A Testament to Wonder: A Traveler’s Letter Captures the Magic of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

In the world of travel, some experiences are so profound they defy easy description. They are moments that etch themselves into memory, transforming not just an itinerary, but a perspective on the world. At Gorilla Expeditions, we are privileged to receive feedback from our guests, but occasionally, a letter arrives that so perfectly captures the essence of the journey that it deserves to be shared. Recently, we received such a letter from Susan Miller, a traveler from Colorado, USA, who joined us for a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda in September 2025. Her words, penned with raw emotion and vivid detail, serve as a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of encountering the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

Susan’s letter begins by describing the palpable anticipation of trekking day, a feeling familiar to all who have embarked on this journey. She writes of the “mist-shrouded peaks of the Virunga Mountains” and the insightful briefing at the Kinigi Park headquarters before being assigned to the Agashya family group. Her account of the hike itself mirrors the experience we strive to create: one of immersive anticipation. “The physical exertion of the climb, pushing through thick foliage and over ancient volcanic rock, only served to heighten the sense of pilgrimage,” she noted, “building anticipation for the ultimate gorilla viewing experience in Rwanda with every step.” This build-up is a crucial part of the journey, making the eventual encounter all the more powerful.

The moment of encounter is often where words fail, yet Susan’s description is breathtakingly accurate. She recalls the forest falling silent and the guide’s whisper, “They are here.” Then, the life-changing sight. “Mere feet away, a colossal silverback was nestled in the bamboo… The first sighting of mountain gorillas in the wild is a sensation that is impossible to fully prepare for. It is an overwhelming wave of emotion—awe, humility, exhilaration, and an incredible sense of peace all at once.” This description perfectly encapsulates the profound emotional cocktail that defines a close encounter with a silverback gorilla. It is not merely a visual spectacle; it is a deeply emotional event that resonates on a primal level.

What follows the initial shock is a period of fascinated observation, a privilege we are granted for one precious hour. Susan’s letter beautifully details this immersion into the daily life of a gorilla family. “We watched juveniles tumbling over each other in a playful game of tag… A mother gorilla cradled a tiny, curious infant… The behavior of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a lesson in family dynamics, gentle parenting, and quiet contentment.” This hour is more than just watching; it is a form of connection. As Susan astutely observes, it becomes a true immersion in the gorilla habitat of Volcanoes National Park, a privileged window into a world untouched by time. Her understanding of the permit fee as an investment in the conservation of mountain gorillas in Rwanda is precisely the awareness we hope to foster—that every visitor becomes a stakeholder in the survival of this critically endangered species.

The conclusion of Susan’s journey is as significant as its climax. “The trek back down the mountain was conducted in a mostly reverent silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts, processing the magnitude of what we had just witnessed.” This reflective silence is a common and telling part of the experience. It signifies a process of internalization, where a simple animal sighting transforms into a core memory. Susan concludes by affirming that the trek was “the most significant travel experience of my life. It redefined my understanding of the natural world and our place within it.”

Susan’s letter is more than a positive review; it is a mirror reflecting the profound truth of this experience. It underscores that a gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda is not a mere checkbox on a bucket list. It is a pilgrimage. It is a humbling lesson in coexistence. It is an encounter that leaves you, as Susan so eloquently put it, not just as a tourist, but as “an advocate, a storyteller, and a lifelong supporter.” We extend our deepest thanks to Susan for allowing us to share her story and for so perfectly articulating the magic that awaits in the high forests of Rwanda.

Suzan’s Letter below:

Dear Gorilla Expeditions Team,

I am finally back home in Colorado, but my heart remains somewhere in the mist-shrouded peaks of the Virunga Mountains. I’ve been trying to find the words to describe my experience with you last month, in September 2025, and “thank you” feels entirely insufficient. This letter is my attempt to convey the profound impact of my journey and my first-ever encounter with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

The morning of the trek dawned crisp and clear, with the majestic volcanoes piercing a sky of the softest blue. There was a palpable sense of anticipation amongst our small group at the Kinigi Park headquarters. After the insightful briefing and the captivating traditional Intore dance performance, we were assigned to the Agashya family group. The name itself, meaning “special,” felt like a promising omen. The initial stretch of the hike was through vibrant green farmland, which gradually gave way to the otherworldly landscape of Volcanoes National Park. The air grew cooler and thinner, filled with the scent of damp earth and rich vegetation. Our guide, Francois, was a fount of knowledge, pointing out fresh gorilla trails and explaining the delicate ecosystem we were moving through. The physical exertion of the climb, pushing through thick foliage and over ancient volcanic rock, only served to heighten the sense of pilgrimage, building anticipation for the ultimate gorilla viewing experience in Rwanda with every step.

Then, quite suddenly, the forest fell silent. Francois raised his hand, signaling us to stop. He whispered, “They are here.” We left our bags and trekking poles with the porters, taking only our cameras. We pushed through a final curtain of vines, and there we were. Time stopped. Mere feet away, a colossal silverback was nestled in the bamboo, methodically stripping leaves from a stalk with his powerful, yet surprisingly delicate, hands. The first sighting of mountain gorillas in the wild is a sensation that is impossible to fully prepare for. It is a overwhelming wave of emotion—awe, humility, exhilaration, and an incredible sense of peace all at once. He glanced up at us, his deep, wise eyes acknowledging our presence before returning to his meal, a silent permission for us to share his space. This was the moment I had dreamed of: my close encounter with a silverback gorilla. The sheer power he emanated was humbling, yet his calm demeanor was utterly reassuring.

As we spent our allotted hour with the family, the initial shock melted into pure fascination. We watched juveniles tumbling over each other in a playful game of tag, their joyful antics belying their impressive strength. A mother gorilla cradled a tiny, curious infant, its bright eyes peeking out from her protective embrace. The behavior of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a lesson in family dynamics, gentle parenting, and quiet contentment. The sounds of their contentment—deep rumbles, soft grunts, and the steady crunch of vegetation—became the only music we needed. It wasn’t just seeing them; it was feeling their presence. It was a true immersion in the gorilla habitat of Volcanoes National Park, a privileged window into a world untouched by time. I understood then that the cost of the permit wasn’t a fee; it was an investment, a direct contribution to the conservation of mountain gorillas in Rwanda that ensures these magnificent beings and their home are protected for generations to come.

The trek back down the mountain was conducted in a mostly reverent silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts, processing the magnitude of what we had just witnessed. That evening, at my lodge, the memories replayed in my mind like a beautiful film. The entire experience, from the seamless logistics you handled to the expertise of our guide, was flawless. You provided more than just a trip; you facilitated a profound connection with nature. This gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda was, without a single doubt, the most significant travel experience of my life. It redefined my understanding of the natural world and our place within it. I am not just a tourist who went on a holiday; I am now an advocate, a storyteller, and a lifelong supporter of the efforts to protect these gentle giants.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for orchestrating such a perfect and life-changing journey. I will carry the memory of the Agashya family with me always.

With deepest gratitude,

Suzan Miller
Denver, Colorado, USA

End.