“Get Up Close and Personal with Uganda’s Habituated Gorilla Groups”
Here is a List of Gorilla Families you can visit on a trek in Uganda
List of Gorilla Families you can visit on a trek in Uganda: Uganda’s habituated Gorilla Families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Each of these families has been habituated, meaning they are used to human presence and are considered safe for visitors to trek and see in their natural habitat in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Here is a List of Gorilla Families you can visit on a trek in Uganda
Here is a List of Gorilla Families you can see on tour in Uganda. There are four sectors of regions or sectors where you can track gorillas in Bwindi |mpenetrable Forest. Each industry has habituated gorilla families with its starting point or trailhead where the trek begins.
List of Gorilla Families you can visit in the Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
The Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has several gorilla families that visitors can track and observe in their natural habitat. Here are some of the gorilla families you can follow in the Buhoma area of Bwindi:
Mubare Family:
The mob gorilla family is a habituated group in the Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. It is the oldest habituated gorilla family in Bwindi and is na named Mubare Hills, where they were first sighted. The Mubare family has nine members: one Silverback, three adult females, two juveniles, and three infants.
The Mubare family has a fascinating history, having gone through several changes in leadership over the years. The family was initially led by a silverback named Ruhondeza, well-known among researchers and conservationists for his unique behavior and vocalizations. After Ruhondeza passed away in 2012, the family was briefly led by a younger silverback named Kanyonyi before being taken over by a new silverback named Bahati.
Despite these leadership changes, the Mubare family has remained a famous and beloved group among visitors to Bwindi. Tracking the Mubare family can be a rewarding and unforgettable experience, allowing visitors to witness these incredible creatures up close and in their natural habitat.
Rushegura Gorilla Family:
Rushegura, The Rushegura gorilla family, is a habituated group in the Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The Rushegura family has 19 members, including one Silverback, six adult females, two sub-adults, six juveniles, and four infants.
The Rushegura family is known for being very active and playful, making them a popular group to track. They are often observed climbing trees, playing with each other, and interacting with their surroundings in unique and fascinating ways.
The Rushegura family has a fascinating history, having gone through several changes in leadership over the years. The family was initially led by a silverback named Mwirima, later taken over by a younger silverback named Kabukojo. Kabukojo was known for his gentle and calm demeanor and was a beloved leader among the Rushegura family and visitors.
Tracking the Rushegura family can be an unforgettable and rewarding experience, providing disallowing visitors with unique personalities and behaviors of these incredible creatures firsthand.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family
The Habinyanja Gorilla Family is a habituated gorilla group residing in Uganda’s Buhoma area of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. This family comprises 17 members, including two dominant silverbacks, five adult females, two sub-adults, six juveniles, and two infants.
The Habinyanja Family is renowned for its remarkable activity level and has been observed crossing rivers during tracking expeditions. The members of this family possess a diverse range of vocalizations, grunts, and calls through which they communicate with each other, adding an enchanting element to the experience.
With a complex social structure, the Habinyanja Family is led by two dominant silverbacks. Although occasional conflicts may arise, the family often displays a harmonious and cohesive dynamic, engaging in grooming sessions and playful interactions.
Trekking to meet the Habinyanja Gorilla Family offers a mesmerizing opportunity to witness their unique behaviors, social interactions, and the natural wonders of their habitat.
Katwe Gorilla Family:
The Katwe Gorilla Family is a habituated group in the Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. This family comprises ten members: one dominant Silverback, four adult females, two juveniles, and three infants.
The Katwe Gorilla Family is named after a nearby crater lake and is known for being a calm and peaceful group. They are often found in the lower slopes of Bwindi, where they feed on bamboo shoots and other vegetation. The family has been habituated to human presence, making them comfortable around visitors and offering a unique opportunity to observe and learn about their behaviors and interactions.
The Silverback of the Katwe Gorilla Family is known for his calm and gentle demeanor, making him a beloved leader among the group. The family is often seen interacting with each other, engaging in playful behaviors, and grooming sessions.
Trekking to meet the Katwe Gorilla Family provides an enchanting opportunity to witness the wonders of Uganda’s gorillas and their natural habitat.
Binyindo Gorilla Family
The Binyindo family is a group of mountain gorillas who live in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The family is led by a silverback named Binyindo, known for his gentle nature and playful demeanor. The family also includes two adult females, two subadult females, and one infant.
