Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Centre in Rumangabo

Opened in 2010, the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Centre is a sanctuary for orphaned mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Senkwekwe is currently the only known orphanage around the globe providing shelter to orphaned mountain gorillas.

The Senkwekwe Centre was named after Senkwekwe, a silverback mountain gorilla of the Rugendo gorilla family killed alongside three others in 2007. The massacre of the four gorillas left behind two orphaned gorillas that needed immediate care and protection. Consequently, the Senkwekwe Centre was established as a sanctuary for the two orphans. Currently, there are four other orphaned gorillas at the centre, making six gorillas at the centre.

The Senkwekwe Centre is located right at Virunga National Park’s frontier in DR Congo at the Rumangabo park headquarters. Tourists visiting Virunga National Park for gorilla trekking and hiking the Nyiragongo volcano can organize a visit to the Senkwekwe Gorilla Orphanage Centre. Guests staying at the upscale lodge of Mikeno Lodge can visit the centre through the lodge reservation at no cost. The Senkwekwe facility is within walking distance of Mikeno Lodge.

If planning to reserve a gorilla trekking safari to Virunga National Park or hiking Nyiragongo volcano through Bamboo Ecotours, contact us if interested in visiting the Senkwekwe Centre for gorilla orphans.