Jim Schroder's Travel

Home
Trips

Select Page

Rwanda

In different circumstances, gorillas can be truly dangerous. Most gorilla violence is directed towards other gorillas. They live in groups, in which one dominant male silver back controls several females and youngsters. If another male approaches, the silver back will try to drive him off

This is a younger Black Back gorilla.. A gorilla can reach speeds of 20 mph to 25 mph.

We were told ahead of time DO Not Make Eye Contact with the animals.

Lecturing another gorilla

Gorillas will beat their chest and scream breaking all the branches around them when they feel challenged by the younger gorillas or anyone that is not part of this family.

Generally, silver backs and younger gorillas are very shy and reserved towards people. They will attack only if they are surprised or threatened or if a person behaves in the wrong way. If the human makes an unexpected movement, the silver back male can react with horrific roaring and bluff charges

The leader of the Silver backs was in this resting position 15 feet away. All of a sudden it made grunting sounds. With in seconds he was up and charged me within inches and then over the hill in seconds. All within 6 seconds. I felt him in front of me in an instant. I thought this was how it is going to end here on a volcano mountain side in Rwanda.

Within a minute of the large Silver back charging me this young one fell out of a tree and landed within two feet of me. It had the look of "What the heck just happened?". It had fallen out of the tree above me. Notice the eyes are crossed eye somewhat too.

The question was asked what shots do you need to visit Rwanda? Luckily I had all the shots previously. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Rwanda: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. Shot lasts 2 years.

This is a good photo of their feet and how they use them to navigate the jungle areas.

I think I heard this one snoring as I passed by.

They like to take a siesta, a little rest, from time to time during the busy day in the jungle.

They walk on all fours.. hands and feet

A black gorilla on the move checking me out.

We were told that on this volcano shared by the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda there are 14 documented families that are living on the volcano.

Another gorilla resting for a few minutes.

Here are two younger gorillas catching some zzzzz.. sleeping. Worn out from playing. You can also see the fingers of the gorillas.

This is the gorilla world at the top of the volcano. You can see how dense the canopy is not only for the gorillas but for us too trying to get a glimpse of them. Under the dense canapy is very little sunlight.

The silver back make all the decisions, controls and mediates conflicts, decides movements and direction of the group. Controls where they will feed from and all security detail.

A Silver back can weigh from 500 to 600 pounds. They stand 4 to 6 feet tall. They definitely command respect.

[Show slideshow]

◄ 1 ... 11 12 13 ... 15 ►

© 2025 Jim Schroder