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Sun, Oct 15th, 2017

Gorillas in the mist!

We journeyed into the misty,highly cultivated hills of Rwanda to Volcanos National Park, home of the endangered Mountain Gorillas. Rwanda is a beautiful country of rolling hills and steep volcanic valleys. Our treks into the mountain forests were pretty intense but the cool temperatures helped .Once we found the gorillas it was truly magical as we watched them ,eat, rest, and play together from just a few feet away. Absolutely awesome and in the top five moments of our entire lives!!

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The five volcanos of Volcanos National Park are the main habitat of Rwanda's mountain Gorillas
The five volcanos of Volcanos National Park are the main habitat of Rwanda's mountain Gorillas
We Drove three hours from the capital at Kigali through beautiful mountain valleys and highly cultivated hillsides. The volcanic soil is rich and easily cultivated.
The five volcanos of Volcanos National Park are the main habitat of Rwanda's mountain Gorillas
Make no mistake, Rwanda is very primitive, but it's people are very industrious and hard-working.
Make no mistake, Rwanda is very primitive, but it's people are very industrious and hard-working.
We passed this road building crew of about 100 women cutting a road into a hillside.
Make no mistake, Rwanda is very primitive, but it's people are very industrious and hard-working.
No visit to Rwanda is complete without visiting the Diane Fosse research facility.
No visit to Rwanda is complete without visiting the Diane Fosse research facility.
No visit to Rwanda is complete without visiting the Diane Fosse research facility.
Hundreds of pounds of coffee potatoes are hauled on simple bicycles
Hundreds of pounds of coffee potatoes are hauled on simple bicycles
Hundreds of pounds of coffee potatoes are hauled on simple bicycles
Volcanoes national Park, home of Rwanda's mountain gorillas.
Volcanoes national Park, home of Rwanda's mountain gorillas.
Volcanoes national Park, home of Rwanda's mountain gorillas.
The volcanoes are beautiful, especially in the early morning
The volcanoes are beautiful, especially in the early morning
The volcanoes are beautiful, especially in the early morning
The beautiful morning mists of Rwanda are captivating
The beautiful morning mists of Rwanda are captivating
The beautiful morning mists of Rwanda are captivating
These giant woven figures are the site of the annual gorilla naming ceremonies
These giant woven figures are the site of the annual gorilla naming ceremonies
Every September thousands of Rwandans gather to name the newborn gorillas in each family. In this way every Rwandan shares in the ownership and feels related to their country's gorillas
These giant woven figures are the site of the annual gorilla naming ceremonies
Each morning at 7 am ,the trekkers meet to learn which Family is theirs for the day.
Each morning at 7 am ,the trekkers meet to learn which Family is theirs for the day.
Each morning at 7 am ,the trekkers meet to learn which Family is theirs for the day.
Each morning the gorilla guides meet to match each trekking group with the right gorilla family.
Each morning the gorilla guides meet to match each trekking group with the right gorilla family.
The gorilla treks are highly regulated, and organized. there are 12 gorilla families available for a one hour visit by trekkers. Three more gorilla families are only visited by researchers.Five other gorilla families are totally isolated from man.
Each morning the gorilla guides meet to match each trekking group with the right gorilla family.
Gardens are laid out with a specific area for each gorilla family.
Gardens are laid out with a specific area for each gorilla family.
These round benches or where the gorilla guides meet with the trekkers to talk about the family they will be visiting and protocols to follow.
Gardens are laid out with a specific area for each gorilla family.
We drive as far as roads will allow then trek across cultivated fields to the edge of the park nearest our
We drive as far as roads will allow then trek across cultivated fields to the edge of the park nearest our "family"
The roads are pretty rough but ,using them you can get closer to the last reported position of your Gorilla family
We drive as far as roads will allow then trek across cultivated fields to the edge of the park nearest our "family"
Trekking through the jungle often involved climbing out of deep ravines
Trekking through the jungle often involved climbing out of deep ravines
Trekking through the jungle often involved climbing out of deep ravines
Former animal poachers are given jobs jobs as porters
Former animal poachers are given jobs jobs as porters
Since the terrain is rough and vegetation very thick, it really helps to have these porters carrying your water, camera and other gear.
