Gorilla Sectors in Mgahinga National Park Uganda
One of Uganda’s major tourist attractions are the Mountain Gorilla Families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the western Rift Valley. In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, there are four Gorilla Tracking Sectors and among these are the habituated Mountain Gorilla Groups of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest are Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda currently has 20 gorilla Families available for tourism. The twenty first gorilla group is found in Mgahinga National Park and hosts one gorilla family, the Nyakagezi group. These Gorilla groups go through a slow, careful process of getting them used to human presence called the Habituation Process. After the process, which takes from 3-5 years, the gorillas are availed for trekking within their natural habitat. Each group comprises of varying ages headed by a silverback gorillas which is the oldest male in the group. Tourists can trek the Gorillas from any of the four trailheads in the four corners of the park. Detailed information for each of Uganda’s mountain gorilla Family groups are explained below:-
1. Buhoma Sector
Buhoma sector the leading Gorilla trekking sector and one of the 4 Gorilla Trekking Sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park located in the Northern Sector. It is the most visited sector in Bwindi due to the fact that this part of the Park is easily accessible. Buhoma Sector is has a Total of 5 Gorilla Habituated Families open for Gorilla Trekking including: Mubare Gorilla Family, Habinyanja Gorilla Family , Rushegura Gorilla Family, Katwe Gorilla Family, Binyindo Gorilla Family as per details below:
Mubare Gorilla Family
The Mubare Gorilla Family was the first group to be habituated in 1991 with 18 members and was led by Ruhondeza Silverback. Because of the location, this is the easiest family to track in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is the oldest gorilla group in Uganda and was opened for tourism in 1993. Initially under the leadership of Ruhondeza, the group has decreased in number over the years from 18 members when first sighted. Infighting, death and member migration to other groups left about 5 by 2012. Ruhondeza’s leadership ended when another group attacked and took away his females in 2012. Ruhondeza lived for over 50 years and continued to be monitored by researches till his death. His grave is marked and can be located by a guide.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family
This gorilla Family is among the very first group to be opened to tourists. It contains 18 members and is led by Makara who replaced Habinyanja. This group was habituated in 1997 and was then led by silverback Mugurisi (old man). The group was named “Habinyanja” (place with water) in Rukiga because they were first sighted near a swamp in the Buhom sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After passing away due to old age, Mugurisi was replaced by his two brothers Rwansigazi and Mwirima who had different personality traits. Mwirima liked staying within a specific range while Rwansigazi loved moving around different sections of the forest. At one time the Gorilla group had over 30 members, however in 2002, the two brothers separated peacefully. Rwansigazi left with part of the group and retained the “Habinyanja” name while Mwirimas group was named the Rushegura family.
Rushegura Gorilla Family
The Rushegura group contains 20 members that include one silverback. This is the group that was formed when Rwansigazi and Mwirima separated from the larger Habinyanja group in 2002. The Rushegura name is derived from “Ebishegura”, a tree specie common within the family’s territory. Mwirima’s ability to create a stable and calm family is admirable as the number of individuals increased from 12 to 20. Mwirima strong and dominant, never shying away from confronting wild groups threatening his authority. Because of the groups’ stability and calmness, they are not shy around people and can be seen around lodge gardens.
Katwe Gorilla Family
The Katwe Gorilla Family has 9 members with Katwe silverback leading the group. The group takes its name from the hillsides where researchers initially started with their habituation process. The group has an interesting history and many of its members were originally a part of the Mubare group, the oldest studied family in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Park. Two of the adult females of Mubare i.e. Kashundwe and Malaika are now a part of the fusion group which is headed by the silverback, Mahaane. Researchers have been closely following this family since January 2018 when it was first formed.
Binyindo Gorilla Family
Researchers and Uganda Wildlife authority rangers followed and studied this group for three years before finally opening it for tourism. The Binyindo group has a total of 6 members including 1 dominant silverback. It was added in 2019 to the list of gorilla families in the Buhoma sector.
