Amahoro means ‘Peace’. I think I found peace today except when the female Mountain Gorilla brushed up against me as she and her infant baby made way past me to reach the next vegetarian buffet. Yep! That happened! I’m glad I had just relieved myself 25 minutes prior or else I would have had a wet and/or soiled gorilla experience. This image is two of the females (mom and baby girl) representing the Amahoro Group. I had the privilege to meet 15 of their family members at an elevation of 2,700 meters (or 9,100 ft.) Today was about Mountain Gorilla love!

My experiences in Rwanda for the past 12 days have scaled the spectrum of emotions. Today is no exception. I awoke bright eyed at 5:30am with a sunrise beaming through the window and sheer curtains opposite my bed. I had a predetermination and vision of what the day had in store. I was going to see Me Some gorilla!!!! The sunrise temperature was 48. Blue sky. No humidity. No breeze. The locals say this weather is typical for this time of year. In fact, 9 months out of the year the weather is consistent with this morning’s forecast. High 85 degrees and sunny. Perfect weather for my first mountain gorilla trek! I gathered my essential belongings and walked the pathway to the lodge for breakfast. This place is amazing in every way. The grounds are so well groomed and manecured. Endogenous plants and budding flowers give way to healthy butterflies and birds. Everything edible on the breakfast buffet had my name on it. Jeremy fixed me a loaded omelet. I crowded my omelet plate with fresh pineapple, banana and oatmeal. I was advised to eat a big breakfast because you don’t know what gorilla family you may be treking to. Some gorilla family addresses are 2-3 miles in the bush and others can be 4-6 miles. Easy, moderate or difficult routes to 8 different gorilla groups throughout the park are not assigned until you arrive at the Volcano National Park headquarter post. So, a full belly after breakfast is important for the unknown journey. Our guide was Jerome. He has a BS Social Science from the university in Butari. I hired a porter to carry my backpack. This $10 expense is not necessary but carrying people’s gear, no matter the weight, is what these guys do for a living. There were 9 of us in our grouping. We drove 2 miles to the entrance of the Park. Jerome informed us we may see buffalo, golden monkeys and an occasional elephant. Elephants in these parts are extremely dangerous because they’re aggressive. This is why our group was led by a National Park ranger with a semi-automatic weapon. We hiked for 3 miles until we came to a halt. Through a radio transmission Jerome was informed by gorilla spotters we should make an immediate left turn and begin the bush whacking trek. We followed our porters who used machetes to line a pathway. Crazy crazy crazy! And very steep. Footing was difficult. Alas! I turned to my left and five feet away from me I saw my first momma gorilla and baby. They were nestled in the thick bush. “No problem Huber (that’s French),” said Jerome. “You are good man. Sit down and take lots of picture. You are now in the home of 19 mountain gorilla family called Amahoro Group.” I think I said holy s##t! Me and momma, me and baby… Our eyes met for the first time from only 5 feet away. After a few minutes we bush whacked another 20 yards. Whoa!! The big daddy Silverback. Jerome said he was 25 years old. He was graciously eating shoots. 450 pounds and a huge head. I can’t remember what expletive came out of my mouth. He watched me but he was only observant from a 10 foot distance. I simultaneously took photos with my iPhone and my small Cannon. No need for zooms lense. Incredible! It’s a regulatory policy that visitors have only one hour to visit with the gorillas. Within a 30 yard radius we introduced ourselves to a total of 17 of the 19 Amahoro members. My words can’t describe the emotions I felt in that one hour. The only way to know is to experience this yourself. Sitting here writing this I am still speechless. I feel like I have been dreaming. I have jungle fever!

Tomorrow a guide will lead me up Mount Bisoke. It’s an active volcano in the Virunga Mountains. It straddles the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, but the summit is located in Rwanda. At 12,175 feet I hear the views are breathtaking! I can’t wait!!!! Enjoy a few pictures of our distant cousins. Love and PEACE!