DISCOVER DR CONGO
Kabirizi Gorilla family
There are about 24 members of the Kabirizi gorilla family and the silverback which leads this group is known as Kabirizi.
Kabirizi gorilla family is among the gorilla families of Virunga national park in the Democratic republic of Congo. Virunga national park is the destination where gorillas can be seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo and it is located in the eastern part of the country. This gorilla family can be seen in the Bukima sector in Virunga national park. There are about 24 members of the Kabirizi gorilla family and the silverback which leads this group is known as Kabirizi. The name Kabirizi which is given to this gorilla group was got from the director of ICCN who unfortunately died in an accident.
Kabirizi gorilla family is among the 10 habituated gorilla families which can be visited during gorilla trekking in Virunga national park. The national park is also home to over 1000 gorillas which can be seen in the forests during tours in Congo. Another name which this gorilla family used to be referred to as was Ndungutse. The name was from one of the silverbacks in the gorilla group who was unfortunately killed during the wars in Democratic Republic of Congo around 1997. The wars in DRC have affected many of the gorillas and tourism in general in the country as a result of insecurity.
Visiting the Gorillas in Kabirizi family
Gorilla trekking in Virunga national park requires an individual to have a gorilla permit before taking part in the activity. A gorilla permit to trek the Kabirizi group costs 450 USD for one gorilla trek. Advance booking of the gorilla permit is recommended for those interested in seeing the gorillas in Virunga national park. These gorilla permits can be booked from the Virunga park office. During gorilla trekking in Virunga national park for the Kabirizi group, tourists begin from the Bukima patrol post. Briefing for gorilla trekking for the Kabirizi group is done at Bukima before tourists start the trek into the forests to search for the gorillas.
A group of 8 people are allowed to visit the Kabirizi gorilla family each day during gorilla trekking in Virunga national park which starts early in the morning. Rangers accompany the tourists into the forests during the gorilla trek. One hour is spent with the gorillas after finding them in Virunga forest and after this time, tourists return to the briefing point. The best time to see the gorillas in Kabirizi group during gorilla trekking is during the months of June to October although gorilla trekking can be done at any time of the year in Virunga national park. The other gorilla families to see in Virunga national park include Lulengo, Bageni, Rugendo, Nyakamwe, Munyaga, Mapuwa, Wilulunga, Baraka, and Humba.
