Mountain Gorilla Families In Uganda
Mountain Gorilla Families In Uganda. Uganda is a famous habitat for mountain gorillas hosting the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world with over 600 mountain gorilla individuals. Mountain gorillas in Uganda are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda is home to about 23 mountain gorilla families, hidden within the mist-covered rainforests of Bwindi and Mgahinga. These endangered primates live in closely bonded family groups led by dominant silverbacks.
For travelers planning a Uganda gorilla trekking safari, understanding the different mountain gorilla families adds depth and excitement to the the experience. Each gorilla group has its own personality, territory, history and trekking challenge. Some families live in steep jungle valleys.
Mountain Gorilla Families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is one of the most famous national parks in Uganda. It is a remarkable destination for mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World heritage site found in south western Uganda. It stretches over an area of 321 square kilometers. Bwindi impenetrable national park is home to the world’s biggest mountain gorilla population, recorded to be over 600 individuals. Consequently, some of the mountain gorillas in the park were put under habituation process and set aside for mountain gorilla trekking experience.
About 22 habituated mountain gorilla families are in Bwindi impenetrable national park. They include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye and Kyaguriro, among others.
Buhoma Sector Gorilla Families
Mubare Gorilla Family
Mubare gorilla family became the first habituated gorilla group and open for tourism in Uganda in 1993. It derived its name from the Mubare Hills. This historic family remains one of the most sought after gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi. It is one of the easiest gorilla families to track in Bwindi impenetrable national park in Buhoma sector. Silverback Kanyonyi is the head of the family. Trekkers often apprictiate the family’s calmbehavior and relatively moderate hiking conditions.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family
Habinyanja gorilla family is one of the first habituated gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park. The family is found in the Buhoma sector with 17 members under the leadership of dominant silverback Makara. Makara succeeded silverback Habinyanja. Habinyanja gorilla family was habituated in 1997 and by that time it was under the leadership of silverback Mugurusi. Mugurusi passed away due to old age, and was succeeded by two of his brothers, Rwansigazi and Mwirima.
Habinyanja gorilla family gets its name from a Rukiga slag meaning place with water which is a reference to the swamps where the members of this family were first seen. Brother Rwansigazi and Mwirima had different personality traits. Mwirima was fond of staying in specific areas and Rwansigazi loved moving which resulted into peaceful separation. Rwansigazi left the group in 2002 to form his own group in names of Rushegura family.
Rushegura Gorilla Family
Rushegura gorilla family consists of 19 members found in Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. This family was formed as a result of Rwansigazi and Mwirima separating in 2002. This group’s name is derived from a local slag “Ebishegura” which is a reference to the tree species found in the territory of this family. Rushegura gorilla family is under the leadership of 25 years old silverback, Mwirima. Mwirima is one of the strongest silverbacks in Bwindi forests.
Photographers particularly enjoy this family because of its relaxed nature and close encounters.
Katwe Gorilla Family
Katwe gorilla family is one of the newer habituated gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park found in Buhoma sector, this group was open for trekking in 2018 and currently it consists of 10 individuals including 1 silverback, 3 black-backs, 4 adult females and 2 babies.
Binyindo Gorilla Family
Binyindo gorilla family is found in Buhoma gorilla sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park consisting of 9 members with 1 silverback, this family is the latest gorilla family to be included among the habituated gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable national park.
Ruhija Sector Gorilla Families
Ruhija sector of Bwindi features high-altitude forests, rolling hills and exceptional birdwatching opportunities.