The Binyindo family was first habituated to human visitors in 2018. Since then, they have become one of the most famous gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Visitors who trek to see the Binyindo family are often rewarded with close-up encounters with these gentle giants.
The Binyindo family is a valuable asset to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They help to promote tourism in the park, which in turn helps to support conservation efforts. The family also serves as an essential educational resource for visitors who learn about the importance of gorilla conservation.
Muyambi Gorilla Family
I am happy to provide information about the Muyambi Gorilla Family. This family is located in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and is one of the park’s most recently habituated gorilla groups. The Muyambi family was named after a river that runs through their home territory.
The Muyambi Gorilla Family has 16 members, including one dominant Silverback, four adult females, two sub-adults, five juveniles, and four infants. This family is known for being one of the more active and vocal gorilla groups in the park, making it a popular choice for visitors interested in gorilla trekking.
The Silverback of the Muyambi Gorilla Family is known for being a great leader, often displaying a calm and gentle demeanor. This family is known for engaging in playful behaviors, grooming sessions, and displays of dominance between the Silverback and other male gorillas in the group.
Gorilla trekking in the Buhoma area is an excellent experience that offers a unique and immersive adventure, allowing visitors to connect with these magnificent creatures on a profound level. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that provides lasting memories of the incredible encounter with these gentle giants.
List of Gorilla Families you can visit in the Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
The Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is another popular trailhead for gorilla trekking in Uganda. It is located in the eastern part of the park and is one of the more remote areas, offering a quieter and more secluded trekking experience.
The Ruhija area is home to several habituated gorilla families, including the Oruzogo, Bitukura, Mukiza, and Kyaguriro families; families have become accustomed to human presence, making it possible for visitors to observe them up close without causing any disturbance.
Bitukura Gorilla Family
The Bitukura Gorilla Family is one of several habituated gorilla families in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. It is located in the Ruhija secpark’s Ruhija sector and comprisestely 14 members, including one dominant Silverback, several adult females, and juveniles.
The Bitukura Gorilla Family was habituated in is known for its calm and peaceful nature, making it a popular choice for gorilla trekking in the park. Visitors who trek to find the family may encounter other primates, birds, and rare plant species.
Once the gorilla family is located, visitors can spend up to one hour observing and learning about the gorillas in their natural habitat. The experience of watching these gentle giants up close is truly awe-inspiring, and visitors may see the gorillas feeding, grooming, playing, and interacting with each other, providing a unique insight into their social dynamics and behaviors.
The Bitukura Gorilla Family is a unique and fascinating example of the incredible wildlife found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is an unforgettable experience that provides lasting memories of the excellent encounter with these gentle giants.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family
The Oruzogo Gorilla Family is one of several habituated gorilla families in the Bwindi ImpUganda’s penetrable Forest; the Ruhija area in Ugandaly is named after the Oruzogo River, which runs through their home range in the Ruhija sector of the foresdtThe Oruzogo Gorilla Group was opened for tourism in 2011.
The Oruzogo Gorilla Family comprises approximately 25 members, including several adult females, juveniles, and young gorillas. The family is known for its playful and curious nature, making it a popular choice for gorilla trekking in the park.
Visitors who trek to find the Oruzogo Gorilla Family may encounter other primates, birds, and rare plant species. Once the family is located, visitors can spend up to one hour observing and learning about the gorillas in their natural habitat. The experience of watching these gentle giants up close is truly awe-inspiring, and visitors may see the gorillas feeding, grooming, playing, and interacting with each other, providing a unique insight into their social dynamics and behaviors.
The Oruzogo Gorilla Family is a unique and fascinating example of the incredible wildlife found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking to see the Oruzogo family is an unforgettable experience that provides lasting memories of the excellent encounter with these gentle giants.
Kyaguliro Gorilla Family – Research Group
Kyaguliro, The Kyaguliro Gorilla group, called Rukara group, is found in the Ruhija section tor of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The group, The dominant Silverback Rukara, leads the group and is different from other habituated gorilla families in that the Kyaguliro group is solely reserved gorilla research by the Manx Planck Institute (MPI) for Evolutionary Anthropology which researches the group’s behavioral ecology and conducts daily monitoring visits to the group.
The Kyaguliro group’s Habituation began in 1995, and in 2015, the lead Silverback Rukina’s sudden death was due to lightning. After Rukina’s demise, the group was led by the inexperienced young Silverback (Mukiza), who was later ambushed by a migrating Adult Silverback (Rukara) from the Bitukura group; this fueled a split of the group into two – (Rukara and Mukiza) in May 2016.
