Rwanda is one of the famous safari destinations even without the fancy vast national parks like in South Africa, Kenya or Tanzania, but still Rwanda is blessed with a portion of the few last surviving mountain gorillas in the world. The mountain gorillas which are listed as critically endangered are only found in the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Republic of Rwanda emerges as the most luxurious and expensive gorilla trekking destination among all the three.
Gorillas in the wild live in groups or families led by a dominant male known as a silverback. The name silverback is derived from the streak of white fur that appears on his back as they mature. Gorillas in Rwanda are only found within the Volcanoes National Park, and boast hosting some of the most interesting and historical gorilla families.
The list of Gorilla families in Rwanda.
Rwanda has 12 habituated gorilla families that are open to visitors and these include:
- Susa A Family.
The Susa A family is the largest habituated group with 33 members and two silverbacks. The family initially consisted 42 individuals before it was split. This led to the formation of Susa B or officially known as the Karisimbi family.
Susa group has the honors of being the first family Dian Fossey started her study with, when she first arrived in Rwanda. It’s also one of the hardest groups to trek as it lives on the slopes of mount. Karisimbi, one of the hardest volcanoes to hike.
- Susa B / Karisimbi gorilla family.
Karisimbi gorilla family was created as a result of some members breaking away from the main Susa group. The group is now made of 16 individuals and resides on the higher slopes of Mount. Karisimbi. The group now stands as the hardest to trek, thanks to the defensive strategy employed by its silverback.
Its leader led his family to the higher slopes as a measure to limit interaction with other gorilla families to avoid trouble and also protect his group from aggressive wild silverbacks. If you need a physical challenge, this is the best group to trek.
- Sabyinyo gorilla family
This family gets its name from its residence, along the slopes of mount. Sabyinyo. This makes it one of the easiest groups to track as mount. Sabyinyo is relatively easier to hike than the other mountains near the park.
The group was formed after death of the leader of group 13. This forced a few of his females to team up with other deserters from group 11 to form the Sabyinyo family. Its leading silverback is one of the largest silverbacks to be recorded.
- Amahoro gorilla family.
This family is named from the peaceful character portrayed by all its members. The term Amahoro refers to peace in the local Kinyarwanda language and this group is renowned as one of the most peaceful families. However, this peace has cost it several family members as more individuals especially females are taken by aggressive silverbacks and their leader not giving back a fight. It currently has 18 members and one of the hardest to trek.
- Agashya gorilla family.
This group was formerly called group 13 until it was renamed Agashya. It was known as group 13 because, initially the family consisted of only 13 members who formed it. The group has since then steadily increased in number and now boasts approximately 27 members. It also resides on the slopes of Mount. Sabyinyo.
- Umubano gorilla family.
Umubano gorilla family was formed after Charles the dominant silverback broke away from the Amahoro family to start his own. The group has 13 members and was named Umubano which meant living together. Even after splitting, the two families live peacefully within the same territory.
- Hirwa gorilla family.
This is one of the newest groups with 16 members led by one silverback. It was birthed from a faction between Sabyinyo and Agashya families. More members joined the group to add up to the current population. The family roams around the slopes of Sabyinyo and Gahinga mountains. The word Hirwa means lucky as can be witnessed by the twins that were born to the silverback.
- Kwitonda gorilla family.
This group’s population adds up to 23 members with 4 silverbacks. It resides along the slopes of Mount. Muhabura and named after Kwitonda, the lead silverback. The group originated from the D.R. Congo to Rwanda. Their former leader was characterized as a humble leader.
- Ugenda gorilla family.
Ugenda has eleven individuals with two silverbacks. The group is always on the move that’s why it was named “Ugenda” loosely translated as mobile. It is also one of the easiest groups to trek and found around mount Bisoke. Guests who want to trek but need an easier terrain, this is the recommended family.
- Bwenge gorilla family.
Bwenge is translated as wisdom and the group has 11 members and a sole silverback. It was named after Bwenge, the silverback.
Visit the Republic of Rwanda to find more about different gorilla families residing in Volcanoes National Park and meeting them in person is an experience that isn’t easily compared to other Gorilla safaris in Africa.
The other two Rwanda gorilla families include Titus and Pablo gorilla families.
