 Charles-Guillaume's sons grew up outside Nairobi in Kenya and de Merode studied at the Banda School before attending Downside School and Durham University in the United Kingdom.Emmanuel earned a PhD in Anthropology from University College, London (UCL), having concentrated on Congolese conservation issues.He has lived in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire) since 1993, currently residing in Rumangabo, Virunga National Park's headquarters.