High in the cloud-kissed slopes of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, deep within a tangle of bamboo and cloud forest, a region of dense vegetation and varying elevation, lives a creature that has captivated the world for decades: the Famous Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Rare, intelligent, and strikingly human in behavior, these gentle giants are more than just a wildlife wonder they are Rwanda’s living treasure and a beacon of successful conservation.
Life in the gorilla natural habitat
Mountain gorillas live in close-knit family groups led by a dominant male known as a silverback, whose strength and wisdom maintain order and protect the group.
Dr Jean Felix Kinani Sangwa the Founder of One Health Approach for Conservation- OHAC-Gorilla Health said
“Mountain gorilla leave in groups even some lone silverback movies around and are trying to form a family by interacting with other groups, the objective is to get females and form an other family. A gorilla family can have one or more silverbacks, adults females’ , blackback, juveniles and infants”.
He mentioned that “These families, often made up of 10 to 30 even 50 individuals. Gorillas share deep bonds, marked by grooming, playing, and close emotional ties”.
Their daily routine is a delicate balance of foraging, eating food and resting. Gorillas are herbivores, feeding on leaves, shoots, wild celery, and seasonal fruits. Each night, they build fresh nests from leaves and branches a practice that shows not only their intelligence but also their constant movement through the forest in search of food.
Their social behaviors are remarkably complex. Mothers care for their young with tenderness, juveniles tumble and wrestle in innocent play, and the silverback leads with calm authority. Observing them feels like gazing into a mirror that reflects a simpler, more connected way of life.
Reproduction: A slow and precious cycle
Unlike many species, mountain gorillas reproduce slowly. A female typically gives birth to only one infant every three to four years, and the survival of that infant depends heavily on the protection of the group. This slow birth rate makes every life sacred and emphasizes the importance of sustained conservation efforts.
Mountan Gorilla twins are a rare occurrence. Dr Jean Felix took care on the first baby twin gorilla who survive in the chain,Their survival is even more exceptional and first notice in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with the Susa Group,s twins, Byishimo and Impano,being the first to survive to survive to adulthood.
Infants cling to their mothers for months, learning not only how to survive but how to live in harmony with the group. As they grow, they are nurtured by the whole family, forming emotional bonds that last a lifetime.
A magical encounter for tourists
For the lucky few granted the chance to trek into the mist and meet these gorillas face-to-face, the experience is nothing short of transformative. Tourists from around the world describe the encounter as deeply emotional even spiritual.
Dr Jean Felix K. emphasized” following recommendation, each gorilla group is visited by only 8 persons and for only 1 hour per day. Exceptionally some researchers can spend 4 hours and always by respecting the distance of 10 meters. This ensure to prevents possible cross contamination diseases but also to reduce the contact and respect the gorilla group activities”.
After a guided trek through thick rainforest and steep terrain, visitors spend a golden hour in the presence of these majestic creatures. It’s an hour of silence, wonder, and connection. Seeing a mother cradle her baby, or locking eyes with a silverback who returns your gaze with surprising calm, leaves an imprint that lasts forever.
It is not just a wildlife encounter. It is a profound exchange between two species.
Mountain gorillas are at the heart of Rwanda’s sustainable tourism success story.Their presence drives a conservation-based economy that benefits both nature and people:
Why mountain gorillas matter
Economic Value: Gorilla permits priced at $1500 attract high-end ecotourists, generating millions of dollars annually.
Community Development: An important portion of tourism revenue Sharing is invested in nearby communities building schools, health center,health post, and clean water systems. Locals become guardians of the forest, knowing their well-being is tied to the survival of the gorillas.
Conservation Legacy: Protecting mountain gorillas means protecting entire ecosystems, from rare birds to endangered plants. Rwanda’s efforts have led to a steady increase in gorilla numbers a rare success in today’s conservation landscape.
The soul of Rwanda
To know Rwanda is to know also the mountain gorilla and the world conservation success. These creatures are not just symbols of biodiversity, they are ambassadors of peace, resilience, and coexistence. Rwanda’s path from tragedy to triumph is mirrored in the story of its gorillas: once on the brink of extinction, now cautiously.
Every tourist who hikes into the Volcanoes National Park walks into a living story of happiness. Every photograph taken, every moment spent near a gorilla, is a silent reminder of our responsibility to protect life not just for our own wonder, but for the generations to come.
Rwanda has not only preserved a species. It has preserved a feeling the rare, breathtaking sense that in the wild heart of Africa, magic still exists.
Marie Chantal Nyirabera
Rwanda for you Magazine
