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Among the most thrilling experiences one can have on an African safari is, without a doubt, a close encounter with mountain gorillas.
These extraordinary primates—so imposing yet deeply peaceful—inhabit the dense tropical forests of Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seeing them up close is not only a rare privilege, but also a journey into the most intimate and mysterious side of the wild.
THE LIFE OF GORILLAS
Gorillas are the largest living primates, belonging to the Hominidae family—the same as humans. There are two main species: the Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and the Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei), each with two subspecies. The most famous among them are the mountain gorillas, made widely known by scientist Dian Fossey, who dedicated her life to them and helped protect them from poaching.
These remarkable animals live in social groups called “families,” which can include anywhere from 5 to 30 individuals. Each group is led by a dominant male, the famous “silverback,” easily recognizable by the gray stripe running down his back. The silverback is the protector of the group, but also its emotional heart: he leads movements, makes crucial decisions, and maintains harmony among members. Females raise the young with surprising gentleness, while the young gorillas spend time playing with each other—just like human children.
What They Eat
Their diet is primarily vegetarian: they feed on leaves, fruits, shoots, and bark. They spend most of the day foraging, resting, and socializing. Gorillas are peaceful, sedentary animals with a complex communication system made up of sounds, facial expressions, physical contact, and body language. Observing a group of wild gorillas is like watching a human family in the forest: they hug, comfort each other, laugh, and sometimes argue.
A Species at Risk
But their survival has been threatened for decades. Poaching, habitat loss, and civil wars drastically reduced the mountain gorilla population. Fortunately, thanks to the joint efforts of governments, NGOs, and scientists, their numbers have slowly increased in recent years, recently surpassing 1,000 individuals. An extraordinary but still fragile achievement.
The most dramatic period of gorilla poaching occurred between the 1970s and 1990s, particularly in the Virunga Mountains and the Bwindi Forest regions between Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This was a dark chapter in the history of African primate conservation, where gorillas were decimated not only due to ignorance or profit but also as collateral damage in armed conflicts and political instability.
During those decades, the mountain gorilla population dropped to fewer than 250 individuals. The risk of extinction was real, and every loss was a hard blow for the species.
Poaching had several devastating motivations:
- Illegal Trade of Infants: Babies were captured alive to be sold as exotic pets, often to private collectors or illegal zoos. But to take one infant, poachers had to kill the mother and other group members who tried to protect it.
- Trophies and Superstition: Gorilla body parts (hands, heads, bones) were sold as trophies or used in traditional medicine and rituals. Seen as magical beings, gorillas became victims precisely because of this.
- Bushmeat Trade: Gorillas were also killed for food, despite being a protected species. Gorilla meat, though illegal, was sometimes consumed in local villages or sold on the black market.
- Armed Conflicts: During the Rwandan Civil War (1990–1994) and conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, national parks became war zones. Poachers acted with impunity while armed militias occupied protected areas. Even rangers were killed in their efforts to protect wildlife. Gorillas died at the hands of humans—often out of revenge or as a show of power.
Even cinema has shed light on this tragedy through the film Instinct (1999), directed by Jon Turteltaub, starring Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr. The story revolves around a scientist living in the jungle with gorillas, accused of attacking and killing two forest guards, and subsequently institutionalized. The plot doesn’t hide the violence inflicted by humans on gorillas. A powerful story full of important lessons.
On a lighter note, we can also mention Disney’s Tarzan, where the antagonist Clayton’s evil intentions are clear from the beginning: he uses Jane to get close to Tarzan, only to reach the gorillas at the right moment.
One of the most infamous incidents occurred in 2007, when seven gorillas were brutally killed in Virunga National Park. That shocking event revealed how dangerous the situation still was, even in the new millennium.
The Turning Point
Conservation and protection efforts only began to bear tangible results thanks to the bravery of researchers and local rangers. Zoologist Dian Fossey played a pivotal role: she lived among the gorillas for years, documented their behavior, and actively fought poachers. It was this very battle that likely cost her her life—she was murdered in 1985, presumably by individuals involved in the illegal trade.
Today, thanks to responsible tourism, NGOs, local governments, and the courage of hundreds of rangers, the mountain gorilla population is on the rise. But the memory of that dark period remains a warning: nature must be protected with constant effort—because it only takes a moment to lose what we’ve nearly forgotten we had.
GORILLAS: A SCIENTIFIC TREASURE
Gorillas are also of great interest to the scientific community. Their similarities with humans—sharing over 98% of our DNA—make them key to the study of evolution, social behavior, and even psychology. They feel emotions, have memory, form deep family bonds, and in some cases, have been observed using simple tools—undeniable signs of advanced intelligence.
Evolutionary Studies
By observing gorillas, researchers have been able to theorize how our ancestors adapted to live in groups, developed survival strategies, and evolved communication and cooperation. Gorillas exhibit hierarchical social structures, a nurturing system for their young similar to humans, and behaviors that show a strong sense of belonging.
Emotions and Bonds
One of the most incredible aspects of gorillas is their emotional life: they feel joy, sadness, fear, and anger. They’ve been seen comforting scared or injured companions, and mothers mourn their lost infants, showing prolonged signs of grief. These deep emotions debunk the old idea of “emotionless” animals and reinforce the understanding that sensitivity is not exclusive to humans.
Memory and Learning
Gorillas also have an impressive long-term memory. They remember routes, food sources, and social dynamics. Young gorillas learn by observing adults—a form of social learning that underpins culture among primates. For example, infants imitate their mothers to learn how to build nests or gather food.
Use of Tools
Among the most exciting discoveries is the ability of gorillas to use basic tools, once thought unique to chimpanzees among primates. In the wild, researchers have observed gorillas using sticks to test water depth before crossing, or branches to move nettles while foraging. These behaviors show problem-solving, planning, and advanced intelligence.
Psychological Insights
Studying gorillas also impacts comparative psychology: understanding how gorilla relationships develop helps us understand the evolutionary roots of human attachment, cooperation, and even empathy. Scientists have noticed that internal group conflicts are resolved through reconciliation rituals—such as hugs or reassuring touches—behaviors strikingly similar to those of human families.
Studying them is like looking into the origins of humanity—our ability to love, learn, cooperate, and adapt. It is also a powerful reminder of our responsibility to protect them, because with their loss, we lose a part of our own history.
A gorilla safari is not just a geographical journey—it’s a return to our roots. It’s looking into the eyes of a wild animal and, for a moment, seeing a reflection of ourselves.
The encounter with these amazing animals is truly indescribable! Those who experience it are incredibly fortunate. These animals radiate a powerful energy. They nourish the soul, and seeing them in their natural, protected habitat gives us hope and a sense of security.
It’s like meeting another population in need of support—of our help to claim their rights.
Today, tourism plays a major role in the conservation of many animal species across the globe. These types of trips carry ethical value. They help preserve the environment, boost the economy, support local employment and education—and all of this contributes to greater safety and stability!
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