Gorillas in the Mist

Beautiful misty morning on the way to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
We started with traditional native dancers and orientation before trekking up
through chrysanthemum and potato fields, bamboo forests and steep slopes.
Then when the trackers located the Agashaya family group, the guides hacked
 through trees and vines till we caught up to them. We were surrounded by 20
gorillas but we couldn't see them all because of the foliage. We were able to
 spend an hour watching and following them. You can't touch them but they
can touch you if they want. We learned to make the gorilla welcome sound. 

 

 

Suddenly, this big silverback(Agashaya) slid backwards down a slope like a child sliding down the stairs then brushed against my knee as he passed by. He was followed by a female with her baby on her back. It was amazing, we had a great experience!