Mountain gorillas may be some of our closest family members, evolutionarily speaking, but there are fewer than 800 left in the wild thanks in large part to humans' own destructive actions. Almost half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas, including the clan that Dian Fossey studied, reside in the lush volcanic hillsides of northwestern Rwanda.

Witnessing these sensitive and intelligent creatures, some say, is a profound, even spiritual experience, not least because it requires hours of strenuous trekking through the bush to find some of the remaining families. Rwanda, still overcoming the wounds wrought by its 1994 genocide, has taken a progressive stance on fostering ecotourism. So has the community-owned Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is perched at 7,000 feet with prime access to Parc National des Volcans, Central Africa's prime mountain gorilla stronghold. The centerpiece of the lodge is undoubtedly the views: Nearby, lushly

Mountain gorillas may be some of our closest family members, evolutionarily speaking, but there are fewer than 800 left in the wild thanks in large part to humans' own destructive actions. Almost half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas, including the clan that Dian Fossey studied, reside in the lush volcanic hillsides of northwestern Rwanda.

Witnessing these sensitive and intelligent creatures, some say, is a profound, even spiritual experience, not least because it requires hours of strenuous trekking through the bush to find some of the remaining families. Rwanda, still overcoming the wounds wrought by its 1994 genocide, has taken a progressive stance on fostering ecotourism. So has the community-owned Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge.

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is perched at 7,000 feet with prime access to Parc National des Volcans, Central Africa's prime mountain gorilla stronghold. The centerpiece of the lodge is undoubtedly the views: Nearby, lushly forested volcanoes soar up to 15,000 feet. The central lodge, comprised of a bar, dining room, library, and games room, has expansive decks for taking in these views, as do the five stone-and-terracotta-tile cottages and three suites, which also have fireplaces for cool winter evenings.

A safari company, Governor's Camp, built the lodge, but a community trust now owns it, leasing it back to Governor's Camp to operate. The concept is rooted in conservation: By benefiting directly from gorilla tourism, locals have a vested interest in the gorillas' survival.

Though most guests come expressly to commune with the gorillas, there are plenty of other activities to keep them occupied, such as trekking to spot the cloud forest's rare golden monkeys and birdwatching (Rwanda is home to some 670 species of birds). There are also nearby lakes, enormous lava flows, and a market town, Ruhengeri, which offers a glimpse of daily Rwandan life. Many visitors also choose to visit Rwanda's genocide memorials, which remind of a conflicted history that Rwandans are bravely remembering and coming to peace with.