Former animal poachers are given jobs jobs as porters
Each gorilla family is watched by trackers and protected by armed guards.
Each gorilla family is watched by trackers and protected by armed guards.
The armed guards also help protect you against wild elephants or Buffalo. The jungle is so thick that you wouldn't see an elephant Buffalo approach.
Each gorilla family is watched by trackers and protected by armed guards.
Our first day's trek was to find the endangered,Golden Monkeys
Our first day's trek was to find the endangered,Golden Monkeys", in the bamboo forests
Our first day's trek was to find the endangered,Golden Monkeys", in the bamboo forests
Having our Porters along really helped
Having our Porters along really helped
Having our Porters along really helped
We trekked to the Sabyinyo Gorilla family, named after one of the volcanoes in the park
We trekked to the Sabyinyo Gorilla family, named after one of the volcanoes in the park
We trekked to the Sabyinyo Gorilla family, named after one of the volcanoes in the park
We found cute,colorful,little chameleons along the trek.
We found cute,colorful,little chameleons along the trek.
We found cute,colorful,little chameleons along the trek.
The birdlife and Rwanda is pretty incredible as well
The birdlife and Rwanda is pretty incredible as well
The birdlife and Rwanda is pretty incredible as well
It was rough going at times!
It was rough going at times!
It was rough going at times!
Hiring these porters helps support the local economy, which in turn, encourages wildlife protection.
Hiring these porters helps support the local economy, which in turn, encourages wildlife protection.
Hiring these porters helps support the local economy, which in turn, encourages wildlife protection.
Trekking through the bamboo forests was not easy, but well worth the effort in the end.
Trekking through the bamboo forests was not easy, but well worth the effort in the end.
Trekking through the bamboo forests was not easy, but well worth the effort in the end.
Suddenly, we found ourselves in the middle of a gorilla family
Suddenly, we found ourselves in the middle of a gorilla family
Since they were well habituated to Humans, the gorillas seemed to just go about their normal business.
Suddenly, we found ourselves in the middle of a gorilla family
Simply amazing to watch the family interact with one another.
Simply amazing to watch the family interact with one another.
Simply amazing to watch the family interact with one another.
We watched as this mother cared for her two year old baby
We watched as this mother cared for her two year old baby
We watched as this mother cared for her two year old baby
After two hours of trekking through the mountainous jungle, the trackers told us were close
After two hours of trekking through the mountainous jungle, the trackers told us were close
After two hours of trekking through the mountainous jungle, the trackers told us were close
What an incredible opportunity to learn about and
What an incredible opportunity to learn about and "feel" mountain Gorillas! Magic!
What an incredible opportunity to learn about and "feel" mountain Gorillas! Magic!
We presented a gorilla piece to Sabyinyo lodge for their dedication to conservation.
We presented a gorilla piece to Sabyinyo lodge for their dedication to conservation.
We presented a gorilla piece to Sabyinyo lodge for their dedication to conservation.
It really was astonishing how close we could get to the gorillas without disturbing them.
It really was astonishing how close we could get to the gorillas without disturbing them.
It really was astonishing how close we could get to the gorillas without disturbing them.
Truly face to face with a gorilla family
Truly face to face with a gorilla family
Truly face to face with a gorilla family
We spent one of the most incredible hours of our lives with the Sabyinyo gorilla family.
We spent one of the most incredible hours of our lives with the Sabyinyo gorilla family.
We spent one of the most incredible hours of our lives with the Sabyinyo gorilla family.
The young gorillas were just too cute!
The young gorillas were just too cute!
The young gorillas were just too cute!
We were less than 10 feet from this silverback Dad taking care of
We were less than 10 feet from this silverback Dad taking care of" the kids."
We were less than 10 feet from this silverback Dad taking care of" the kids."
What did he think of us? You have to wonder!
What did he think of us? You have to wonder!
What did he think of us? You have to wonder!
Lots of great opportunities for sketching the gorillas in their day-to-day life
Lots of great opportunities for sketching the gorillas in their day-to-day life
Lots of great opportunities for sketching the gorillas in their day-to-day life
Of course, we had to do the photograph with the silverback in the background.
