Gorillas in the mix: in search of Rwanda’s silverbacks

Two hours into a muddy hike through Rwanda’s Nyungwe rainforest and though I’ve been barked at by a baboon, crossed rivers of fire ants and stepped over a foot-long centipede, I have yet to see any chimpanzees, which is the reason I’m here. 

My guide and our team of trackers are on the path ahead, armed with machetes, rifles and a walkie talkie. We’re looking for an alpha male called Kuyu. His morning calls echo in the distance and my guide tells me we’re not far from him. I hope he’s right. I am covered in Mosquito repellent clothing, I’m hot, tired and my enthusiasm is waning. 

‘Look up,’ says my guide, and he gestures at a dark shadow that glides across the tree canopy above. We’ve found them! A tracker grabs me with one hand and with the other swings his machete and cuts through the bush. I lift the hood of my jacket over my baseball cap and pull the drawstring cords tight before I dive into the overgrowth.