Our 4x4 heads into the misty forest at the base of Virunga Naitonal Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

We met up with our well armed park ranger before heading into Virunga

A baby mountain gorilla from the Kabirizi family in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A gorilla watches a family member above in a tree while taking a break from munching on ants in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

I did not realize we had reached this gorilla until I was almost upon him. I crouched down and looked through the brush to see him staring right back at me.

A Kabirizi family gorilla munching down on some greens in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A gorilla pauses for a look at the strange man before him in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The similarity in expression to humankind is incredible in the mountain gorillas of Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The mountain gorilla is framed nicely by the leaves in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A mother and child gorilla move through the foiliage in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A young gorilla from the Kabirizi family moves through the vegetation in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

This mountain gorilla has a face of complete wonderment in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A mountain gorilla in the Kabirizi family in Virunga National Park watches as another gorilla eats leaves from a tree

A gorilla of the Kabirizi family in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Children gather for a group photo in their village near Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Young children gather to see a traveler pass through their village grounds near Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Congolese chidlren compete for space to have their photo taken near Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A young Congolese child is curious but serious near Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Park rangers pause for a snack as we climb Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A porter climbs Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A Congolese park ranger takes a break on the way up Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Nature forms beautiful abstract patterns in the lava lake in Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The molten rock begins to cool at the top of the lava lake, forming moving plates separated by fissures of fire in Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The crater of Nyragongo Volcano bubbles and smolders below near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A real life scene from Super Mario at Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The lava lake at the bottom of Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mist evelops the peak of Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

A cinder cone in the morning on the side of Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Magma illuminates the night at Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cresting Mt. Nyiragongo near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, I was awestruck by the raw forces bubbling before me. Inside the crater is a churning lava lake - I could feel its heat, and as day turned to night, the lava cast a red glow on all who looked on.

The heated air rises from the cinder cone in Nyiragongo Volcano near Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The sun rises over the volcanoes in Virunga National Park near Goma, D.R.O.C.

Dawn breaks on Goma as locals take their wooden bike-trucks laden with goods to the market

A thatched hut in Virunga National Park