Thento two also left the original Kyaguliro group with only four members. The Kyaguliro group is known for spending almost all its time in the inner Forest and very rarely gets close to the Forest’s peripherals. The group currently comprises four individuals, including 1 Silverback, 2 Blackbacks, and 1 Infant.
Mukiza Gorilla Family
Mukiza group, called Kyaguliro B, is found in the Ruhija sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The dominant Silverback, Mukiza, leads the group. The group was formed in May 2016 after the split of the leading Kyaguliro group. The family is ten members headed by Mukiza, the Silverback, four adults, four males, one sub-adult, and four infants.
Mukiza family was once un the Kyaguliro gorilla under the leadership of Rukina, who deceased in 20diedza; the young Silverback lost administration of the giant gorilla family leads, ng to a split group split walked away with a sizable number of individuals forming the current Mukiza family.
The Mukiza group is also dedicated to gorilla research byt= the Max Plank Institute, like other groups in the Ruhija area. Following the birth of two new babies in 2021, the group currently comprises 15 individuals, including 1 Silverback, 7 Adult females, 1 Sub-adult, 1 Juvenile, and 5 Infants.
Bitukura Gorilla Family
The Bitukura Gorilla Family in Ruhija is a group of mountain gorillas that lives in the Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and is open for visitation by gorilla trekkers.
The Habituation of the Bitukura group started in 2006. Bitukura, The Bitukura group comprises duals: 2 Silverbacks,2 Blackbacks, 4 Adult females,1 Sub-adult,2 Juveniles, and 2 Infants. Bituruka group is well known for multi-male tolerance, sometimes with up to five adult males simultaneously living in the same group. Bitukura group likes foraging around the Ruhija tourism station of BINP and sometimes along the forest edges in the sector.
Today the Bitukura Gorilla Family in Ruhija comprises approximately 14 individuals, including several females, juveniles, and infants. The group is led by a dominant silverback male named Ndahura, estimated to be around 12 years old.
Conservation efforts in the Ruhija sector and throughout Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are crucial to protecting the Bitukura Gorilla Family and other mountain gorilla groups from threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and disease. Ecotourism initiatives like gorilla trekking provide a sustainable source of income for local communities and help support conservation efforts among visitors from worldwide.
Gorilla Families. You can visit the Nkuringo area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
Ector is known for its rugged terrain and steep slopes, which can make trekking to see the gorillas a challenging but rewarding experience. Conservation efforts in the Nkuringo sector and throughout Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are crucial to protecting the gorilla families and other mountain gorilla groups from threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and disease.
Nkuringo Gorilla Family:
The Nkuringo Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla families that live in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda. The family is named after the industry in which it lives and is known wn for being one of the enormous park’s more established gorilla families in the pa gBlackback Rwamutwe heads Nkuringo group was the first gorilla group to be habituated in the entire southern sector of BINP since 1997.
Initially, the group had 17 members, but over time, some group dynamics have occurred, including the dispersal of some members, births, and deaths. The group faced an unfortunate incident where the then-dominant Silvpoachers murdered the then-prevailing Silverback Rafikik Rwamutwe and undertook leadership. The group comprises 12 members, including 4 Blackbacks, 4 Adult females, and 4 Infants. Nkuringo group is also the first gorilla group to record the birth of twins in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in December 2004. The group is famously known for foraging outside the park in the buffer zone for up to 98% of the time. This practice led to the displacement of the former local human settlers in the frontline villages in the Nkuringo sector to create a buffer zone to minimize the human-wildlife interface. This displacement followed an outbreak of Scabies in the Nkuringo group in December 2000.
Christmas Gorilla Family
The Christmas Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla families that live in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda. The family is named after its dominant Silverback, Christmas, born on Christmas Day in 2003.
The Christmas Gorilla Family is smaller than some other gorilla families in the sector, with approximately nine individuals, including several females, juveniles, and infants. The dominant Silverback Christmas leads the family, estimated to be around 18. Christmas is known for his calm and gentle demeanor, and the family is often observed engaging in playful activities such as wrestling and tickling.
Tourists can visit the Christmas Gorilla Family as part of a guided gorilla trekking experience. However, access to the family is strictly limited to protect the gorillas and their habitat, and visitors must obtain permits in advance and follow strict guidelines to minimize their impact on the animals and their environment.