Of course, we had to do the photograph with the silverback in the background.
Of course, we had to do the photograph with the silverback in the background.
Our group of friends with Mike the manager of the Lodge.
Our group of friends with Mike the manager of the Lodge.
Our group of friends with Mike the manager of the Lodge.
What a wonderful shot of Jan to show the grandkids!
What a wonderful shot of Jan to show the grandkids!
What a wonderful shot of Jan to show the grandkids!
One of the moms was carrying a week old baby gorilla.
One of the moms was carrying a week old baby gorilla.
WAY TOO CUTE!
One of the moms was carrying a week old baby gorilla.
Imagine standing in the jungle, watching 24 gorillas, play, eat, and interact within 15 or 20 feet if you
Imagine standing in the jungle, watching 24 gorillas, play, eat, and interact within 15 or 20 feet if you
Imagine standing in the jungle, watching 24 gorillas, play, eat, and interact within 15 or 20 feet if you
Although Pop was pretty skeptical, he almost totally ignored us.
Although Pop was pretty skeptical, he almost totally ignored us.
Although Pop was pretty skeptical, he almost totally ignored us.
We presented our guides with some Anne's artwork
We presented our guides with some Anne's artwork
Sadly and Yaya were our guides for the week and really took good care of us.
We presented our guides with some Anne's artwork
You had to wonder what this Silverback was thinking as Clark posed in front of them
You had to wonder what this Silverback was thinking as Clark posed in front of them
You had to wonder what this Silverback was thinking as Clark posed in front of them
We really had a ball sharing this adventure with our friends.
We really had a ball sharing this adventure with our friends.
We really had a ball sharing this adventure with our friends.
We donated a gorilla art piece to the staff of Sabyinyo, because of their conservation efforts.
We donated a gorilla art piece to the staff of Sabyinyo, because of their conservation efforts.
Sabyinyo, Works with the local village to provide jobs and income not only to preserve the gorillas but also to preserve their way of life.
We donated a gorilla art piece to the staff of Sabyinyo, because of their conservation efforts.
The trackers and guards spend 24/7 with their gorilla family
The trackers and guards spend 24/7 with their gorilla family
The trackers and guards spend 24/7 with their gorilla family
We really had a great time with our friends in Rwanda
We really had a great time with our friends in Rwanda
We really had a great time with our friends in Rwanda
Visiting a local village to see how Rwandans live day to day was cool.
Visiting a local village to see how Rwandans live day to day was cool.
Visiting a local village to see how Rwandans live day to day was cool.
The village teacher put together a dance session for us.
The village teacher put together a dance session for us.
The village teacher put together a dance session for us.
What an incredible experience sharing this dance was for all of us.
What an incredible experience sharing this dance was for all of us.
What an incredible experience sharing this dance was for all of us.
We had a wonderful time dancing with the village kids and students!
We had a wonderful time dancing with the village kids and students!
We had a wonderful time dancing with the village kids and students!
After the dance we all hung out and laughed together one last time!
After the dance we all hung out and laughed together one last time!
After the dance we all hung out and laughed together one last time!
The joy of these folks was infectious!
The joy of these folks was infectious!
The joy of these folks was infectious!
Meeting with Mike Canfield ,of the Gorilla Doctors was a definite highpoint for our friends as well as ourselves!
Meeting with Mike Canfield ,of the Gorilla Doctors was a definite highpoint for our friends as well as ourselves!
We donated several pieces for their facilities in Rwanda, and again, pledged several more to help them raise funds for their work.
Meeting with Mike Canfield ,of the Gorilla Doctors was a definite highpoint for our friends as well as ourselves!
We really enjoyed our visit with Mike and look forward to continuing our help in the future
We really enjoyed our visit with Mike and look forward to continuing our help in the future
We really enjoyed our visit with Mike and look forward to continuing our help in the future
We were sad to leave the Misty Mountains of Rwanda
We were sad to leave the Misty Mountains of Rwanda
Although Rwanda was truly magical, we were looking forward to the open plains of the Serengeti and seeing the wildebeest and zebra migration.
We were sad to leave the Misty Mountains of Rwanda
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