Bageni Gorilla Family
Bageni gorilla family is found in the Virunga national park of DR Congo. Virunga national park is the only park in DR Congo where you can trek remaining population of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. The park is situated in the north-eastern province at the border of Uganda and Rwanda. The park has faced a lot of challenges like poaching, illegal mining, human-wildlife conflicts among others due to its diversity and richness but conservation efforts from the government and non-government organizations have enforced laws and regulations to protest its fame and popularity. This has promoted conservation and uniqueness of this UNESCO designated site.
The Bageni gorilla group is often seen around Bukima and Gatovu areas. Bageni became a silverback in 2010, he stayed with his father Kabirizi until January 27, 2013, they had repeated conflicts that led Bageni to leave with 20 individuals including his mother, Mapedo, to make his own group. The troop has since grown into a large and active group of Mount Mikeno, with its three silverbacks ranging separately across the territory.
Currently with 60 members, the Bageni family is the largest known mountain gorilla troop on Earth. The troop recently had a rare set of twins born in January to Mafuko. The twins sadly passed shortly after. The group has more chances to split into other families and this is because of the presence of many silverbacks in the family that normally cause wrangles. Virunga Park has different gorilla families and Bageni is the most visited and trekked in the park due to its calmness and location near the park headquarters. Other gorilla families here are Rugendo, Mapuwa, Lulengo, Munyaga, Nyakamwe, Wilulunga, Baraka, Humba and Kabirizi.
Trekking this family starts with purchasing gorilla permit which costs $450 USD and booking 3-6 months in advance is highly advised. When trekking the Bageni gorilla group, visitors are given only 1 hour to spend with the gorillas, during this time tourists can record videos and take photos of the gorillas as they watch them and observe their behaviours during the trek experience.
Other Activities to Do in Virunga National Park
Visit The Orphaned Gorillas at Senkwekwe
This orphanage was established in the year 2010 to look after orphaned baby gorillas, gorillas rescued from poachers, and gorillas got from the illegal wildlife traders. This orphanage is the first one of its kind in the world. The gorillas here receive daily care from trained professionals from nearby protected forest areas. Named after one of the silverbacks that were killed in 2007, the orphanage is located in Rumangabo near the park headquarters and Mikeno lodge.
Senkwekwe orphanage centre started with 2 orphan gorillas Ndakasi and Ndeze. Today, the number has increased to about 6 gorillas; Ndeze, Ndakasi, Kaboko, Yalala, Matabishi. They have been habituated and a visit to the orphanage is an irreplaceable extraordinary part of the safari.
Explore Tchegera Island
Tchegera Island is a crescent-shaped, remote retreat located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formed by a partially submerged volcanic caldera. The island forms the park’s southwestern boundary and is the only portion of Virunga located in the South Kivu province, specifically in the Kalehe Territory.
Hike Mount Nyiragongo
Hiking mount Nyiragongo is an exciting adventure that leads you to the world’s largest active lava lake. Mount Nyiragongo stands out as one of the world’s most active volcanoes, having erupted 34 times in recent centuries, with the most recent eruption occurring in 2002. This powerful eruption caused widespread devastation, displacing thousands of people as rivers of lava and ash flowed down the mountainside, reaching the shores of Lake Kivu. Despite the destruction, the mountain remains a captivating destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year who come to witness its stunning natural phenomenon, especially the sight of vivid red lava.
Hiking to the summit of Mount Nyiragongo is a rewarding adventure, offering hikers spectacular views of the surrounding Virunga ranges, lush forests, and other volcanoes. Climbing Mount Nyiragongo requires even greater mental and physical preparedness than gorilla trekking.
Bird watching
Virunga national park is a birders haven with over 500 different bird species. During your bird watching excursion, you will have a chance to see some of the birds species like Rwenzori Tursco, musaphaga, skimmers francolinus nobilis, Grey-throated Barbet, Double-toothed Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Madagascar Bee-eater, and Narrow-tailed Starling, African olive pigeon, white headed wood hoope, Angolan swallow, handsome francolin, thick bellied bee eater, strange weaver, blue headed sun bird, tropical boubou, Rwenzori batis, alpine swift, barred longtailed cuckoo, black headed waxbill, blue spotted wood dove, Bronzy Sunbird, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Croaking Cisticola, Short-winged Cisticola, Zitting Cisticola, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Banded Prinia, Little Rush Warbler, Eastern Rush Warbler, Bracken Warbler, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Olivaceous Warbler, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Mountain Yellow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Common Reed Warbler .
Nature walks
Walking through the trails in the rain forests of Virunga national park is one of the spectacular activities to do on a safari to DRC. As the ranger guide leads you through the forests, you will get to the most silent corners and be entertained by beautiful songs of birds. Also, expect to spot some of the park’s residents like the monkeys, elephants, buffaloes, lions, zebra, giraffes and crocodiles and hippos at Lake Edward. You may also spot gorillas if you are lucky.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits
A gorilla permit in Virunga national park costs USD $450 per person and this goes for all visitor categories above the age of 15 years. DRC provides the cheapest gorilla trekking permits compared to Uganda USD $800 and Rwanda USD $1500
You are advised to book you trekking permit at least 3-6 months before your actual trekking date. You can book you permit through Bujuku Eco Tours and Travel which is a registered tour operating company based in Uganda
Best time to visit Bageni gorilla family
Virunga national park is open all year through and is best visited during the dry season from June to September and December to February. During this period the country has little chances of and the trails are clear and traversable
Some visitors prefer to visit Virunga national park during the rainy season to take advantage of the low season discounts. The availability of gorilla trekking permits may greatly affect your trek than the weather itself
How to get to Virunga national park
Virunga National Park is located in eastern Congo. Most travelers fly into Kigali International Airport, then drive to Gisenyi town. From there, you’ll cross the Rwanda-Congo border to Goma and continue to the park headquarters. The journey takes approximately 2 hours from Gisenyi.
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