Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Stole My Heart

Posted by: Diana Gasper

The trip to Rwanda has left me in thoughts. This was such a transformative experience that I feel the urge to talk about it with someone.

I would say that I have always been one for nature, although not very serious. I am talking about those people who like walking and watching the planet earth. Be that as it may, all my life preparations could not get me ready enough for an encounter I had with a family of mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.

The trek itself was challenging. We went up and down for around three hours climbing in thick bamboo forests, on slippery paths, through high hills that made me doubt about my physical fitness. Our guide would say “pole pole” (Swahili for slowly) which was my motto of the day. Despite the fact that my feet were sore, I continued moving forward since I was eagerly waiting for that moment.

Then it occurred. A distant growling noise reached our ears, following which the guide signaled us to halt. Right there, some fifteen feet from us, lay a huge silverback gorilla peacefully eating its bamboo. It is unbelievable – this animal weighed over 400 pounds, with nothing but muscles under its skin, and yet when it turned and looked at us it seemed like a person with very intelligent eyes.

We spent the following hour observing how they behaved on a daily basis. The infants played around rolling just like kids do. One of the curious juveniles even dared to come close enough and stretch out its arm towards me (of course we maintained a safe distance of seven meters as prescribed). Those motherly gorillas were incredibly calm and caring; they kept on looking after their young ones every now and then.

Nonetheless, what broke me completely is when this dominating majestic being known as the silverback simply took a seat and gazed right into my eyes. We stared at each other for what seemed to be ages probably thirty seconds or so. As I looked into his eyes, I thought I saw intelligence, inquisitiveness and a bit of familiarity too; as if he were examining me just the way I was doing to him.

I have no shame to say that I began crying right in the middle of the forest. From our guide’s information, Guhonda, a famous silverback among tourists, was responsible for such behavior. This male is believed to be the biggest one in Rwanda and he can easily provoke a sense of one’s insignificance.

It took just sixty minutes (the maximum time allowed with the gorillas so as not to stress them unduly), yet it seemed like five minutes and five hours at the same time. Leaving them there was really painful.

Rwanda as a country left me speechless as well. It is very orderly, secure, and its inhabitants rank among the friendliest people one could meet anywhere. Kigali is an amazing town, and gathering knowledge of how this nation managed to overcome the genocide period through nature preservation was just phenomenal. The reason behind paying a high fee of $1,500 for gorilla permit which many would consider unreasonable but it makes sense is because it contributes directly towards conservation efforts and also aids local communities.

The images on my cellphone cannot provide a true representation of that trip. Those senses, experiences you need to experience live before understanding them…

To anyone unsure whether to go for it or not, take my advice and make that reservation today! Your views on wildlife, environment, and life will never be the same after this trip.

I am scheduling another visit soon. The gorillas now own a part of my heart, a situation that I believe will last for quite some time.

Join me on my next trip 

1. Rwanda and Tanzania Gorilla Trekking and Safari
2. Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Journey