Bitukura Gorilla Family
Bitukura gorilla family is a group of 14 individuals found in Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. This group consists of 4 silverbacks and is under the leadership of silverback Ndahura who took over from silver Karamuzi, now a retired silverback. Originally this group consisted of 24 members during its habituation which was completed in October of 2008. Unlike other groups whose habituation takes about 2-3 years, this family’s habitation lasted only for 15 months. This was because of its gentle temperament. The family is known for peaceful interactions and scenic trekking routes through thick rainforest.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family
Oruzogo gorilla family is among the most entertaining gorilla groups in Bwindi. Playful juveniles, energetic infants and active family interactions make this a favorite group for many visitors. this family is one of the large family in the park consisting of 2 silverbacks and is under the leadership of silver back Tibirikwata. This family was opened for trekking in 2011 and since then many births have occurred in the family, females like Ntamurungi gave birth in June of 2011, Musi in October of 2011 and Kakoba in march of 2012.
Kyaguriro Gorilla Family
Kyaguriro gorilla family consists of 15 members under the leadership of silverback Rukina. Rukina grabbed control of the group from Zeus, an old silverback. Kyaguriro gorilla group is a special group set aside for research by conservationists who study various behavior tendencies of mountain gorillas.
Mukiza Gorilla Family
Mukiza gorilla family was formerly known as Kyaguriro before the split following the death of silverback Rukina who was the leader of the group, silverback Rukina was succeeded by silver Mukiza who was not strong enough to keep the family together which resulted into together. Silver back Rukara attacked the family and raided most of the family members leading to formation of another gorilla family called Kyaguriro B. Kyaguriro A was later named Mukiza gorilla family a name it got from the ruling silverback of the group. This family is in Ruhija gorilla sector and it consists of 13 individuals including 1 silverback, 6 adult females, 2 sub-adults, I juvenile and 3 infants.
Nkuringo Sector Gorilla Families
Nkuringo Gorilla Family
The Nkuringo gorilla family is in Nkuringo sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. This group gets its name from around hill were its members were first sighted, and thus the name Nkuringo which is a Rukiga slag. Nkuringo gorilla group consists of 11 family members and initially it was led by silverback Nkuringo until his death in 2008. Safari, one of the sons of Nkuringo, succeeded him. However, Nkuringo had two sons, that is Rafiki and Safari.
Bushaho Gorilla Family
Bushaho gorilla family is a group of 9 members in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. This family was habituated in the same time with Bukingi gorilla group and it is under the leadership of silverback Bahati.
Christmas Gorilla Family
Christmas gorilla family is in Nkuringo gorilla sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. This family consists of 9 members with only 1 silverback and it derives its name from silverback Christmas the leader of the family.
Rushaga Sector Gorilla Families
Rushaga sector is located in southern Bwindi and has the highest number of habituated mountain gorilla families in Uganda. Gorilla habituation experience is only done in Rushaga sector of Bwindi. Rushaga sector gorilla families include:
Nshongi Gorilla Family
Nshongi gorilla family was once the biggest gorilla family in Bwindi impenetrable national park with 37 individuals during habituation. The family now consists of 26 members and 4 silverbacks. Nshongi gorilla family gets its name from the site near the river where its members were first sighted. The word Nshongi is a local slag used as a reference to the deep honey-like color of the river. This family was opened for mountain gorilla trekking in September of 2009. During that time, the family consisted of 37 family members. In 2010, 10 members split from the group led by Mishaya. Because of the split, only 26 individuals remained in Nhongi gorilla family.
Mishaya Gorilla Family
Mishaya gorilla family is a split gorilla family in Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. This family split from Nshongi gorilla family in 2010. Silverback Mishaya led the breakaway, leaving with some female members from other groups to form his own. Mishaya gorilla family consists of 12 family members under the leadership of silverback Mishaya. Silverback Mishaya easily picks fights with other silverbacks in Bwindi forest. He was wounded during one of the fight. He survived the injuries because of the efforts of Gorilla Conservation doctors’ efforts. Treks to Mishaya gorilla family can be physically demanding but highly rewarding.
