A close encounter with the mountain gorillas at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Deep in Rwanda's steep-sloped forest, increasing numbers of tourists are heading to see the mountain gorillas, a subspecies whose total population is an estimated 900 and who also live in neighboring Uganda and Congo, fueling an industry seen as key to the welfare of the critically endangered species as well as Rwanda's economy.
A male silverback mountain gorilla from the family of mountain gorillas named Amahoro, which means "peace" in the Rwandan language, sits in the dense forest on the slopes of Mount Bisoke volcano in Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
Tourists Sarah and John Scott from Worcester, England, take a step back as a male silverback mountain gorilla steps out from the bush to cross their path in the dense forest on the slopes of Mount Bisoke volcano in Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
The peak of Mount Bisoke volcano where mountain gorillas live is seen above the flowers of potatoes grown by local farmers just outside the boundary of Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
Park rangers lead tourists to locate a family of mountain gorillas named Amahoro, which means "peace" in the Rwandan language, in the dense forest on the slopes of Mount Bisoke volcano in Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
Tourists climb through dense vegetation and forest to see the mountain gorillas on Mount Bisoke volcano in Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
Member of a family of mountain gorillas named Amahoro, which means "peace" in the Rwandan language, rest in the dense forest on the slopes of Mount Bisoke volcano in Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
A baby mountain gorilla clings to the back of its mother as she forages for food in the dense forest on the slopes of Mount Bisoke volcano in Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
Park guide Ferdinand Ndamiyabo briefs tourists before their trek to see the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
Local farmers work on the land just outside Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press
Members of a family of mountain gorillas named Amahoro, which means "peace" in the Rwandan language,rest in the dense forest on the slopes of Mount Bisoke volcano in Volcanoes National Park, northern Rwanda.Ben Curtis/The Associated Press