This is the incredible moment a huge silverback gorilla emerged from the undergrowth inches away from stunned tourists before posing for pictures during a safari in Rwanda.
Video shows a group of seven tourists sitting down next to park rangers in the Volcanoes National Park, northwest Rwanda, when suddenly the large male ape strides towards them.
One tourist can be seen quickly moving out of the gorilla’s path, missing him by mere inches, before the silverback moves up the hill and into the deep undergrowth while making deep rumbling noises – a sign of contentment.
The astonished tourists, overcome with what they had just witnessed, squealed with excitement while one can be heard saying: ‘Oh my god.’
Another clip shows the silverback mountain gorilla, named Lisanga, moving back towards the tourists and sitting down in front of them before posing for pictures.
A guide can be heard laughing in the background as the huge animal appears to be striking poses for the cameras.
The footage was captured by Cameron Scott, who runs the Royal Ngala Safaris travel company, in the Volcanoes National Park.
‘Lifechanging Silverback encounter,’ Cameron said. ‘A moment my guests will never forget. A large Silverback Mountain gorilla emerges mere feet away from my clients and proceeds to flaunt his majestic beauty off in a powerful yet graceful manner.’
‘These moments out in the wild are what it is all about and we can not be more grateful towards all the park rangers , trackers and conservationists behind the scenes that make all of this possible,’ Cameron added.
After posing for photographs in front of the tourists, the silverback can be seen marching past them – straight towards where Cameron was standing.
The quick-thinking guide pushed himself backwards into the thick bushes, successfully creating enough space for the gorilla to move past him and into the undergrowth
‘When a massive Silverback decides to move, you get out of the way fast. In this particular circumstance I had my back to thick bushes and had nowhere else to go. It was a close encounter for sure,’ Cameron said.
Volcanoes National Park covers 160 square kilometres of rainforest and is home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the wider Virunga Conservation area.
The national park was formed to protect mountain gorillas, which were facing the threat of extinction as a result of poaching and war.
Within Volcanoes National Park, tour groups are limited to eight people at a time, with only an hour spent observing gorillas.
Tourists are not allowed can’t carry food or even water bottles near the animals, lest a curious silverback snatch them and perhaps be exposed to your germs.
And tourists are told not to hold eye contact for too long. And if a gorilla acts aggressive — which is rare — look down, bend your knee and show you acknowledge its authority.
This is why in the video captured by Cameron, some of the tourists can be seen averting their gaze after a while and looking down.
