Gorilla Trekking, Golden Monkeys & Private Jet Safari with Abercrombie & Kent
There are wildlife experiences that are exciting, and then there are those that stay with you long after you have left, quietly reshaping how you see the natural world.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is firmly in that second category.
As the fifth destination on the extraordinary 25-day “Wildlife Safari: Around the World by Private Jet” with Abercrombie & Kent, Rwanda brought a depth of emotion, intensity and connection that felt entirely unique within an already exceptional journey.
For Juliet from the JL Creative team, this was her first time in Rwanda, and returning to Africa in this way felt both familiar and entirely new. Having spent over two decades photographing in the African safari world, she has witnessed some of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on the continent. And yet, this experience stood apart.
It was immersive, powerful and, without question, one of the most incredible wildlife encounters of her life.
A First Impression: Rwanda’s Beauty, Fresh Air and Quiet Pride
Arriving into Kigali International Airport, there is an immediate sense of calm and clarity.
As the journey continues north towards Musanze, the landscape begins to unfold in a way that feels almost dreamlike. Rwanda is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” and as you travel through it, that name feels entirely justified. Endless rolling hills stretch out in every direction, each one layered with dense, verdant forest that seems to glow in the light.
It is lush. Deeply green. Completely alive.
The air itself feels different, fresh, clean and energising in a way that is difficult to describe until you experience it.
And then there is something else that stands out almost immediately.
The cleanliness.
There is no litter. Roads, villages, countryside, everything is immaculately cared for. It creates a feeling of respect and pride that runs through the entire country. Knowing Rwanda’s complex and painful history, the sense of transformation, resilience and forward movement is incredibly powerful to witness.
It is a country that feels peaceful, considered and quietly strong.
The Build-Up: Anticipation of Gorilla Trekking
The anticipation of trekking to see mountain gorillas is unlike anything else.
This is not a passive wildlife experience. It is something you work for.
With a strictly limited number of permits issued each day, and only one hour allowed with a gorilla family, the entire experience feels precious from the outset.
There is an awareness that this is rare.
That what you are about to do is a privilege.
The Trek: Heat, Mud and Determination
The trek itself is, quite honestly, hard work.
The forest is dense, the terrain steep and uneven, and the humidity adds another layer of intensity. It is hot, muddy and physically demanding, even for those who are used to active environments.
Juliet, carrying her camera gear, was incredibly grateful for the support of the local porters who helped carry equipment. Armed with a walking stick for balance and protective shin guards to navigate the thick undergrowth and brambles, the journey became one of steady progress and determination.
There is no clear path.
You move through the forest as it is, guided by trackers who read the environment with remarkable skill.
By the time you reach the gorillas, you have truly earned the moment.
The First Glimpse: A Breathtaking Encounter
And then, suddenly, everything shifts.
The first glimpse comes through the leaves.
A movement. A presence. A shape emerging through the dense green.
It is breathtaking.
There is a quietness that falls over the group as you approach. No rush, no noise, just a slow, respectful movement forward.
As you get closer, the scale of what you are witnessing begins to settle in. The gorillas are completely unbothered by your presence. They continue as they were, calmly feeding, moving and interacting with one another.
And then you see him.
The silverback.
Massive. Powerful. Calm.
He exudes strength without needing to prove it. There is no aggression, but there is an undeniable awareness that you are in the presence of something immensely powerful. Respect is instinctive.
Your heart is racing, yet everything around you feels still.
Fully Immersed: Movement, Sound and Surprise
Being on foot, at eye level, completely changes the dynamic of the encounter.
You are not observing from a distance. You are within their world.
The forest is alive with subtle movement. Leaves rustle constantly, sometimes from a breeze, sometimes from the gorillas themselves, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly where they are at any given moment.
Some are on the ground. Others are higher up, partially hidden within the dense foliage.
And then, in one unforgettable moment, a baby gorilla suddenly drops from a branch above, landing just a few centimetres away.
It is unexpected, slightly shocking and completely magical.
Playfulness and Personality: The Baby Gorillas
One of the most joyful moments came from watching two baby gorillas playing together.
They tumbled, chased and interacted with a kind of innocent energy that felt strikingly familiar. At one point, they even stood on their hind legs, beating their chests in a playful imitation of the adults.
