Trek Report
"The Endangered
Mountain Gorilla's of Rwanda"
" In the Heart of Central Africa, so high up that you shiver more than you sweat,
are great old volcanoes towering up almost 15,000 feet and nearly covered with
rich green rainforest:
the Virungas"...Dian Fossey
Urgent attention for the protection of the Mountain Gorilla was initiated by
Dian Fossey who dedicated her life to their future and immortalized them in her
book and the film...
"Gorillas In The Mist".
The Mountain Gorilla, gorilla berengel, is a very rare and endangered species. It is one of the most endangered species
in the world today. Poaching and habitat destruction were the main causes for
its decline.
A little over half of the world's surviving Mountain Gorilla population live
in the Virunga Volcano reserve in Rwanda and the Congo. And the few remaining
Mountain Gorillas live just to the North in the Bwindi reserve in Uganda. Today
the decline of the Mountain Gorilla has slowed due to education, funding for protection
and Gorilla Trekking. Gorilla trekking allows a few dedicated individuals the
opportunity to observe and photograph the Mountain Gorilla in its natural habitat.
The rules are strict and the permits are expensive, but the end results are greater
protection for these magnificent and rare creatures.
In May of 2006 I was fortunate to travel with a limited group of photographers
into the Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda to retrace the footsteps of Dian Fossey
and sit next to the rare Mountain Gorillas of the Virunga Volcanoes. This was
one of the most exhilarating experiences of my entire life!
Located at the crest of the mountainous backbone of Africa, at the very center
of the continent, the Virunga Mountains are the embodiment of western fantasies
about “Darkest Africa”. The Virungas are in the heart of the legendary land of
King Solomon’s mines, the long-source of the Nile, jungles filled with man eating
plants and the home to cousins of King Kong.
In reality, the mountains themselves are indeed spectacular. The dense forests
and jungles of the Volcano Mountains are home to some unusual plants and animals,
but the best known—the Mountain Gorillas—are placid giants munching mostly on
forest vegetation and not on wayward travelers!
The rules for Gorilla Trekking or Etiquette are strict but are very necessary
for the Gorillas protection:
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Total silence.
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No eating, drinking or smoking.
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No pointing or staring directly at the gorilla
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No flash photography
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Do follow the guides actions at all times, do not stand above the guides height
and keep behind guides at all times.
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No children under 15 years allowed
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No one with an infectious illness permitted to view.
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Visits are limited to only one hour per day, and groups are limited to only 8
people.
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And most important: If the ‘Silverback’ charges do not run!
Our permits and paperwork were secured over a year in advance, so after an orientation
and registering at the main ranger headquarters our long awaited journey was finally
ready to begin.
We had secured permits for two treks, but since the Gorilla families are constantly
on the move, the permits did not guarantee that we would see any Gorillas.
On some days the trek to find gorillas can be quiet short, but on most days several
hours of rough hiking each way is necessary.
The male Silverback.
Our climb began through the lush terraced farmland of the lower volcanic slopes.
As these slopes become steeper and rockier, the vegetation becomes thick and tangled;
the guides must use their machetes to help clear a path. Huge trees, clinging
vines and undergrowth add to the challenge of swift streams and slippery red mud
underfoot. Usually at around 8,000 feet signs of the huge animals become apparent.
And all of a sudden there they are: A family of eight with a huge Silverback male.
Photography in the Virunga Volcanoes can be difficult with the low light, rain,
mist and constant movement of the gorillas. We were luckly, on our first trek when
the family group of gorillas moved into an open area with diffused but decent
light for photography. But on our second trek the Gorilla family was located in
dark deep bamboo jungle. But during our one hour shoot, part of the family did
move into an open field with low green bushes.
Female with baby.
Close-up of mother resting.
Female on freshly made nest with youngsters in background.
Male Silverback resting on freshly made nest.
It's hard to believe that you are so close to these giant primates, observing
them observing you. Their almost human movements, innate dignity and social interaction
make a unique connection within each of us.
Please email me if you need any additional Mountain Gorilla Trek information!
Read "Mobile Bay Monthly" article on our Mountain Gorilla Safari:
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