the species?

    • Hi Joanna, actually, I don’t think I paid too much attention during the park guide briefings – I was too excited to see the gorillas. I think I learned just as much, if not more, from watching Gorillas in the Mist beforehand. To go a step further, at some point, I’d probably want to read one of Fossey’s books.

  6. Hey Dave,
    I have really wanted to trek to see the mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. My parents live in Tanzania so probably the next time I visit, I will try to make it to Rwanda. Great pictures, look like amazing animals to see in the wild!

    • Hey Mark, thanks for stopping by. Hope you do get to see the mountain gorillas – it’s worth the effort.

  7. Hey Dave,
    I have really wanted to trek to see the mountain Gorillas in Rwanda. My parents live in Tanzania so probably the next time I visit, I will try to make it to Rwanda. Great pictures, look like amazing animals to see in the wild!

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