Conservation efforts in the Nkuringo sector and throughout Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are crucial to protecting the Christmas Gorilla Family and other mountain gorilla groups from threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and disease. Ecotourism initiatives like gorilla trekking provide a sustainable source of income for local communities and help foster support for conservation efforts among visitors worldwide.
Bushaho Gorilla Family.
The Bushaho Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla families that resides in the Nkuringo sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda. The family is named after the dominant Silverback, Bushaho, who leads the group.
The dominant Silverback Bahati leads the Bushaho group. Following several individual gorilla dispersals from the Nkuringo group, a search for their whereabouts was launched in early 2012. It was discovered that one of the former Silverbacks of the Nkuringo group, Bahati, who had disappeared earlier, was leading a parallel group.
Some of this group’s members were former Nkuringo group members, non-habituated. What started as a follow-up exercise later led to close monitoring of the behavior of the parallel group. The group was later habituated and named ‘Bushaho’ after the topo name of the locality where the group forages most. Bushaho group is still under Habituation. The group comprises ten individuals, including 1 Silverback, 1 Blackback, 3 Adult females, 2 Sub-adult females, and 3 Infants..; anti-poaching measures and community engagement to promote sustainable conservation practices.
List of Gorilla Families you can visit in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest:
The Rushaga area is one of the sectors within the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. It is one of the most popular regions for gorilla trekking and offers visitors a unique and diverse experience.
The Rushaga area is known for its lush and dense forest, steep slopes, thick vegetation, and rugged terrain. It is home to more gorilla families than other sectors of the woods. Rushaga is an excellent destination for those seeking encounters with these magnificent primates.
Mishaya Gorilla Family
The Mishaya Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla families in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda. This family is named after its dominant Silverback, Mishaya, who leads the group.
The Mishaya gorilla group is a new group led by the dominant Silverback Tinfayo. Led birth of the Mishaya group occurred in July 2010 when the Shongi group split into two with a splinter section led by Silverback Mishaya.
On 3rd February 2014, the Mishaya group received a harsh blow when its sole leader ‘Mishaya’ died from an obstruction of the intestinal gut, resulting in remnant group members as they had no other adult male to exercise leadership.
Some of the members ended up joining the Bweza group; others joined the Bikingi group, while the whereabouts of others were not immediately known until May 2018 when they were re-discovered under the leadership of Silverback “Tinfayo” – a former member of the Shongi group who left his former family around 2012 with one adult female (Shida) and her infant (Rotary). Re-habituation of the group became inevitable to beef up close monitoring of the habituated members. Mishaya (New) group is composed of 8 members, including 1 Silverback, 5 Adult females, 1 Juvenile, and 1 Infant.
Nshongi Gorilla Family
The Nshongi Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla families found in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda. It is one of the region’s more prominent and well-known gorilla families.
The Nshongi Gorilla Family is named after the Nshongi River, which runs near their habitat. It comprises approximately 25 members, making it one of the most prominent gorilla families in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The family includes females, juveniles, infants, and a dominant silverback named Nshongi.
Nshongi, the family leader, is a mighty and protective silverback. He is responsible for guiding and protecting the group. The family dynamics and interactions within the Nshongi Gorilla Family provide a fascinating insight into gorilla behavior and social structures.
Visitors can visit the Nshongi Gorilla Family as part of a guided gorilla trekking experience. Trekking through the dense Forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be challenging but rewarding. Once the family is located, visitors can spend a precious hour in their presence, observing their behaviors and interactions and capturing memorable experiences.
Bweza Gorilla Family.
The Bweza Gorilla Family is a group of 15 mountain gorillas found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda. The dominant Silverback Kakono currently leads the Bweza group.
Bweza group members were initially habituated as a Shongi group until early 2013 when they detached and split from Shongi to form a new group led by Silverback Kakono.
Bweza grouse dominant Silverback Kakono currently leads the Bweza group members were initially habituated as the Shongi group until early 2013, when they detached and split from Shongi to form a new group led by Silverback Kakono. Bweza group likes to forage on community land adjacent to the park (where vegetation is more disturbed) than in the intact forest areas. Bweza grouse Bweza group comprises 3 Silverbacks, 5 Adult females, 1 Sub-adult, 2 Juveniles, and 4 Infants.
