Habituated Gorilla Families in Uganda

Habituated Gorilla Families in Uganda – Habituated Gorilla groups in Bwindi – Gorilla families to trek in Uganda

Habituated gorilla families in Uganda – In Africa, Mountain Gorillas are only located in three countries which are Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda is recorded in history to have the biggest number of Mountain Gorillas with a minimum number of 550 Mountain Gorillas recorded. These endangered creatures are inhabited in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest  National Park. This tropical rain-forest is located in the southern western part of Uganda and shelters half of the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas whose adventure is the most exciting in the entire continent. Gorilla tracking is the main activity in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and a total number of 21 Gorilla families  in Uganda  have been recorded from all the four sectors of Bwindi forest.

Other location where mountain Gorilla families in Uganda are found

Mountain Gorillas are also found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, there is one Gorilla family that inhabits the area. Currently this Gorilla family have been habituated for tracking. Gorilla habituation is a process that takes 2 years and involves training Mountain Gorillas to get used to human beings, as they continue with their day to day activities in their wild natural environment. A maximum of 8 people are allowed to visit each Gorilla family per day per trek.

Mountain Gorilla tracking sectors

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has four sectors and these include  Buhoma, in the North Ruhija in the East Rushaga and Nkuringo in the South. Before embarking on your Gorilla tracking adventure, we have details on every Gorilla family that are available for visits.

Some of Habituated Gorilla families in Uganda

Rushegura Gorilla Family is one of the families with 15 members in total and lead by one Silverback Mwirima who is in his late 20s and a brother to a former Silverback in Habinyanja called Rwansigazi.

Habinyanja Gorilla Family started in 1997 although it was first visited by Tourists in 1999. The word Habinyanja comes from a local word Nyanja ‘meaning water’; it’s one of the swamps in the forest where this family was found. The family consists of 17 members.

Mubare Gorilla Family was found in the forest in the Mubare hills which means stone in the local language, with 8 individuals including 1 silverback.

Bitukura Gorilla Family has 14 members the group was first sighted in 2007 with its original number of 24 members near the river were the family was located. The habitation was shorter than any other habituation which takes a period of 2 years.

Oruzogo Gorilla Family has 25 members including 2 Silverbacks this family was established in 2011 by the Uganda wildlife Authority, recent found in 2011 and the second habituated group in Ruhija sector.

Kyaguriro Gorilla Family is one of the most treasured Gorilla groups after its habituation in 1999. This group was reserved for research and study purpose by ‘Max Planck institute by evolutional of Anthropology.

 Nkuringo Gorilla Family The word ‘Nkuringo’ is derived from the word round hills these hills are located in the areas of Kisoro and Bwindi the Nkuringo sector was launched in 2004.

Mishaya Gorilla Family has 12 members who can be visited everyday by 8 people. This group is known as a fighter because of the leader it had a long time ago its name was derived after Mishaya the silverback who was known for fighting, interaction with other Gorilla families.

 Nshongi Gorilla Family is the largest group in Rushaga sector to be visited by Tourists, it was launched in 2009 with the biggest habituation group, it was named after River Nshongi where it was first sighted.

 Kahungye Gorilla Family This family includes 13 members with 3 Silverbacks this group is found in the hills of the mountain and one of the newest Mountain Gorilla Group in the Rushaga sector.

Bweza Gorilla Family is the largest habituated group after Nshongi group which was the largest however in 2010 Mishaya the silverback decided to break off the family to form his own group.

Busingye Gorilla Family is located in the Rushaga sector one of Bwindi sectors with the biggest number of Mountain Gorilla groups. The word Busingye is a local word meaning ‘peace.

Nyakagezi Gorilla Family Nyakagezi’ is the only group in Mgahinga and forms 9 members, this group usually crosses over to neighboring countries Congo and Rwanda. However in 2012 the Uganda Wildlife Authority has observed the family to enjoy more of Uganda and currently has stabilized.

See Habituated Gorilla families per Region;