Wildlife photographer Sobol treks into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to photograph critically endangered mountain gorillas. A map sets the stage and Sobol’s first-person narrative makes clear the challenges facing those who would see this reclusive species. Only about 650 mountain gorillas are alive today, preserved in wilderness parks on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There is a hefty fee for visitor permits; an hour with a gorilla family supports many of the other activities of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Sobol’s photographs give readers an idea of the land and people he encounters on the bumpy eight-hour ride on mountain roads to the village near the park, and suggest his struggles through the forest. But the photo-album centerpiece of this chronicle is worth his effort: Mothers, children and impressive, full-grown silverback males stare out through the vegetation at the reader. Attractive design using a generic African pattern enhances the presentation. First in a planned Traveling Photographer series, this will delight armchair explorers and animal lovers. (Nonfiction. 8-12)
