Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary is one of the few existing animal orphanages in the Democratic Republic of Congo and obviously a must-visit safari destination for travellers interested in seeing endangered chimpanzee (our closest relatives) as well as other exceptional primate species in captivity.
Location and size of Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Known for its high population of primates especially Chimpanzees, Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary is found in the South East of Democratic Republic of Congo, within Bukavu Town and a stone throw from Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga National Parks. Thanks to this Site’s strategic location near Kahuzi-Biega National Park that travellers can always make a stop at the Sanctuary before/after lowland gorilla trekking
History of Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Established in 2002, Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary is currently under the management of Institut Congolais la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), like it is with most Protected Areas in the country. Since it was founded, the Sanctuary provides a number of Conservation projects that include research of Chimpanzees, strengthening partnerships between local communities and International Organizations as well as Ecotourism Development.
Highlights
While the main aim of establishing this Center was to offer a safe haven for orphaned chimpanzees rescued from animal traffickers, illegal hunters and poachers, there are many other amazing animals to see here.
Presently, about 90 chimpanzees and over 100 monkeys belonging to about 13 primate species call Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary home. Expect exceptional sights and sounds of the vervet monkeys, Mona monkeys, blue monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, Owl-faced monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, to mention but a few. Besides primates, other animals that inhabit Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary are porcupines, turtles, the stunning parrots, most of wish are rescued from Kahuzi-Biega and Virunga National Parks.
Guided nature walks around Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Travellers to Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary can choose to undertake guided nature walks where sights of the primates are guaranteed. It is during these walks that visitors can also get the chance to interact with caretakers, researchers and other workers to work as a team to see the survival of these primates even after being brought in the sorriest state.
Daily activities of these chimpanzees begin as early as 7:00am when they are released from their confinement for feeding, starting at 7:30am. Before they are released, caretakers have to make sure that their feeding areas are clean to avoid any possible spread of diseases. Breakfast (mainly comprising of succulent leaves, or milk for infants) is served at the outdoor habitat.
Volunteering
Volunteering in Lwiro Chimpanzee Sanctuary allows travellers to contribute towards the wellbeing of the primates in addition to learning about their extraordinary behavior. Venture into the jungle to actively undertake conservation projects as a way of providing the chimpanzees the chance to interact with their cousins in a less aggressive environment as animal traffickers, poachers and illegal hunters had put them through.
How do i get there ?
By Road
Drive from Kigali Airport to Bukavu Town then to the Sanctuary.
By Flight
Chartered and scheduled flights are available to Kavuma Airport then connecting to the Center is by road.