List of Gorilla Families in Uganda

Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks

Mountain gorilla trekking is possible in Uganda, which is situated on the Virunga Range volcanoes. The renowned Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are the ideal locations for this activity.

There are 18 habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi, Uganda, and a maximum of 8 people can visit each family per day.

The four sectors of Bwindi National Park—Ruhija sector, Rushaga sector, Buhoma sector, and Nkuringo sector—are where they are located.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is currently home to only one habituated gorilla family.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park: Gorilla Trekking

The following are the most renowned mountain gorilla lineages in Uganda:

Nshongi Gorilla Family

The Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the location of the Nshongi gorilla family.

The family’s name is derived from the Nshongi River, where the family was initially observed by rangers.

The Nshongi gorilla family consisted of 35 members at the time of habituation; however, the number was subsequently reduced to 25 members when Mishaya separated with 10 members to establish his own family.

The group is once again divided, with Bweza separating to establish his own family. Presently, Nshongi is the dominant silverback.

Rushegura Gorilla Family

Kabukojo silverback is the dominant member of the Rushegura gorilla family.

After the death of the dominant silverback Mugurusi, the group separated from the Habinyanja gorilla family.

In Bwindi, this group is occasionally observed in the vicinity of the park headquarters, Batwa villages, and Buhoma camp, making it a simple trek.

Nkuringo Gorilla Family

The Nkuringo gorilla family is situated in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park.

The household was initially dominated by the silverback Nkuringo, but Safari, his son, succeeded him upon his death.

This is one of the gorilla families in Bwindi that has been gifted with a pair of twins.

Habinyanja Gorilla Family

The Habinyanja gorilla family is one of the earliest mountain gorilla families in Bwindi National Park.

Tourism was permitted to operate in 1999 after the family was accustomed to it in 1997. Its name is derived from the region where they were initially observed, which was dominated by the silverback Mugurisi, which translates to “old man.”

Mwirima, the son of Mugurusi, separated from his family to establish his own, which is now known as the Rushegura family.

Mubare Gorilla Family

The Mubare gorilla family is the eldest habituated mountain gorilla family in Uganda.

The family was initially acclimatized in 1991 and was subsequently made available for tourism in 1993.

This family can be reached by trekking from the Buhoma region of Bwindi National Park.

Rangers first noticed the group in the Mubare Highlands, which is where they got their name.

Oruzogo Gorilla Family

On June 20, 2011, the Oruzogo gorilla family was made accessible to tourists.

Tibirikwata, the silverback, is the dominant member of this family, which can be explored in the Ruhija region of Bwindi.

At present, the family consists of 23 members.

In 2012, the female Kabobe gave birth to twins, which were a blessing for this family.

Bitukura Gorilla Family

The Ruhija sector of Bwindi National Park is the location of the Bitukura gorilla family.

The most intriguing aspect of this group is that it is led by a juvenile silverback named Ndahura, a phenomenon that is not common in gorilla families, where the oldest member of the group is always the one in charge.

Mishaya Gorilla Family

The Mishaya gorilla family was established when Mishaya, the dominant silverback, separated from the Nshongi family with a limited number of females to establish his own group.

Mishaya has a reputation for engaging in conflict with other organizations in order to further his own.

The Busingye Gorilla Family

The Busingye gorilla family was established when Busingye separated from the Kahungye gorilla family to establish his own family.

The Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park is the location of this group, which was exposed to tourism in 2011.

The group’s name is derived from the local language and translates to “peace.”

Kahungye Gorilla Family

In 2011, the Kahungye gorilla family was made accessible to tourism, and it is possible to conduct a trek in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi National Park.

The group’s name was derived from the Kahungye highlands, where they were initially observed.

The group was comprised of 27 members prior to Kahungye’s departure to establish his own family. Presently, the silverback Gwigi serves as their leader.

Family of Nyakagezi Gorillas

The Nyakagezi gorilla family is the sole gorilla family to be discovered in Mgahinga National Park.

The group is currently under Mark’s control with the help of the Mafia; Bujingo had previously held that position during habituation. The group consists of ten members.