Melissa and Albert H. recently enjoyed a customized safari to Rwanda and Tanzania with Africa Adventure Consultants. From observing Rwanda’s mountain gorillas and admiring its breathtaking countryside to seeing Africa’s Big Five and the Great Migration, their trip was “nothing short of spectacular.” Melissa joins us on the blog as our guest blogger to share stories from their adventures.
We just returned from the most incredible trek to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and honestly, there are no words to describe it. Being in their presence brought me to tears—such raw, unspoken connection with these majestic beings. The journey to get here was long, but every single second was worth it.
As Dian Fossey once said, “The more you know about the species you are trying to protect, the more you realize how much they need us.” This experience has deepened my appreciation for their world and strengthened my commitment to conservation. I’m grateful beyond measure for this life-changing moment.
We woke up to another beautiful day in the Volcanoes National Park, and today was our second day of visiting the incredible mountain gorillas! Today’s trek was totally different and I am so grateful for the porters that helped me along the way.
Here are some interesting facts about these fascinating gorillas
1. Only around 1,000 gorillas left: Mountain gorillas are critically endangered. They live in the misty forests of the Virunga Mountains, straddling Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are currently 23 families in Rwanda.
2. Family bonds: The gorillas live in family groups led by a dominant silverback—usually the largest and strongest male. These silverbacks protect their families and make decisions on where to travel and when to feed. Today we visited a different family than yesterday that comprised of six silverbacks in one family, which is very rare.
3. Vegetarian diet: Despite their intimidating size and strength, mountain gorillas are primarily herbivores. They need to eat 60 – 80 pounds of food a day to fuel their bodies.
4. Twins are very rare, and when they do occur, one of the babies usually does not survive because the mother will not accept help from any other gorilla and has a very hard time feeding and holding onto both babies.
5. Conservation success story: Rwanda has made significant strides in protecting its mountain gorillas thanks to years of conservation efforts, anti-poaching measures and sustainable tourism. This has led to a steady increase in the gorilla population, offering hope for future generations of both gorillas and the people who rely on eco-tourism for their livelihoods.
If you’re ever lucky enough to visit, it’s an experience you won’t forget—and one that truly helps support the future of these magnificent creatures. Make sure you visit the gorillas at least two days! I would go back tomorrow just to watch the gorillas. It was the most amazing experience ever!
Leaving Rwanda was an emotional experience. I thought this would be a once and done trip for me, but there’s something about this place that makes me already want to return. This small, landlocked country in East Africa is a place of breathtaking natural beauty and remarkable resilience.
Next, we were off to Tanzania to explore the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti.
Before arriving on our first day on safari, I was not able to name Africa’s Big 5. I was certain the hippo should’ve been in there! We were able to see four out of five on our first day, but the elusive leopard remained hidden.
As we descended into the Ngorongoro Crater, the landscape was stunning and the topography constantly changing. Throughout the day, we were lucky enough to see seven lions lounging in the grass, a herd of majestic elephants grazing peacefully (for the most part until the end of the day when two bulls seemed to have a bit of a tiff over one of the females), a herd of Cape buffalo and even five rare and endangered black rhino in the distance.
What truly stole our hearts, though, were the baby animals. Watching the black-faced monkeys pounce on each other in play, the baby baboon hold onto its mother‘s back, a zebra foal sticking close to its mother and a gazelle calf wobbling on unsteady legs was pure joy. Even the baby warthog’s are cute! Seeing these young creatures as well as the old wobbly hyena reminded me in on day all about the circle of life!
In the southern Serengeti, I learned not only about migration but the circle of life. The Serengeti has endless plains with uncountable wildebeest of the Great Migration. It is in the southern area in the early part of the year that they have their babies and feed off the fresh grass that is growing after months of rain.
We were thankfully able to cross off all of the Big 5 while in the Serengeti. The leopard tried to disappear into the canopy, but thankfully our driver and guide was persistent! My favorites of our Serengeti game drives were a male lion basking in the sun protecting his fresh kill, the two mother hippos lounging on the edge of a lake with their babies and eating breakfast among the zebra and wildebeest that dotted the plain as far as the eyes could see.
Africa is more than a destination—it is a connection to something ancient and wild. We are humbled and grateful to be momentary witnesses of something far greater than ourselves. Who needs a church or temple when you have the wilderness, infinite skies and sleeping with the sound of roaring lions? Traveling is where I find my sanctuary and I left Africa a different person than when I arrived. I take its stories and pictures with me.
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Photos courtesy AAC Livingstone Club members Melissa and Albert H.