It was utterly captivating.
Moments like this bring a lightness to the experience, a reminder that while these animals are powerful and wild, they are also deeply social and full of character.
The Reality Check: Yes… the Smell is Real
And then, of course, there is one detail that no one quite prepares you for.
The smell.
Gorillas, quite simply, have very pungent farts.
And when you are standing that close, there is absolutely no escaping it.
It is one of those brilliantly surreal moments where you are having one of the most profound wildlife experiences of your life, while simultaneously trying not to laugh because of the very real and very human nature of it all.
Oddly, it makes the experience feel even more grounded.
More real.
More memorable.
Photographing and Filming: Capturing the Full Story
From a photography perspective, the experience is both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
The forest canopy creates low light conditions, requiring careful adjustments and a steady hand. But the softness of the light also adds a beautiful, atmospheric quality to the images.
Photography captures those timeless moments, the light filtering through the trees, the expressions, the stillness.
Video, however, brings something else entirely.
Movement. Sound. Energy. Interaction.
The playful energy of the baby gorillas, the subtle rustling of leaves, the quiet rhythm of the forest, these elements come alive in motion.
Switching between the two felt natural, each medium offering its own way of telling the story.
Presence Over Perfection
With only one hour permitted with the gorillas, there is an intensity to the experience.
There is a desire to capture everything.
But equally, there is a need to pause.
To lower the camera.
To simply be present.
Because moments like this deserve to be experienced beyond the lens.
Golden Monkeys: A Joyful Contrast
The following trek to see the Golden monkey offered a completely different energy.
Set in more open terrain, the environment felt spacious and light. The monkeys were playful, energetic and constantly in motion, darting through the landscape and interacting in lively, sometimes chaotic ways.
One pair even engaged in a playful scuffle, creating a wonderfully dynamic moment to capture.
Using a 70–200mm lens allowed for close, detailed images of their expressions and behaviour.
It was joyful, vibrant and full of life.
Conservation at the Heart of Rwanda
Rwanda’s commitment to conservation is extraordinary.
A talk from a Gorilla Doctor offered fascinating insight into the ongoing efforts to protect these animals, while a visit to the research centre founded by Dian Fossey deepened that understanding even further.
A Personal Reflection: Inspired by Dian Fossey
For many of us, the story of mountain gorillas begins long before we ever set foot in Rwanda.
As a child, Juliet remembers watching Gorillas in the Mist and being completely captivated by the work of Dian Fossey. Her dedication, courage and deep connection with the gorillas left a lasting impression.
There was something so powerful about the way she immersed herself fully into their world. Her passion for protecting these incredible animals, often in extremely challenging circumstances, was both inspiring and humbling.
To then find ourselves in Rwanda, walking through those very forests and witnessing the gorillas in their natural habitat, felt incredibly full circle.
It added another layer of meaning to the experience.
Because while the encounter itself is unforgettable, it is only possible because of the decades of conservation work led by pioneers like Dian Fossey, and the continued efforts of researchers, conservationists and local communities today.
It is a reminder that these moments are not just about what we see, but about what has been protected.
A Deeper Connection to Rwanda
If Rwanda could be described in three words, they would be:
Incredible. Immersive. Life-changing.
Luxury Wildlife Photography by JL Creative
At JL Creative, photography is about capturing more than just what something looks like.
It is about capturing how it feels.
From the intensity of a gorilla encounter to the quiet beauty of a landscape, every image tells a story.
Your Wildlife & Adventure Photographer
If you are a luxury travel brand, conservation organisation or safari operator looking for photography that captures depth, authenticity and emotion, we would love to hear from you.
FAQs About Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
What is gorilla trekking actually like, from start to finish?
Gorilla trekking is a fully immersive experience that begins long before you see the animals themselves. You start early, meeting your guides and trackers before heading out into the forest in small groups. From there, the trek can take anything from under an hour to several hours depending on where the gorillas are located that day.
The terrain is natural and untouched, which means you are navigating steep slopes, dense vegetation, mud and uneven ground. It is physical, but in a very rewarding way.
Then everything changes when you reach them.
The atmosphere becomes calm, almost reverent. You spend one hour with the gorillas, observing them as they move, feed and interact. It is not rushed, but it is intense in the best possible way. That hour stays with you long after you leave.
