Gorilla Families in Uganda 2021/2022
Tracking to view mountain gorillas in the wild is by far a lifetime experience. Visitors on gorilla tracking safari are assigned to track one of the habituated gorilla families in Uganda. Currently, Uganda is comprised of about 21 habituated gorilla groups and they can be tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla treks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park begin from anyone of its four gorilla sectors that is Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buhoma and Ruhija.
Mubare gorilla family: Mubare gorilla family is one of the gorilla families in Uganda which is open to tourists on Uganda gorilla safari to track. It is the oldest gorilla group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This family underwent habituation in 1991 and by 1993 it was opened to trekkers on Uganda gorilla trekking safari to explore. It is composed of about 11 individuals including Kanyonyi silverback who succeeded over the leadership of his father ‘Ruhondeza’ when he died in 2012. If you are searching for easier gorilla family to track then Mubare group should be a must-trek on Uganda gorilla tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Rushegura gorilla group: This is sister group to Habinyanja gorilla family. It is trekked in Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The group opened for tracking in 2002 and it broke away from Habinyanja gorilla group under Mwirima silverback. It is composed of larger group members and at the time of splitting, the family consisted of 7 members. Mwirima silverback unfortunately passed on and Kabukojo took over. Presently, it is made of 19 members.
Habinyanja gorilla family: Habinyanja gorilla family is known for its migratory behavior but presently, it has stabilized. It is also called the H-Group and it is a habituated family in the Northern region-Buhoma gorilla trekking region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Unlike other groups, this gorilla family underwent habituation in 1997 and derives its name from Rukiga word-Nyanja denoting to an area with water. During habituation, it was led by Mugurusi a word which denotes to an Old man. Tracking this group can take you 5 hours less or more depending on your physical wellness, nature of habitat and location of its group members in the course of the day.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family:Oruzogo group was officially opened to trekkers on Uganda gorilla tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to explore on 20th June 2011 this makes it one of the newly habituated gorilla families in Uganda. This group presently features about 23 individuals and it is led by Tibirikwata silverback. Exploring this gorilla family lets you enjoy playful juveniles. This habituated family is trekked by visitors on gorilla safari in Ruhija sector.
Nshongi gorilla family: This is a habituated gorilla family in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It takes its name from the nearby stream known as Omushongi Gwoboki which denotes honey. It was officially opened for tracking in September, 2009 and at the time, it composed of 36 members. However, due to split which started in July 2010 with Mishaya splitting away with about 10 individuals, the group remained with about 26 individuals.
Nkuringo gorilla family: This gorilla family takes its name from Nkuringo silverback which in Rukiga denotes round hill. Nkuringo group is that one challenging gorilla family enthusiastic primate lovers should expect to explore on Uganda gorilla safari in Nkuringo region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It successfully completed habituation process in 2004 and their leader passed on about 4 years after. He left 2 sons-Rafiki and Safari. Safari succeeded the leadership of his father. After a period of about 7 months, the group welcomed twins-Muhoozi and Karungi. However, Karungi passed on and presently, the family is composed of 19 individuals.
Kahungye Gorilla group: This group takes its name from the hill where it was founded. It was opened for tracking in October, 2011 and holds a unique history worth exploring on Uganda gorilla tracking safari. Kahungye gorilla family features about 27 individuals and led by Gwigi silverback.
Mishaya Gorilla Family: This gorilla family split from Nshongi around 2010 and it is trekked by visitors on Uganda gorilla safari in Rushaga region, the Southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Presently, this group welcomed a newborn baby gorilla which increased the number of its members to 12. It was led by Mishaya silverback who died in February 2014.
Bweza Gorilla Family: This group is under the leadership of Kakono silverback and consists of 12 members. It is a product of Nshongi family and it opened for trekkers to explore about 2 years later after splitting towards end of 2013.
Nyakagezi Gorilla group: This is a habituated family group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and it is comprised of 10 members. Initially, it used to move to border with the DR Congo however, it has settled in Mgahinga. It is led by Mark silverback who succeeded Bigingo.
Katwe Gorilla Family: Katwe is a newly habituated gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which tourists on Uganda gorilla tracking safari should consider a must-visit for unique experiences. It underwent habituation for about 3 years and it is trekked in Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Presently, the group is composed of about 6 members.
Bitukura Gorilla Family: What distinguishes Bitukura gorilla family from the rest of gorilla families in Uganda is the fact that it underwent habituation for about 1 and half years and it was already to be tracked by tourists on Uganda gorilla trekking safari. This gorilla family is comprised of 14 members and it takes its name from Bitukura River.
Kyaguriro Gorilla group: Although this is set for research on the other hand, it can be tracked when demand increases. Kyaguriro is one of the gorilla families in Uganda which is tracked in Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It underwent habituation starting from 1995 following the sudden death of Rukina that succumbed to an electric shock due to lightening in 2015. Mukiza then took over although he was ambushed by Rukara silverback an immigrant thus splitting it into 2 groups-Kyaguriro A which is also known as Rukara and Kyaguriro B which is called Mukiza which is currently a new group of its own in Ruhija sector.
Christmas Gorilla Family: This is another newly habituated gorilla families in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is found in Nkuringo area of Bwindi National Park and presently consists of 9 individuals.
Mukiza gorilla group: Mukiza gorilla family broke away from Kyaguriro family making it a newly habituated gorilla family in Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It takes its name from Mukiza silverback and the group presently consists of 13 members.
Mucunguzi gorilla group: This also features among the newly habituated gorilla families in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The word Mucunguzi denotes ‘savior’ and this group is a product of Bweza group. It currently consists of 8 individuals.
Rwigi gorilla family: Rwigi gorilla group is open for tracking in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is headed by Rwigi silverback gorilla and this is a product of Kahungye. Presently, it consists of 6 members.
Kutu gorilla group: Kutu group is a new gorilla group which is currently set for gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Presently, it is comprised of 8 individuals and 1 silverback.
Busingye Gorilla group: Busingye gorilla group is that one habituated gorilla family to track while on Uganda gorilla tracking safari in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This gorilla family was habituated in 2012 and originally consisted of 9 individuals. It is a product of Kahungye family.
Bikingi gorilla family: This gorilla family started habituation in 2012 and currently, it has 15 individuals. It is also among the newly habituated gorilla families in Uganda to open for gorilla trekking in Rushaga region of Bwindi National Park.
Bushaho Gorilla group: Bushaho gorilla group is open for gorilla tracking in Nkuringo area of Bwindi National Park. Originally, it was under gorilla habituation experience but later, it was opened for gorilla trekking in Nkuringo region.