2. Ruhija Sector
Ruhija Sector is considered to be the remotest among the four sections. It has got three well habituated gorilla groups. Previously, the sector had only two gorilla families namely; Bitukura gorilla family and Oruzongo gorilla family. These were the only habituated families which were open for gorilla tracking in Ruhija Sector. However, a third gorilla family called Kyaguriro gorilla group was made open for trekking. Unlike other gorilla groups in Ruhija Uganda sector, trekking Kyaguriro family requires a formal permission from the Uganda Wildlife Authority because the group is manly used for research and hence tourists require special permission to visit the group. This split increased Ruhija sector’s total number of habituated gorilla groups to 4 from the original 3 that included Oruzongo, Bitukura and Kyaguriro. It didn’t only increase on the region’s number of habituated families but also on available gorilla permits to 32.
Bitukura Gorilla Family
The Bitukura Family has 14 individuals from its original 24. The group is led by Ndahura the dominant silverback Who took over from the now retired Karamuzi. The group that also has three other silverbacks was named after a river near their territory. Whereas the habituation process for mountain gorillas takes 2 or more years, it took only 15 months with this family. Visitors where first allowed in October 2008 but the group had already had frequent encounters with park rangers whenever they mixed with the already habituated Kyaguriro family.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family
The Oruzogo Family was first opened to visitors in 2011, 22 members, 2 silverbacks with Tibirikwata as the dominant silverback. With 25, members, this is a large group by usual standards. It is the second family in the Ruhija area. The group has grown and is much loved by visitors because of its playful youngsters resulting from several births from the females Ntamurungi (June 2011), Musi (October 2011), and Kakoba (March 2012).
Kyaguriro Gorilla family
Kyaguriro group was the oldest gorilla family to be habituated in 1999 for research purposes. However, it was later availed for trekking after the gorilla demand for permits went high in the Ruhija sector. The gorilla group has been set apart for research by conservationists and limited access is given to visitors. Researchers have come up with interesting findings from this group. Their findings show some differences in behavioral tendencies between Uganda’s Gorilla families, Rwanda’s Gorilla families and DR.Congo Gorilla families. At the time of habituation, the family was under the leadership of Zeus silverback. He had a fight with silverback Rukina who banished him to the forest and later died in exile. After his death, the family was left under the leadership of Rukina who was struck by lightning. In 2016 the gorilla group split into two groups after a fight where Mukiza silverback was challenged by an immigrant silverback Rukara from Bitukura family.
Mukiza gorilla family (Kyaguliro Group B)
Mukiza is a newly habituated gorilla group to officially open for gorilla tourism in the Ruhija Section. This family is under the leadership of dominant silverback Mukiza. This group came into formation after the split of the parent group Kyaguriro group in 2016 after Rukara invaded making Mukiza to vacate Kyaguriro and left with 10 gorillas. Kyaguriro B/ Mukiza gorilla group welcomed its new born baby gorilla in October 2020 thanks to Mwijukye mother gorilla. This brought the group composition to 15 members. Mukiza gorilla family is set for both research and gorilla purposes in Bwindi National Park. It is an exceptional gorilla group usually spotted spending most of its time within the park and rarely sighted outside the park boundaries.
3. Rushaga Sector
Rushaga Sector in the Southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lies between Kabale and Nkuringo coming from either Ruhija or Kampala. It is known for having the highest number of mountain gorillas with 8 habituated gorilla families, with 64 permits per day namely; Busingye gorilla family group, Nshongi gorilla family group, Bweza gorilla family group, Mishaya gorilla family, Kahungye gorilla family group, Mucunguzi gorilla family group, Bwigi gorilla family, and Bikyingi gorilla family group and Kutu Gorilla Family. These are all well habituated and ready for tracking. According to the latest findings, Rushaga sector is home to over 200 mountain gorillas, and therefore a visitor to this place is 100% guaranteed to see these gentle primates in their natural habitats. Unlike other sectors in Bwindi, Rushaga sector is the only place in the whole world where gorilla habituation experience is carried out. If you are interested in spending more time with the gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (an hour and above with gorillas) then Rushaga sector is the best place to visit.
