Mountain gorillas are one of the most magnificent creatures that fetch thousands of tourists from all over the world to come for a face to face encounter with these mighty apes in their natural habitats.
It is the most exclusive wildlife experience in Africa. It’s only done is three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Though these mountain gorillas are all the same, different destinations offer different experiences. Trekking the gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest is totally different from the gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park.
Travelers who trek gorillas in Virunga national park in Congo also get a unique package. Fortunately, it includes the Senkwekwe gorilla orphanage.
Senkwekwe Centre is positioned near Mikeno lodge at the headquarters of Virunga national park. The center got its name from a dominant silverback gorilla “Senkwenkwe” who was killed by rebels in 2007. He was the head of the Rugendo gorilla family and was killed together with three other members of the family.
This massacre left two orphaned gorillas, Ndeze and Ndakasi who were forced to live in a small compound in Goma town, an environment that wasn’t safe for these little gorillas. This was the major motivation for the construction of the center.
In 2009, the Senkwekwe center was built and by the end of 2010, two more orphan gorillas, Maisha and Koboko from Rwanda were transferred to the center. The four gorillas fitted in very well, though unfortunately. These two passed away still due to healthy issues.
This orphanage center is still a rehabilitation center for the eastern lowland gorillas that are secured from the animal traffickers. After rehabilitation, the eastern gorillas are then transferred to the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education (GRACE) facility in eastern Congo.
Being powerful and large animals, it’s not an easy task to care for them, but thanks to the team that monitors the daily routine of these amazing apes.
Waking up usually starts at 6 am, when gorillas are seen playing and receiving breakfast in the morning. Then they are let out to the garden where they spend the entire day. The fact that they are now grown up, they no longer need a lot of attention like before when they were young.
Returning to the enclosure is usually at 4pm, obviously bribed with more food. These orphaned gorillas are fed with porridge and probiotics at 5pm for dinner and then put to bed with fresh leaves that help them build their nests as well as feeding.
It presents stunning opportunities for primate lovers to contribute to the conservation of these great giants of the forest. The mountain gorillas closely interact with humans at the center; an encounter that almost all world travelers are looking up to.
The gorilla sanctuary is now a home to over four orphaned mountain gorillas. Once retained at the center, the gorillas stay here for the rest of their lives to just form a new gorilla family. They become so used to living with human beings and the comfort in the enclosure.
The gorilla family at Senkwekwe is made up of only four gorillas, Matabishi a young male who was rescued in 2010. Ndakasi and Ndeze, ten year females who just survived the 2007 massacre of the Rugendo group that was headed by silverback Senkwekwe. And Yalala, a female who was rescued from the poachers who severely damaged her foot.
Visitors to Virunga national park in Congo, not only trek the gorillas in their natural habitats, but also get the chance to visit this rehabilitation center that is aimed at the safety of the gorillas.
Don’t hesitate to go for that Congo safari, there is a lot that awaits you.
