Kwitonda gorilla family group

Kwitonda gorilla family group

Kwitonda gorilla family group derived its name from a dominant silverback that was known as Kwintonda which means “the humble one” and the group migrated from Virunga National park in Congo to Volcanoes national park in Rwanda in 2003. Always the family group is on the move making it so difficult for tourist to trek it sometimes.

Kwitonda gorilla family group can be trekked between mountain Mgahinga and Sabinyo volcanoes, the group is believed to have moved from congo because of the high pleasure from other silverback looking up to start their own family groups. Mountain gorillas habt the high altitudes of 2300-4500M, an the habituated gorilla families in Rwanda are divided into two, for study and research purposes and for tourism, and mountain gorillas can be found in three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.

After Kwitonda’s death at the age of 40 years in September 2012, a sub dominant silverback known as Akarevuro took over the group and it is the giant male leading the Kwitonda gorilla family group. Kwitonda did a miracle when he allowed  when he allowed other silverbacks in the family group to mate which is unusual for dominant gorillas when they are still arrive, this built a strong bond within the group, and now Kwitonda gorilla family group is one f the largest groups in Volcanoes National Park. Due to Kwitonda’s calmness, he attracted many male gorillas to join the family group as he allowed them to mate which was not common with other gorilla families in the jungle.

The gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park habituated and open for gorilla trekking are 10 in number meaning 80 gorilla permits are available on daily basis all year round as only 8 people are allowed to visit a gorilla family in a day and gorilla trekking is the main reason as to why tourists do visit Rwanda, and if you are interested in trekking mountain gorillas in volcanoes National Park, contact Great Adventure Safaris for secure a gorilla permit today.