Numerous gorilla families live in Rwanda. Rwanda is one of the famous safari destinations even without the fancy vast national parks like in South Africa, Kenya or Tanzania. Rwanda has a portion of the few last surviving mountain gorillas in the world. The mountain gorillas, listed as critically endangered live in only 3 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 comes from the streak of white fur on the back of a mature male. Gorillas in Rwanda live within the Volcanoes National Park. This destination hosts 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 gorilla family
The largest of the habituated group families in Rwanda with 33 members and two silverbacks. Before split up, the Susa A group consisted of 42 individuals. This led to the formation of Susa B or officially known as the Karisimbi family. At the start of Dian Fossey‘s studies on the gorillas in Rwanda, Susa group was first. 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.
The creation of Karisimbi gorilla family resulted from some members breaking away from the main Susa group. Karisimbi has 16 individuals living on the higher slopes of Mount Karisimbi. This 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.
After the death of the leader of group 13, Sabyinyo formed. This forced a few of his females to team up with other deserters from group 11 to form the Sabyinyo family. The lead silverback of Sabyinyo gorilla family is among the largest ever.
Amahoro gorilla family.
The term Amahoro means peace in the local Kinyarwanda language. This is because all the family members display peaceful habits. However, this peace has cost the Amahoro gorilla family its members. More aggressive silverbacks tend to take individuals especially females from this group. Meanwhile, their leader do not fight back. It currently has 18 members and one of the hardest to trek.
Agashya gorilla family.
Formerly called group 13, because of its 13 initial members. Also, these 13 founded the group. Agashya gorilla 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 formed after Charles the dominant silverback broke away from the Amahoro family to start his own. Its name Umubano means living together. Also, the Umubano gorilla family comprises 13 members. 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. Its creation came 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 implies lucky, a trait witnessed by the twins 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. The former leader of Kwitonda gorilla group was extremely humble in nature.
Ugenda gorilla family.
Ugenda has eleven individuals, including its 2 silverbacks. Named Ugenda because this group is very 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 translates to wisdom and the group has 11 members, including a sole silverback. The group got its name from Bwenge, the silverback.
A visit to Rwanda offers immense information about different gorilla families residing in Volcanoes National Park. Seeing them in person offers an exceptional experience in comparison to other Gorilla safaris in Africa.
The other two Rwanda gorilla families in Rwanda include Titus and Pablo gorilla families.
