Ultimate Gorilla Photo Expedition

Learn how to photograph mountain gorillas in Africa with advice from Nat Hab Photo Expedition Leader Richard De Gouveia.

Come face to face with wild mountain gorillas on an intimate East Africa safari spanning Uganda and Rwanda—an encounter that stirs the soul and lingers for life.

Africa’s endangered mountain gorillas have family units like our own, creating a strong human connection to these great apes. This primal allure is especially powerful for safari guide Richard de Gouveia, whose professional journey was shaped by childhood tragedy. Today, his love for family and nature inspire him to share Africa’s wild primates with travelers.

Rwandan ranger Jolie Mukiza has been leading nature travelers to view endangered mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park since 2012. One of three female guides currently leading gorilla treks in the park, Jolie hikes this mountainous area five days a week during the high season, delighting her guests with her enthusiasm, expertise, and in-depth knowledge of the local terrain and wildlife.

Join longtime Expedition Leader Richard de Gouveia for an in-depth look at the misty forests that shelter these endangered primates. He’ll share the gorillas’ natural history, close-knit family lives and the successful conservation efforts that have helped their numbers recover. Along the way, he’ll highlight how Uganda’s rainforests have changed over time and why protecting them is essential to the gorillas’ survival, bringing to life the deep connection between these gentle giants and the vibrant forests they call home.

Whether you're taking the trip of a lifetime or just heading out for a long weekend in nature, you may be keen to capture memorable images of the landscapes and wildlife around you. Photo Expedition Leader Richard de Gouveia shares his tips for creating nature images that captivate and impress. He'll delve into techniques like adjusting shutter speed and mastering aperture, as well as cover composition rules and the significance of eye contact, using photos from his own portfolio of African wildlife like lions, leopards, elephants, gorillas and chimps.

Prepare for the wildlife expedition of a lifetime: track and photograph endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda. Expedition Leader and professional photographer Richard de Gouveia shares details of this 13-day adventure, which includes four separate gorilla treks, as well as opportunities to photograph chimpanzees, golden monkeys and classic African safari animals like lions, leopards and elephants. Find out what to pack, how we travel, where we stay (some of East Africa's finest ecolodges) and more!