Gorilla Photo Tour 2012

Mountain Gorilla, Rwanda

In my thirty years as a wildlife photographer, I have been asked one question more than any other: what is my favorite destination? The question is understandable, but summoning an answer is surprisingly difficult. Having said that, I do have a clear favorite: of all the wildlife experiences I have had in my career, nothing has moved me more than sitting beside Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda.

Why is being with gorillas so extraordinary? Because you simply cannot spend any time in their company without changing every notion you might hold about the animal-human divide. These are not mindless automatons – they are gentle, loving, and yes, thoughtful creatures with whom I felt an immediate bond. To watch gorillas at play, or disciplining their young, or just staring into space, is to feel a kinship unlike anything I have ever felt with a wild creature. Simply said, being with them is a life-changing experience.

It is an extraordinary photographic experience as well, since these habitiuated animals are often with a few feet of you for the entire time you are in their company. But if you are like me, you will have a hard time deciding whether to photograph or simply watch dumbstruck as these gentle giants go about their lives, undisturbed by our presence.

Needless to say, therefore, when I was asked to lead a Gorilla photo-safari to Rwanda in September 2012, I leapt at the chance. It is a terrific itinerary, combining two days of gorilla-trekking with several days in Kenya’s extraordinary Masai Mara, simply one of the top wildlife locations on the planet. I will be available at all times on the trip to help with technique and composition, as well as offering one-on-one help with digital cameras and workflow.

The one-time trip is offered by a good friend of mine, Ged Caddick of Terra Incognita – take a look at the itinerary here:

http://www.ecotours.com/dest_rwanda_kevin_schafer.html

If you’d be interested in joining us, feel free to contact Ged. Or, if you have any questions about the trip, contact me and I’ll help however I can. I hope you will consider joining us.