The Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Center is located at the headquarters of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was opened in 2010 and is the only place in the world where mountain gorillas have survived in captivity.
The orphanage was named after a silverback called “Senkwekwe,” who was killed during a massacre by armed robbers in the park in 2007.
During this attack, two young gorillas were left without parents. They were later named Ndeze and Ndakasi.
A decision was made to care for mountain gorillas that became orphans due to poaching, animal trafficking, or natural death. Special caretakers and gorilla doctors were assigned to ensure their safety and health.
Since 2010, six mountain gorillas have survived in the orphanage.
There are also a few eastern lowland gorillas in the orphanage. These are kept temporarily before being moved to the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center for orphaned lowland gorillas.
The gorillas have survived thanks to donations from local people, well-wishers, and organizations such as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Howard Buffett, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, World Heritage Organization, Gearing Up for Gorillas, Murry Foundation, Gorilla Doctors, and others.
Below are some of the gorillas that have lived at the center since it opened:
- Matabishi: Matabishi joined the orphanage in 2010. He was found near the edge of the park and is believed to have been abandoned by poachers who feared being caught. Matabishi was cared for by Maisha as if he were her own baby.
- Maisha: Maisha was the first gorilla to stay at the Senkwekwe Orphanage in 2010. She was born in 2001. Her name means “life.” In 2004, she was captured by a rebel group and kept in a cave in Rwanda. Rangers and police heard about her and rescued her in very poor condition. Gorilla doctors in Rwanda cared for her until she recovered. She was later returned to Congo at the age of nine. She lived happily in the orphanage, raised many orphaned gorillas, and acted as their leader until she became sick and passed away.
- Ndeze: Ndeze is the daughter of a female gorilla named Safari, who was part of the Rugendo group that was attacked in 2007. Ndeze was found clinging to her mother’s body and was later taken to the Senkwekwe Orphanage.
- Yalala: Yalala was abandoned after her family failed to rescue her from a snare set by poachers. The snare injured her badly, and her leg had to be amputated by doctors. She was then moved to the orphanage.
- Ndakasi: Ndakasi was also from the Rugendo group and survived the 2007 massacre. She and Ndeze were first kept in a house in Goma before being moved to the orphanage. She was one of the first gorillas to live at the Senkwekwe Center.
- Kaboko: Kaboko, like Yalala, was caught in a poacher’s snare. He was brought to the center and had a leg amputated. However, he later developed stomach problems. It is believed he died from stress during gunfire between rebels and park rangers in 2012, at the age of 5. The gorilla doctors were in Rwanda at the time and couldn’t reach him in time.
One of the special things about the Senkwekwe gorillas is that they have learned to interact freely with humans, unlike wild gorillas. Visiting the orphanage is free for guests staying at Mikeno Lodge.
There is a platform where visitors can sit and watch the gorillas play and interact with their caretakers. Other primates, like monkeys, also visit the area.
There are many places to stay in Virunga National Park, including Mikeno Lodge, Tchegera Tented Camp, and others. The park is open to visitors all year round, especially those coming to see the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage. If you plan to go hiking or trek to see gorillas or chimpanzees, the best time to visit is during the dry season from June to August.