Kahungye Gorilla Family
Kahungye gorilla family is a family of 13 members including 3 silverbacks found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. The family originally had 27 members during its habituation but some members split from the family tp create their families such as Busingye. Kahungye gorilla group consists of 3 silverbacks that are Rumansi, Ruhamuka and Gwigi and it is under the leadership of silverback Gwigi. This family has active members and offers excellent photography opportunities to trekkers. Trekkers often observe playful juveniles climbing trees and interacting near the silverback.
Bweza Gorilla Family
Bweza gorilla family is a split family from Nshongi gorilla family which was once the largest habituated family in Bwindi. Its splitting away was led by silverback Bweza who left the family in 2012. Bweza gorilla family consists of 9 members and it is under the leadership of silverback Bweza. This family offers scenic trekking through dense vegetation and rolling hills.
Busingye Gorilla Family
Busingye gorilla family is a group of 9. This group opened for trekking in 2013 because of the split from Kahungye family in 2012. The word Busingye translates to peace. Busingye gorilla family is under the leadership of dominant silverback Busingye who is a very ambitious silver back and well known for stealing females from other groups as a way of showing his power over other groups.
Bikyingi Gorilla Family
Bikyingi gorilla family in Rushaga sector of Bwindi is under the leadership of silverback Bukingi. It is mainly for gorilla habituation purposes. Silverback Kaharata leads the family, having assumed leadership after killing the then dominant Silverback Bikyingi. The family was named after Bikyingi. Bikyingi died after a fight with the then solitary male in Bikyingi.
Kutu Gorilla Family
Kutu gorilla family is one of the newly habituated gorilla families in Rushaga, consisting of 20 members. Members include 1 silverback, 1 blackback, 8 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 2 juveniles and 7 infants.
Mucunguzi Gorilla Family
Mucunguzi gorilla family is a group of 15 members under the leadership of silverback Mucunguzi. This family is in the Rushaga gorilla sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Silverback Mucunguzi is a troublesome silverback that attacks other silverbacks and stealing female gorillas from other families.
Rwigi Gorilla Family
This is a newer habituated group in Rushaga sector of Bwindi. It provides a quieter trekking experience, away from larger crowds. Rwigi family cnsists of 1 silverback, 3 adult females, 1 baby and 2 juveniles.
Gorilla Families in Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga national park is in south western Uganda. This is the smallest national park in Uganda, covering an area of 33.7 square kilometers. Unlike Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga is home to only gorilla family that is Nyakagezi gorilla family.
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family
The only habituated mountain gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Nyakagezi. This family consists of 10 mountain gorillas with 2 silverbacks, led by dominant silverback Mark. Nyakagezi gorilla group is so unpredicted and it often migrates to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park. Their mobile nature makes them difficult to trek but currently they have settled in the forests of Mgahinga.
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda
Uganda is the only country where travelers can participate in a mountain gorilla habituation experience. Done in Rushaga sector of Bwindi, this unique primate experience allows visitors to spend up to four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family. This they do alongside researchers, trackers and conservationists.
The experience offers deeper insight into gorilla behavior, communication, feeding patterns and conservation efforts.
Best Time to See Mountain Gorilla Families in Uganda
Mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place all year-round. It is however the dry season from June to September and December to February that provide the best hiking conditions. During the rainy months, the rainforests become greener, more dramatic with trails become muddy and challenging.
Why Uganda is One of the Best Gorilla Trekking Destinations in Africa
Uganda offers an exceptional combination of biodiversity, scenic beauty, conservation success and authentic wildlife experiences. Unlike many safari destinations, gorilla trekking creates a deeply emotional connection between travelers and nature. This you can only experience when you visit: book your Uganda gorilla safari with Rowin Africa Safaris.
From the ancient rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to the volcanic landscapes of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s mountain gorilla families continue to attract wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, conservationists and luxury safari travelers from around the world.
Encountering a mountain gorilla family in the wild is not simply a safari activity – it is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences on earth. Get to be among the few that encounter them in their natural habitat. Contact us for your ultimate Uganda gorilla safari.
