Gorillas, particularly the mountain gorillas have over recent years gained reputation of being some of the most sought-after tourist attractions in the whole world. This is easily attributed to their majestic beauty, glorious gigantic bodies, and the fact that only a few surviving families can be found inhabiting the wild. Even these few survivors are only found in a tiny radius known as the Virunga Massif and Bwindi impenetrable forest.
The Virunga is a region shared by the three East African countries of Uganda and Rwanda and their neighbor, Democratic Republic of Congo. This article is however only about the gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The above factors in addition to a handful others have made gorilla trekking safaris highly coveted experience and seen thousands of interested visitors traveling to these destinations to experience the precious sensation of meeting gentle mountain gorillas of Africa. In this article, we will get familiar with gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi impenetrable national park holds the honor of safeguarding atleast 600 gorilla individuals a number that counts for more than half of the remaining mountain gorillas on earth (just over 1000 gorillas are recorded in the wild). Situated in the southwestern region of Uganda, this park is one of the last virgin wildernesses in Africa and has up to 18 gorilla families that roam its territory.
Gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park were christened names based on where they were first sited, the name of leading silverback, how there 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 which eventually led to the family splitting with one group following Mwirima and the remaining staying 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. The group took the least time to be habituated about 13 months compared 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 who 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. The group 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 which initially had 27 gorillas at its launch for trekking in 2011, was left with only a handful as the rest were taken by fascinating silverback Busingye who went 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. The group currently is comprised of 9 members and is found in the southern part of Bwindi impenetrable national park known as Nkuringo.
The other two gorilla families in Nkuringo sector are Posho, Nkuringo and Christmas, adding up to 4 gorilla families in this sector currently.
