Gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offer a variety of encounters with them. Mountain gorillas, have over recent years been some of the most sought-after tourist attractions in the whole world. This is easily attributed to their majestic beauty and glorious gigantic bodies. Also the fact that only a few surviving families can be found inhabiting the wild is a factor. Even these few survivors are only found in a tiny radius known as the Virunga Massif and Bwindi impenetrable forest.
The Virunga region is shared by three East African countries. One is Uganda, then Rwanda and their neighbor, Democratic Republic of Congo. This article is however only about the gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park holds the honor of safeguarding at least 459 gorilla individuals. This is a number that counts for almost half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth. Just over 1000 mountain gorillas exist in records of the forest. Situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, this park is one of the last virgin wildernesses in Africa. Inside, there are up to 23 gorilla families that roam its territory.
At least 18 gorilla gropus can be trekked. At the moment, track a gorilla family for only $800 per day for Foreign nonresidents. If you are a Foreign resident, pay only $700. Uganda Wildlife Authority has introduced discounted gorilla permits during low seasons. Trekking is offered at $600 for FNR and $500 for FR. Gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park were christened names based on where they were first sited. Some are named after the lead silverback or even how they were formed among others.
Gorilla families in Buhoma Sector.
- Mubare gorilla family.
The Mubare group was the first to be habituated back in the month of October, 1991 and was then headed by Ruhondeza, the lead silverback. At the beginning of its habituation, Mubare gorilla group had 18 members but due to illegal hunting and death of its leader, the numbers kept dwindling to currently eight members.
Mubare is now led by Kanyonyi the silverback. It derives its name from Mubare hills where the family still lives around.
- Habinyanja gorilla family.
Habinyanja gorilla group gets its name from the local Rukiga term “habinyanja” loosely translated as water. This is because it was encountered near a swamp in Buhoma gorilla sector. It was initially ruled by Mugurisi but after his death, his two brothers assumed control. Eventually, this resulted into the family splitting. One group followed Mwirima and the remainders stayed with Rwansingazi. The Habinyanja gorilla family is now led by Makara, the silverback.
- Rushegura gorilla family.
The family gets its name from a location (Rushegura) where a once large family decided to split peacefully after the death of their former leader Munguris. Mwirima one of the brothers went on with 12 followers in 2002 and has seen that number rise to 19. The group is known for being the most calm gorilla group among all habituated families and used to be encountered in the nearby villages and lodges.
Families in Ruhija Gorilla Sector.
- Oruzogo gorilla family.
Oruzogo gorilla group is the second-largest habituated family with 25 members in the group and is well known for its playfulness character among its members and one of the best groups to visit in the Ruhija sector. It has intriguing members like “Busungu” meaning hot-tempered, “Kaganga” the giant one, and “Bwoba” the coward.
- Bitukura gorilla family.
The family is located in the Ruhija sector and was first sighted back in 2007 with originally 24 individuals. Bitukura group took the least time to be habituated, about 13 months. This is in comparison to the 2 years it normally takes for a group to be fully familiar with guest presence.
This was attributed to its close relationship with the Kyaguriro group that allowed it to cross paths with rangers even before the process started which shortened it to just a year. The group is made up of 14 members currently, led by Ndahura the silverback.
- Mishaya gorilla family.
Mishaya gorilla group is composed of 12 members and still has aggressive traits of its former leader Mishaya. The latter was aggressive and picked up fights with any other group encountered. Mishaya broke away from the larger Nshongi group to begin his group with 10 individuals. Mishaya is located in the Rushaga sector and can be visited by 8 permitted people daily.
- Kyaguriro gorilla family.
This perhaps is the most cherished group in the whole of Uganda since 1999 when it was habituated. Found in the Ruhija sector, it has 15 members and greatly contributed and still aiding in the efforts of study and research the differences of the Bwindi gorillas and those in the Virunga national park. This has speeded up the conservation process as new data is picked daily.
Families in Rushaga gorilla sector.
- Bweza gorilla group.
Initially, this family belonged to the Nshongi family before the leading silverback Bweza broke away to form his dynasty. The family is currently composed of 9 members and is found easily in the Rushaga gorilla sector.
- Nshongi gorilla family.
Nshongi family derives its name from River Nshongi where it was first sighted. The group was the largest habituated group with 36 members in 2009 but a breakaway by Mishaya reduced it by 10 members. As if this was not enough Bweza also had a few members leaving the once large family with only 26 family members.
- Kahungye gorilla family.
This is one of the recent families and holds 13 gorilla individuals with 3 silverbacks. The group initially had 27 gorillas at its launch for trekking in 2011. Now, Kahungye group is left with only a handful as the rest were taken by fascinating silverback Busingye. Busingye had left to form his group. Gwigi is the current leader.
- Busingye gorilla family.
This group is led by one of the most intriguing silverbacks in all groups known as Busingye. Deriving its name from Busingye a local word meaning peace their leader is nothing as close as to its definition. Busingye is famous for picking up fights with other groups whenever chances arise and was part of the section that broke away from the Kahungye gorilla family. His aggressiveness has seen the group rise to 9 members achieved by snatching females from other groups.
Gorilla groups in Nkuringo sector.
- Bushaho gorilla family.
This is one of the most rapidly expanding groups due to the aggressive traits of its leader, Bahati. It is found in the southern part of the park, known as Nkuringo. Nkuringo currently comprises of 9 members and is
The other two gorilla families in Nkuringo sector are Posho, Nkuringo and Christmas, adding up to 4 gorilla families in this sector currently.