The name “Bweza” means “breakaway” in the local language, which reflects the family’s history. The Bweza Gorilla Family is one of the most active families in Bwindi, and they are often seen playing, foraging, and socializing. The family is also known for its close bonds between the members, and they constantly groom each other and play together.
Kahungye Gorilla Family
The Kahungye Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla families found in the Rushaga area of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda. It is a well-known and popular family that attracts visitors for gorilla trekking experiences.
The Kahungye Gorilla Family consists of approximately 13 members, including several females, juveniles, infants, and a dominant silverback named Rumansi. Rumansi, the leader of the family, is a mighty and majestic silverback who takes charge of projects, and the guideshungye group is headed by the dominant Silverback, Ruziika. The Habituation of this group started in 2008 with about 29 individuals, including three adult males (Silverbacks – Riziika, Busingye, and Rwiigi) who catalyzed frequent intra-male rivalry. In March 2012, the Silverback Busingye led fission that split the group. The Kahungye group has continued growing, and births have been registered. Currently, the Kahungye group is composed of 25 members, including 5 Silverbacks, 2 Blackbacks, 7 Adult females, 3 Sub-adults, 2 Juveniles, and 6 Infants.
By participating in responsible gorilla tourism practices, visitors contribute to the conservation of the Kahungye Gorilla Family and support the sustainable development of local communities surrounding the national park.
Busingye Gorilla Family
The Busingye Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla families in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable Fore in southwestern Uganda. It is a relatively new gorilla family that has gained attentirecently gained attention in the Rushaga tourism sector and is headed by the dominant Silverback Ruziika. The Habituation of this group started in 2008 with about 29 individuals, including three adult males (Silverbacks – Riziika, Busingye, and Rwiigi) who catalyzed frequent intra-male rivalry. In March 2012, the Silverback Busingye led fission that split the group. The Kahungye group has continued growing, and births have been registered. Currently, the Kahungye group is composed of 25 members, including 5 Silverbacks, 2 Blackbacks, 7 Adult females, 3 Sub-adults, 2 Juveniles, and 6 Infants.
The Busingye Gorilla Family is named after its dominant Silverback, Busingye, which means “peace” in the local language. Busingye is known for his calm and peaceful nature, reflected in the family dynamics.
While specific details about the composition and size of the Busingye Gorilla Family may have changed since my last update, it typically consists of several members, including females, juveniles, and infants, and Busingye is the dominant Silverback. About nine members. It is led by a dominant silverback named Bweza.
Bikingi Gorilla Family
Mucunguzi Gorilla Family
The Mucunguzi Gorilla Family is a group of 8 mountain gorillas found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.
Mucunguzi, the third and youngest Silverback of the Bweza gorilla group in the Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, leads the family. The other members of the family include five adult females, one sub-adult female, and one infant.
The Mucunguzi Gorilla Family was formed in 2015 when Mucunguzi broke away from the Bweza Gorilla Family after a conflict with the dominant Silverback.
The Mucunguzi Gorilla Family is known for their gentle and playful nature, and they are often seen playing with each other and exploring their surroundings. Trekking with the Mucunguzi Gorilla Family is an unforgettable experience, as you see these amazing creatures up close in their natural habitat.
Here are some interesting facts about the Mucunguzi Gorilla Family: “Mucunguzi” means “savior” in the local language.
The Mucunguzi Gorilla Family is one of the most active families in Bwindi, and they are often seen playing, foraging, and socializing.
The family is also known for its close bonds between the members, and they often groom each other and play together.
List of Gorilla Families you can visit in Mgayhinga Gorilla Park:
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family:
The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is a well-known gorilla family find Mgahinga Gorilla Park, located in southwestern Uganda. This gorilla family is unique as it is known for occasionally crossing the border into the neighboring Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family comprises several members, including a dominant silverback named Mark. Mark is a powerful and impressive leader who protects and guides the family. The family also consists of adult females, juveniles, and infants.
Gorilla trekking experiences are available to visitors who wish to encounter the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family. Trekking through the dense Forest can be challenging, but the opportunity to observe these gentle giants in their natural habitat is truly awe-inspiring.
List of Gorilla Families you can visit on a trek in Uganda: In Uganda, gorilla trekking provides a unique opportunity to track and observe habituated gorilla families in their natural habitat. The habituated gorilla families that can be followed in Uganda are located in two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Here are some details about tracking the habituated gorilla families in these parks.
Contact us about the List of Gorilla Families you can visit on a trek in Uganda