{"id":1344,"date":"2024-07-03T10:53:56","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T08:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/royalafricansafaris.com\/richard-coke\/?p=1344"},"modified":"2024-07-03T11:02:01","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T09:02:01","slug":"gorilla-antics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/royalafricansafaris.com\/richard-coke\/blog\/gorilla-antics\/","title":{"rendered":"Gorilla Antics"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It was late October and my last safari of the season. A seasoned guest, his friends, and I embarked on a journey that would take us from the vast plains of the Laikipia plateau and Maasai Mara in Kenya to the majestic Virunga Massif in Rwanda in search of the mountain gorillas.<\/p>\n

Kenya, with its golden landscapes and diverse large populations of wildlife, set the stage for the safari portion of our adventure. The bamboo season was in full swing as we transitioned to the Virunga Mountains, bringing a unique flavor to the air \u2013 a subtle blend of peppery sweet ginger. This was a taste, not just of bamboo shoots, but of the forthcoming encounters with the gorillas.<\/p>\n

Under the guidance of our charismatic ranger Augustin, our two days of trekking commenced. The bamboo forests, shrouded in mystery, echoed with the playful energy of the gorillas. It was in these moments that nature treated us to its brand of humor, manifesting in the hyperactive antics of the young gorillas, intoxicated by the bamboo\u2019s essence.<\/p>\n

Among the two gorilla groups we tracked, one stood out \u2013 the Amahoro group. Comprising 18 gorillas, including 2 silverbacks, blackbacks, females, and youngsters, it promised a unique spectacle. A stroke of luck guided us to an open area, a privileged vantage point to witness the gorillas against the backdrop of the Virunga massif\u2019s extinct volcanoes.<\/p>\n

The encounter with the Amahoro group was not just about observation but immersion. As we approached, the gorillas descended towards us in unison, their movements synchronized. The Silverback, a majestic presence, led the procession. Nature had choreographed a dance, and we were humble spectators. This wasn\u2019t an orchestrated show; it was a candid glimpse into their daily lives.<\/p>\n

During this procession, a mischievous young gorilla diverted from the script. With a glint of playfulness in its eyes, it made a beeline for me, delivering a tap on my knee and a playful kick for good measure. It was a testament to the gorillas\u2019 familiarity and comfort with our presence.<\/p>\n

We departed with hearts full of gratitude. This gorilla trek, among the many I\u2019ve experienced, stood out for its simplicity and the genuine connection it fostered between humans and our distant relatives.<\/p>\n

For those contemplating an African adventure, especially East Africa, spending time with mountain gorillas is an invaluable experience. It\u2019s not just a wildlife encounter; it\u2019s a reflection on our shared existence, a moment where the boundaries between us and them blur, leaving an indelible mark on the soul.<\/p>\n

Note \u2013 Watch both videos, the first one shows the encounter from my perspective, and the second from behind the young gorilla.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It was late October and my last safari of the season. A seasoned guest, his friends, and I embarked on a journey that would take us from the vast plains of the Laikipia plateau and Maasai Mara in Kenya to the majestic Virunga Massif in Rwanda in search of the mountain gorillas. Kenya, with its […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":1345,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGorilla Antics - Richard Coke<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/royalafricansafaris.com\/richard-coke\/blog\/gorilla-antics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Gorilla Antics - Richard Coke\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It was late October and my last safari of the season. 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