Mountains and giants: Face-to-face with a Silverback

FAST FACTS

THE EXPERIENCE

Rwanda is called the land of a thousand hills for good reason: as a rolling lush tapestry of greenery spreads before you in every direction. Bounce along a rutted 4×4 track high into the misty and mysterious volcanic ranges, leaving behind the pretty cotton-field surrounded villages where the locals thrive from the gorilla tourism. Begin trekking through hauntingly beautiful rain forests, escorted by former-poachers-turned-wardens, until you find your gorilla family, consisting of a ginormous Silverback, females and babies.

The journey melts from your mind as you are rewarded with a precious hour with these endangered and elusive giants. An experience that is riveting, thrilling and entirely life-changing – you observe these magnificent creatures as they go about their daily life just metres away: feeding, playing, resting and tenderly grooming their young in big social groups. They spend most of their time foraging for leaves and shoots along the forest floor, so you can get close enough to them for photographic opportunities that will astound you.

Years of conservation have made the gorillas completely habituated and they are one of the few wild animals that you can get close to without interfering with their normal behaviour. Join the few travelers who are lucky enough to visit gorillas in their natural habitat.

TIMELESS AFRICA SAFARIS TIPS

• Put together a group of 8 people as each visit to the Gorillas comprises of 8 tourists
• Ask for a family with small babies
• Wear good, well-worn-in walking shoes
• Put down your camera and experience the gorillas – you only have one hour each trek
• Take pens, pencils, paper & notebooks to give to the village kids
• Woven baskets are amazing at the local markets in Kigali
• A visit to the Genocide Museum is a must