Rwanda

Close-up of a gorilla's face with expressive brown eyes and black fur, surrounded by green leaves.
A brightly colored robin chat with yellow, black, white, gray, and orange feathers perched on a textured piece of wood, with a blurred green background.
Close-up black and white photo of a gorilla's face showing detailed facial features and expression.
Close-up of a baby gorilla resting on the back of an adult gorilla.
A colorful variable sunbird perched on a branch with its beak open.
Close-up of a gorilla's fist, covered in dirt, with visible dirt under the nails, surrounded by foliage.
A large adult gorilla sitting in a green forest, holding and examining a food.
A close-up black and white photo of a gorilla's hand gripping a branch with ferns in the foreground.
A yellow bird perched on a branch among green leaves and brown seed pods.
A large, muscular gorilla standing in dense green forest foliage.
A speckled mousebird with a prominent crest perched on green foliage with berries, with a blurred green background.
A black and white photograph of a gorilla sitting among dense foliage, looking over its shoulder.
A gorilla sitting among green foliage in a jungle with a contemplative expression.
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Three weeks ago, I trekked through Volcanoes National Park to photograph two of Rwanda's mountain gorilla families: Umubano and Muhoza. The seven-hour climb to reach the Muhoza family through thick mud and 1,000 meters of elevation tested everything I thought I knew about gorilla trekking. When we found them, the family's babies became the highlight. Their curious, playful behavior gave me some of the most engaging shots of the trip.

The second trek to the Umubano family brought different drama. Silverbacks erupted into a confrontation with our group caught in the middle. The guides moved us quickly. The intensity was immediate, the resolution quick, and the experience unforgettable. I also photographed Charles, Umubano's legendary dominant silverback. Between treks, I captured white-starred robin chats and speckled mousebirds in the surrounding forests.

Shot with a 100-400mm lens in challenging light and dense vegetation. A portion of print proceeds supports Gorilla Doctors' veterinary work with these exact gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park.