Twin baby gorillas born in Virunga National Park during Covid-19 lockdown

Twin Baby Gorillas Born in Virunga Park Amidst Covid19

A set of baby gorillas has been born in Virunga National park amidst closure due to Covid19. Since March 2020, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been closed to tourists in a bid to protect the endangered gorillas from getting the deadly corona virus. The twin gorillas were born in Nyakamwe family, one of the largest gorilla families in Virunga National Park. The new birth has brought excitement and rejoicing in Congo giving hope for sustainable mountain gorillas tours in DRC. Park rangers discovered the twin babies while doing the daily gorilla tracking in the early morning. Virunga Park covers Congo’s share of the Virunga Conservation Area bordered by Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park in Uganda and Rwanda respectively. Mountain gorilla trekking is the most done tourist activity, which bring the highest number of gorillas to this park. Records tell that Virunga is half to a quarter of the world’s total population of mountain gorillas.

About Nyakamwe Gorilla Family
The family is headed by Nyakamwe”the dominant silverback” who plans for the entire family. The group comprise of 11 members inclusive of adult females, juveniles, black backs and the infants. The two newborn gorillas therefore bring the total number of members in Nyakamwe Gorilla Family to 13. The gorilla family is named after Nyakamwe, the head silverback gorilla.

Gorilla trekking in Virunga Park
As said already, mountain gorilla trekking is the top done tourist activity in Virunga National Park. The Institute Congolais Pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), a government body responsible for conservation and gorilla tourism in the Democratic Republic of Congo manages Congo gorilla tours. 8 gorilla families have been habituated for trekking in the Park. Gorilla groups in Virunga National Park are:
Kabirizi gorilla family
Humba gorilla family
Rugendo Gorilla family
Mapuwa Gorilla Family
Lulengo Gorilla Family
Munyaga Gorilla Family
Nyakamwe Gorilla Group
Bageni Gorilla Family
Each gorilla family is visited by 8 people a day for an hour’s interaction.

Gorilla Permits in Congo
Like in other mountain gorilla destinations, travelers going for Congo gorilla tours must have valid gorilla permits. Each day, 64 gorilla permits are issued at the Park head quarters. Each permit costs $450, which makes Congo the cheapest gorilla safari destination in Africa. Gorilla permit booking is recommended at least 6 months in advance due to high demand. In most cases, gorilla permits in Congo tend to sell out quickly limiting chances for last time bookings. You can book directly with ICCN or through Gorilla Trek Africa, the number one gorilla safari company in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of 28th September 2020, Virunga National Park is still closed to tourists but we hope for reopening soon.

Postcovid guidelines for gorilla trekking in Congo
Since we hope for the reopening of gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park any time soon, Gorilla Trek Africa brings you detailed postcoivd19 guidelines for visiting the endangered gorillas. These include:
1. You must have tested negative for covid19 at least 72 hours before
2. Keep a distance of 10 meters away from the gorillas
3. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water
4. Sanitise with alcohol based content
5. Donot trek gorillas when sick
6. Avoid direct eye contact with the gorillas
7. Do not use flashlight cameras
8. Keep within your group
9. Do not litter in the park

Other Top tourist activities in Virunga National Park
Besides gorilla trekking, travelers to Virunga National park have an endless list of things to see and do in the park. These include:
• Mountain gorilla trekking
• Chimpanzee habituation
• Nyiragongo Volcano hiking
• Nature/Forest walks
• Bird watching
• Landscape viewing
Conclusively, we continue to celebrate the birth of twin gorillas in Virunga National park.

Optional Safaris in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo

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