Gorilla Photography in Rwanda – Rwanda is one of the three countries where mountain gorillas can be found, with the other two being Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mountain gorillas are gentle giants that can only survive in the wild, and once in captivity, they often become weak or ill and die.
Mountain gorilla trekking is a 2 to 7-hour activity full of adventure and breathtaking experiences, where people enter the thick rain-forests in search of mountain gorillas.
Once you find them, you will spend a magical hour with these gentle giants.
A mountain gorilla that is disconcerted but habituated will not be any different from the wild and unhabituated gorilla, so it is very important to remember that the strength of one adult male silverback gorilla is equated to the strength of four grown adult males.
You will spend some precious time with the gorillas, and photography will keep your memories alive for a long period of time so that you can share these memories with family and friends.
Tips on taking photos while on Mountain gorilla trekking
Once you meet the mountain gorillas, you are completely free to take as many photos as you wish; however, there are a few things you need to know and consider before you start snapping away.
Make sure you have your own gadgets and ensure they are fully charged, for example, a personal camera to take personal photos so that you don’t disturb other guests.
Being in a rain-forest, you may find the mountain gorillas in dark shade or with less light in their habitats, so make sure you have your light settings ready for this.
It is strictly prohibited to use flash photography. On this note, make sure your flash is turned off before you point your camera towards the gorillas.
This is because the flash might be misinterpreted as a threat, since it is not a common sighting, and the gorillas may attack you.
The time you spend with the gorillas is limited, so you won’t have a lot of time to prepare for photographing gorillas. It is better to prepare ahead of time.
An iPhone might be great, or the latest Samsung series with its awesome zoom-in feature might work, but if you’re looking at a camera, you’ll want a DSLR with a high ISO.
You will need to keep a distance of about 6 meters away from gorillas while taking photos, and this calls for a camera with a 70-200 mm lens, because it is great for lighting, and a 2.8 lens would be of aid in adjusting the light in the dark rain-forest.
You should turn off the camera sounds so as not to alert the mountain gorillas of your presence in their habitat.
After taking photos, put down the camera and enjoy the moment with your eyes.
Take in the experience and make sure you enjoy the moment to the fullest before you exit the forest.
In conclusion, if you put the above tips into consideration, you will surely enjoy the magical hour you will spend with these gentle giants.
Gorilla photography during mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda also spices up the experience with gorillas and allows you to carry unforgettable memories that you can share with family and friends.
So, don’t forget to pack your camera to enjoy taking snaps with gorillas while in their habitat.