Is gorilla trekking physically difficult?
It can be, yes, but it really depends on the location of the gorilla family on the day.
Some treks are relatively manageable, especially if the gorillas are located lower down the mountain. In other cases, it can be a much longer and more demanding hike through steep and muddy terrain.
The rangers and trackers do their best to assess the groups and can sometimes allocate gorilla families based on fitness levels, but as with all wildlife experiences, nothing is guaranteed.
The key is to go prepared.
Good walking boots, a steady pace and a positive mindset go a long way. And importantly, there are porters available who can carry bags and assist along the route, which makes a huge difference.
How close do you actually get to the gorillas?
In theory, you are meant to keep a distance of around 7 metres.
In reality, the gorillas move freely and naturally within their environment, so they often come closer than expected.
There were moments where they were just a few metres away, sometimes even closer, particularly when they were moving through the forest or when the younger ones were playing.
It is incredibly special, but it also requires calmness and respect. You move slowly, avoid sudden movements and allow them to go about their day without interference.
What makes photographing gorillas different from other wildlife photography?
Photographing gorillas is far more intimate than typical safari photography.
You are on foot, at eye level, and working in low light conditions under a dense forest canopy. This means you need to adapt quickly, using wider apertures and steady technique to capture sharp images.
But beyond the technical side, it is the emotional aspect that sets it apart.
You are not photographing animals at a distance. You are sharing space with them. That changes how you approach every shot.
It becomes less about chasing perfection and more about capturing connection.
What camera gear works best for gorilla trekking?
For this kind of environment, versatility is key.
A mid-range zoom lens like a 70–200mm is ideal, allowing you to capture both close-up portraits and slightly wider environmental shots without needing to constantly change lenses.
A fast prime lens can also be incredibly useful due to the low light conditions, helping to create that soft, atmospheric look while keeping your subject sharp.
It is also important to keep your setup as lightweight as possible. You are trekking, often for several hours, so carrying heavy gear can quickly become exhausting.
And one final tip, always have your camera ready. Moments happen quickly and often without warning.
Is it better to take photos or video during the trek?
Both offer something completely different, and if possible, it is wonderful to capture both.
Photography allows you to freeze those timeless, emotional moments, the light, the expressions, the stillness.
Video, on the other hand, brings the experience to life in a different way. It captures movement, interaction, sound and atmosphere.
For example, the playful energy of baby gorillas or the subtle sounds of the forest are things that video conveys beautifully.
A balance of both creates a richer and more complete story.
What are the biggest challenges when photographing gorillas?
There are a few key challenges.
Firstly, the light. The forest canopy creates low, diffused lighting, which can make it tricky to maintain fast enough shutter speeds.
Secondly, movement. While gorillas can be calm, they are still unpredictable, especially the younger ones.
And thirdly, the environment. Mud, humidity and dense vegetation all add to the challenge.
But these challenges are also what make the experience so rewarding. They push you to be present, adaptable and fully engaged.
What should you wear and bring for gorilla trekking?
Practicality is everything.
Sturdy walking boots with good grip are essential. Long trousers and long sleeves help protect against brambles and insects. Gloves can also be useful when navigating through vegetation.
A waterproof layer is always a good idea, as conditions can change quickly.
And perhaps most importantly, bring water, patience and a sense of adventure.
What surprised you most about the experience?
Two things stood out.
Firstly, the emotional impact. It is far more moving than many people expect. There is something incredibly powerful about being that close to a gorilla and feeling that connection.
And secondly, the realism of it all.
From the physical challenge of the trek to the very real sensory details, yes, including the unforgettable smell, it is a completely immersive experience.
Nothing is staged. Nothing is artificial.
It is raw, real and deeply memorable.
Any top tips for someone planning a gorilla trekking experience?
Absolutely.
Take your time. There is no need to rush, the journey is part of the experience.
Be present. It is easy to get caught up in photographing everything, but make sure to take moments to simply observe and take it all in.
Trust the guides. Their knowledge is incredible and they are there to ensure both your safety and the wellbeing of the gorillas.
And finally, embrace everything about it.
The mud, the effort, the emotion, even the unexpected moments.
Because that is what makes it so special.
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