Senkwekwe Gorilla orphanage

The Senkwekwe Gorilla orphanage is the world’s only gorilla orphanage and this orphanage is located within the Virunga national park. The Virunga national park is located in the Democratic republic of Congo and this is the most visited national park mainly because of the mountain gorilla presence and is considered the safest national park of the country. The mountain gorillas are previously a critically endangered animal species so the idea of a gorilla orphanage is a great one.

The mountain gorillas are currently living in only 2 places in the entire world and these are in the Albertine Rift and the Bwindi impenetrable forest. Big numbers over the years have booked a mountain gorilla trekking permit for a chance to visit these gentle giants in their natural habitat. There are three countries that offer a chance to trek the mountain gorillas and these are Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo. The experience of trekking mountain gorillas differs per destination even the activity is different.

The Virunga national park for example the highlight and different factor of the mountain gorilla trekking experience is the fact that guests get to visit the world’s only mountain gorilla orphanage, Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage after experiencing the mountain gorillas in the wild. The Senkwekwe gorilla is definitely one of the greatest moves in the conservation of wildlife in Africa.

About the orphanage

The Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage is situated in the compound of the luxurious Mikeno lodge and guests who book a stay at this lodge get to enjoy this orphanage anytime of the day. This Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage was named after the one silverback gorilla called Senkwekwe that led the Rugendo gorilla group in 2007, one of the trying times of the region as it was under attack by a rebel group that was hiding in the forest.

The first occupants of the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage were the Ndezi and Ndakasi whose parents were victims of the massacre and these two survived and were rescued and put in the center to give them a second chance at life. This is when the idea came up and was implemented to have a center that will cater for the younger gorillas that may have lost their parents in the wild.

The Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage has been up and running since 2010 and this is the only one of its kind. The Democratic republic of Congo has another of its kind called the Lwiro Chimpanzee sanctuary in the Kahuzi Biega national park south of the DR Congo. The orphaned gorillas have been seen thriving in this center and this is the only known place where the mountain gorillas have survived in captivity.

Since the orphanage reopened in 2010, the center has hosted 6 orphaned mountain gorillas and these have been at the center after being rescued until they get old. These mountain gorillas may not be able to survive in the wild again as they are being used to being fed by caregivers.

A few of these other gorilla babies besides Ndezi and Ndakasi were Maisha, a 2001 born baby, the first orphan that was received at the Senkwekwe Gorilla sanctuary however in 2004 this baby was abducted and taken in cave in Rwanda and even after she was returned back to center, her health went low until she finally died. The center also had Yalala a female orphaned gorilla who was rescued from a snare trap set by poachers. There was also Kaboko, a male orphaned gorilla, who was also set free from a snare set by poachers.

Poachers are big threats to the mountain gorillas as seen in the past statements. The orphanage also welcomed Matabishi who was a young male gorilla. He joined the orphanage in June 2010 after he was found abandoned in a corn field near the park. This orphanage is run by caretakers, gorilla doctors and the staff from the Virunga national park and by visiting the orphanage, you also contribute to it.

Visiting the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage is a must do on your Congo safari headed to the Virunga national park. We look forward to hearing from you about this visit.