Nshongi Gorilla family
The Nshongi Gorilla family was opened to visitors and tourists in 2009 and had 37 individuals as the largest ever habituated gorilla family in Uganda. This made the family unique due to its large size. The family was first seen near a river hence the name Nshongi (referring to the deep honey-like color of the river). Following a standoff in Nshongi group, 10 gorillas moved to form the Mishaya Group. Before they split in 2010, the family lived in harmony despite the many silverbacks. The Nshongi group under the dominant silverback Nshongi remained with currently has 26 individuals while silverback Mishaya moved away with 10 individuals.
Mishaya Gorilla Family
The Mishaya Gorilla Family led by Mishaya the only dominant Silverback, The Mishaya Group split from Nshongi in 2010 with 10 members, he developed a reputation of starting fights with other gorilla families not only to protect his own, but to also steal females from neighbors. He succeeded in gathering a few females but was wounded in one of the fights with a wild gorilla family (not habituated). He was luckily treated by gorilla conservation doctors nearby. The group now has 12 individuals. However, the two groups still live in Rushaga.
Kahungye Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
This group contains 18 members including 3 silverbacks led by Rumansi. Ruhamuka and Rwigi are the other old males. The group was only recently habituated in 2011 and opened for visitors. This group had 27 members when habituated but split shortly after creating another group Busingye. The Kahungye group is led by “Gwigi” (door in the local dialect).
Bweza Gorilla Family- Rushaga (Bwindi)
This group was opened to visitors in 2012. The group evolves from the Nshongi gorilla family which was the largest family ever habituated in Bwindi. When Silverback Mishaya separated from Nshongi in 2010, Bweza left him two years later with six members. The group contains 9 individuals still led by Bweza.
Busingye Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
This group was opened to visitors in 2013. Busingye leads this group of 10 members with 1 silverback, 2 juveniles, 4 adult females, 1 sub adult and 2 infants. After splitting away from the Kahungye family in 2012 after a bitter fight between 2 silverback gorillas (Rwigi and Rumanzi) Busingye Gorilla Family came into existence after he decided to move on start its own family. Though his name means peace, Busingye is known for frequent fights and stealing females from neighboring Gorilla groups. He is very ambitious, dominant and uses every opportunity to show his power.
Mucungunzi Gorilla Family
Muchunguzi gorilla group is a newly habituated gorilla family in Rushaga Sector has 8 individuals with 1 silverback, headed by Mucunguzi. The word Mucunguzi means ‘savior’ which was given to the third and youngest silverback at the time within Bweza gorilla group. Mucunguzi group split from Bweza family.
Rwigi Gorilla Family
Rwigi gorilla Family group is headed by Rwigi Consisting of 8 individuals with 1 silverback. It was officially opened recently after a break away from Kahungye Gorilla family, Rwigi was formerly one of the three dominant silverbacks in Kahungye Gorilla family and is now the leader and dominant silverback. Rwigi silverback fought hard and took a way some adult females and juveniles With Him.
Bikingi Gorilla Family
The Gorilla Family has 15 individuals with 1 silver back. Habituation of Bikingi gorilla group commenced in early 2012 as a follow-up exercise of the dispersing members of the disintegrated Mishaya family. Several members of the former Mishaya family were located in the group alongside other non-habituated members. Later on declared for habituation to keep close monitoring of the formerly habituated members.
Kutu Gorilla Family
Kutu is a new gorilla family in Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This group is under habituation and perfect for visitors who wish to embark on gorilla habituation experience. Kutu gorilla group has 8 members and 1 silverback and still undergoing habituation.
4. Nkuringo Sector
This sector of gorilla trekking in Bwindi was the second to be established a decade after opening the Buhoma sector north of the park. The Nkuringo Region is among the strenuous most challenging to reach area, but undoubtedly worthwhile most rewarding place ideal for Gorilla trekking. It is also the most popular after Buhoma and most entertaining gorilla groups in Uganda. Nkuringo has the latest additions of Bikingi and Bushaho which are undergoing habituation for research and tourism purporses. These two new groups are under the headship of the silverbacks known as Bikingi and Bahati from the Nkuringo group.
