These extraordinary creatures are not considered part of the famed Big Five which headline a traditional African safari. But they are iconic nonetheless and deserve focused attention from lovers of nature and wildlife. They inhabit a small corner of the continent where the Virunga Mountains span the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo which means you must expend an additional amount of time and resources to see them. But the energy and effort are well worth the investment. In the dense forests of this volcanic mountain chain live the Mountain Gorillas made famous worldwide by Dian Fossey. Without her presence and advocacy, we may not have had the opportunity to know these primates as we do today. The honor of spending time with them will long remain a highlight, not only because they are magnificent beings in their own right, but also because of the awe they inspire as they touch us with their family bonds and behaviors that reflect a distant past for our human community.

Like many, I had a journey scheduled to Rwanda and Zambia that was disrupted by the Covid epidemic that swept the globe in 2020. With the support of an excellent safari operator, I was able to scramble to rebook travels a year later in 2021. With fingers crossed and a patchwork of Covid protocols and testing along the way, the trip finally came to life. While the gorilla treks were the primary focus, a wonderful safari in South Luangwa, Zambia and a visit to the Lilayi Elephant Orphanage added fabulous dimensions to the overall safari experience. Time with the Golden Monkeys in Rwanda was also great fun as was a day in the little know game reserve, Akagera National Park.

I had been in Zambia years ago, primarily to see Victoria Falls. I chose to return here as Zambia still falls in the shadows of more popular safari destinations in Southern Africa. I personally prefer more simple and authentic surroundings that create very intimate connections to the flora and fauna. Clearly, Zambia exceeded expectations. Rwanda and its Mountain Gorillas checked all the buttons for a bucket list journey. Memories and photos that will last a lifetime.