Mountain Gorillas | Rwanda | 2026

Today, mountain gorillas are found in only two regions of East Africa: the Virunga Massif, which stretches across Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda’s Bwindi forests. There were several reasons why mountain gorillas were pushed to the brink of extinction during the 20th century. Their already small populations came under increasing pressure as their habitat was destroyed and converted for agriculture and human settlements. Hunting and poaching added to the threat. Gorillas were sometimes deliberately killed for trophies or the illegal wildlife trade, but they also died in snares intended for other wild animals. Political instability and armed conflict in parts of their range made conservation efforts even more difficult. And because mountain gorillas are genetically very closely related to humans, diseases transmitted by people pose a serious risk. Together, habitat loss, poaching, conflict and disease caused their numbers to decline dramatically over several decades. In 1967, primatologist Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains. She devoted almost two decades to studying and protecting mountain gorillas at a time when their numbers were falling dramatically. Her research fundamentally changed our understanding of these animals, while her determined fight against poaching brought international attention to the threats they faced. Her work came at a high personal cost: Fossey was murdered at Karisoke in 1985. The exact circumstances surrounding her death remain disputed to this day, but her work inspired generations of researchers, conservationists and supporters to continue protecting these extraordinary animals. The conservation efforts she helped establish continued long after her death and remain an important part of the mountain gorillas’ survival story today. Although their numbers have slowly recovered, mountain gorillas remain endangered and continue to depend on the long-term protection of their habitat. Today, just over 1,000 live in the wild. In Rwanda, gorilla visits are deliberately kept small-scale and are strictly regulated. The number of trekking permits is limited, visits take place in small groups, and the amount of time spent with the gorillas is restricted in order to minimise disturbance and protect both the animals and their habitat. Seeing these animals in the wild is difficult to put into words. They seem remarkably calm, gentle and expressive. For me, it was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life and something I will carry with me forever. I am deeply grateful to all the people who dedicate themselves to protecting these beautiful creatures, and grateful that we still have the chance to encounter them in the wild.