Nkuringo Gorilla Family
Nkuringo gorilla family was officially opened for tourism in October 2004 when the Uganda Wildlife Authority begun to officially offer tracking permits. Nkuringo gorilla group was first for researchers, and no tourist was allowed to track it before its official opening. The family has over 19 members with 1 dominant male and 3 silver-backs.
The group was first spotted near a round hill hence the name “Nkuringo” in Rukiga. Because the group lived near the villages outside the park, they had frequent encounters with humans and often sneaked to eat crops hence having creating conflicts. It was decided to habituate the group to allow the community gain from tourism and see the conservation of gorillas as bringing economic opportunities to them. The Nkuringo Gorilla Group was led by the gentle Silverback Nkuringo. He led the group till 2012 when he died at the age of 45 years. Nkuringo left the group with 3 Silverbacks, Safari, Rafiki, and Christmas, and the brothers kept together as Safari led the group. Safari disappeared after the gorilla group encountered another family, the Bushaho Gorilla group. Till this day, no one knows what happened to Safari and that’s when Rafiki took over the family and has gracefully led the group till his demise on June 1, 2020. Rafiki is a Swahili word that means “friend,” and indeed he was a friendly Gorilla and valued family member; even when his brother Christmas left the group to start his group, at times you would find Christmas return and be part of the Nkuringo group – like that prodigal son, Rafiki always let his brother return home.
Bushao Gorilla family
Bushaho Gorilla Group is the second gorilla family availed for gorilla trekking in the NKuringo Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Dominant Silverback Bahati leads the group with 12 members in 2021 With 1 silverback 1 blackback, 4 adult females, 2 sub-adult females, and 4 infants. Bushaho gorilla family was previously a part of the Nkuringo group and were named Bushaho after following unexplained individual dispersals from the Nkuringo family after Silverback Nkuringo’s death, researchers searched for their whereabouts in early 2012. They discovered that one of the former Nkuringo group’s silverbacks, Bahati, who had disappeared earlier, led a parallel group. Some of the members in this group were former members of the Nkuringo group, among other non-habituated members. What started as a follow-up exercise later led to close monitoring of the parallel group’s social behavior. The group was later habituated and named ‘Bushaho,’ meaning “there’s nothing” in the local language, inspired by the name of the place the gorilla family forages.
Christmas family
Christmas is the third gorilla group available for gorilla trekking in the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi. The group is named after the dominant silverback, Christmas, born on Christmas day in the Nkuringo Group. As with other families, scientists have named the group, Christmas which is the dominant silverback caring for the group. Although there are a total of 9 members in this group, researchers are able to spot only 6 of them regularly. You will likely see 1 black back, 3 females, and 1 baby aside from the silverback head, Christmas. The formation of the Christmas gorilla family is from the Nkuringo group that didn’t need to go through the habituation process because all its members were from a fully Habituated family. One of the adult females recently joined the Christmas group from the wild. She joined with her juvenile son, who’s always hiding under the bushes or behind the mother. Mother and son are not fully habituated to humans but comfortably stay a shy distance from the rest of the family when tourists visit.
Posho Gorilla Family
The Posho gorilla family is still under the habituation process in the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The dominant Silverback Magara leads the ground with 14 members as of July 2021. According to internal sources in UWA, the Posho group will soon be available for the Habituation Experience in Nkuringo Sector, a very much anticipated move because the experience only occurs in the Rushaga sector.
5. Nyakagezi Gorilla Family in Mgahinga National Park
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is the only habituated family found within Mgahinga National Park and it is led by dominant silverback Mark, However there are 2 other silverbacks in a group of 10 members who are quite big in size. The ruling silverback enjoys moving a lot and frequently the family would cross borders between Uganda, D. R Congo and Rwanda. Because of their unpredictable movements, viewing the family can be difficult. However from November 2012 this group has settled within the Ugandan border and in the month of May 2013 it received a newborn baby who increased the family’s number. Because of the great mobility that this group exhibited in the past, the governing authority Uganda Wildlife Authority decided that gorilla trekking permit to visit this family should be issued only at their headquarters within the National Park who know their exact location.
