Bageni Gorilla Family

Bageni mountain gorilla family is one of the habituated gorilla families in Virunga national park. This gorilla group can be trekked from Gatovu and Bukima areas of the park. Bageni mountain gorilla family was formed in 2013 when silverback whom the group derives the name from broke away from Kabarizi gorilla family to begin his own group.

Bageni mountain gorilla family was one of the lucky gorilla families to have twins who unfortunately died at a very young age, Bageni left Kabirizi gorilla family with 20 individuals including his own mother Mapendo. Mafuko the silverback also gave birth to twins which unfortunately died before their first birthday.

Kabirizi mountain gorilla family is the family in which Bageni mountain gorilla family was formed. Bageni left Kabirizi gorilla family with 20 individuals to from his own gorilla family. Kabirizi mountain gorilla family was at first known as Ndugutse mountain gorilla family but the name changed to Kabirizi after an ICCN director died of traffic accident in the 1990s.

Other activities in Virunga national park

Other than trekking Bageni gorilla family in DR Congo, travelers can engage in other tourist activities below;

Visit Senkwekwe orphanage

The Senkwekwe orphanage was started 2010 to take care of orphaned mountain gorillas victimized by animal traffickers and poachers. Senkwekwe is the first established gorilla orphanage in the whole world. The mountain gorillas are offered daily care by experts in an enclosed forest near the park headquarters.

Visit Tchegera island

Tchegera island is the perfect place to relax from after gorilla trekking or volcanic climbing at Virunga national park in eastern part of DR Congo. The island is located off the northern shore of lake Kivu, the island provides spectacular views of four of the Virunga ranges, perfect flora and fauna of Lake Kivu. Tourists can use local canoes to explore Tchegera island, engage in sport fishing, swimming and much more.

Volcanic climbing

One can do volcanic climbing at mountain Nyiragongo at 3,470 meters above sea level and mountain Nyamuragira at 3,058 meters above sea level. Mountain Nyiragongo is the most active volcano and it has more than 40 times since 1885.

Gorilla permits for Bageni Gorilla group

DR Congo offers the least expensive mountain gorilla permits that can be offered even by budget tourists, the cost of each gorilla permits in Virunga national park costs $450 in the high season and $200 in the low season.

Best time to visit Bageni Gorilla Family

Volcanoes national park can be visited at any time of the year although some months are better than the rest. The best time to visit this park fir gorilla trekking is the dry season which happens to be from June to September and December to February and it’s during these months that the trails are also not muddy and slippery during this period