Gorilla Groups in Uganda: Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park

There are 14 habituated gorilla groups in Uganda, and each group consists of 10–40 individuals of various ages led by the group’s eldest male, the silverback. Twelve habituated gorilla groups and two more families are available for gorilla habituation experiences in the Bwindi impenetrable forest.

There are only eight gorilla permits available daily for each family group and Mgahinga gorilla group. Names for gorilla families are determined by the dominant silverback’s name, group location, and formation history.

The Nyakagezi group is the only Ugandan gorilla family found in Mgahinga National Park. Few people visit Mgahinga for gorilla tours even though they have one of the biggest gorilla families in the world.

The greatest location to experience gorilla habitat is Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The paragraphs that follow provide a summary of the specific details for each of Uganda’s mountain gorilla groups.

In a nutshell, Uganda’s gorilla groups are:

 Or are you trying to figure out which Ugandan gorilla troop is the finest to trek with? There are 14 habituated gorilla groups in Uganda, and each group consists of 10–40 individuals of various ages led by the group’s eldest male, the silverback.

Twelve habituated gorilla groups and two more families are available for gorilla habituation experiences in the Bwindi impenetrable forest. Just eight every day, gorilla permits are made accessible to families and Mgahinga gorilla groups.

Names are assigned to gorilla families based on the dominant silverback’s name, group location, and formation history. The Nyakagezi group is the only Ugandan gorilla family found in Mgahinga National Park. Despite having one of the largest gorilla families in the area, hardly many tourists travel to Mgahinga for gorilla tours.

The greatest location to experience gorilla habituation is Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The following paragraphs provide a summary of the specific details for each of Uganda’s mountain gorilla groups. In a nutshell, Uganda’s gorilla groups are

·       Family Mubare Gorillas: Buhoma (Bwindi)

·       Buhoma (Bwindi) is home to the Habinyanja Gorilla Family.

·       Buhoma (Bwindi) is home to the Rushegura Gorilla Family.

·       Family of Bitukura Gorillas: Ruhija (Bwindi)

·       Ruhija (Bwindi), a member of the Oruzogo Gorilla Family

·       The Nkuringo (Bwindi) Gorilla Family

·       Rushaga (Bwindi), a member of the Nshongi Gorilla Family

·       Rushaga (Bwindi) Mishaya Gorilla Family

·       Rushaga (Bwindi), a member of the Kahungye Gorilla Family

·       Rushaga (Bwindi), a member of the Bweza Gorilla Family

·       Rushaga (Bwindi), a member of the Busingye Gorilla Family

(Ruhija) Kyaguriro Gorilla Family   that presently consists of 19 people. Rafiki and Safari, two silverbacks, were  left to him after his death in 2008.

His son, Safari, succeeded him. The name “Nkuringo” in Rukiga comes from the fact that the group was initially observed next to a round hill. The gang frequently encountered people because they lived close to the communities outside the park, and they frequently sneaked in to eat crops, which led to disputes.

In order for the community to benefit from tourists and perceive gorilla conservation as providing them with economic prospects, it was decided in 2008 to acclimate the group. Rushaga (Bwindi) and Nshongi Gorilla Families Bwindi gorilla families and groups the biggest number of people ever habituated was 37 members of the Nshongi family when the group was exposed to tourists and visitors in 2009.

Gorilla Families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park:

 Nyakagezi Gorilla Family (Mgahinga)

Ugandan gorilla families include the Mubare and Buhoma (Bwindi) families.This family is the simplest to follow in Bwindi due of their position. The first gorilla trackers in the area came up with the name Mubare.

Kanyonyi is the group’s leader, and there are currently eight members. Established in 1993, this gorilla group is the oldest in Uganda. At first initially sighted with eighteen members, the organization has since shrunk in size under Ruhondeza’s leadership.

By 2012, there were roughly five remaining due to infighting, death, and member relocation to other groups. In 2012, Ruhondeza’s leadership came to an end when his girls were ambushed and taken away by another clan. Ruhondeza lived for more than 50 years, and researchers kept an eye on him until his passing. His grave is marked, and a guide can help you find it.

Buhoma (Bwindi) is home to the Habinyanja Gorilla Family.

This group of gorillas was one of the first to welcome visitors. The group’s 17 members are commanded by Makara, who took Habinyanja’s post. Silverback Mugurisi, an elderly male, headed this group after they became acclimated in 1997.

They were called “Habinyanja.”(Area with water) in Rukiga, as they were initially observed close to a marsh in Bwindi. Rwansigazi and Mwirima, Mugurisi’s two brothers, who had distinct personalities, succeeded him after he died of old age. Rwansigazi enjoyed exploring different areas of the forest, whereas Mwirima preferred to remain within a certain range.

The two brothers separated amicably in 2002. While the Mirimas group was renamed the Rushegura family, Rwansigazi left with a portion of the group and kept the name “Habinyanja.”Buhoma (Bwindi) gorilla groups in Uganda are part of the Rushegura Gorilla Family.

One silverback is among the 19 members of the Rushegura group. In 2002, Rwansigazi and Mwirima broke away from the bigger Habinyanja group to form this group. The term Rushegura comes from “Ebishegura,” a tree species that are prevalent in the family’s domain.

Since the family’s size grew from 12 to 19 by April 2010, Mwirima’s capacity to maintain stability and harmony is impressive. Mwirima, who is roughly 25 years old, is powerful and assertive and never backs down from a confrontation with untamed gangs that pose a threat to his authority. The groups can be observed in the lodge gardens and are not shy near people because of their stability and composure.

Family of Bitukura Gorillas: Ruhija (Bwindi)

There are now 14 members of the Bitukura Family, down from the original 24. Karamuzi, who is now retired, was replaced as the group’s leader by Ndahura. The group, which includes three other silverbacks, got its name from a river that is close to their home range.

On the other hand, mountain gorillas’ habituation process usually two years or more, but for one family, it only took fifteen months. Although visitors were first permitted in October 2008, the group had already seen park rangers on multiple occasions when they interacted with the Kyaguriro family, who were already accustomed to their presence.

Ruhija (Bwindi), a member of the Oruzogo Gorilla Family

This is a huge group by normal standards, with 25 members. With two silverbacks, it is the second family in the Ruhija region. The group, which opened to the public in 2011, is led by Tibirikwata. The playful offspring of the females Ntamurungi (June 2011), Musi (October 2011), and Kakoba (March 2012) have contributed to the group’s growth and popularity among tourists.

The Nkuringo (Bwindi) Gorilla Family

This gang was once led by Nkuringo the Great Silverback usually two years or more, but for one family, it only took fifteen months. Although visitors were first permitted in October 2008, the group had already seen park rangers on multiple occasions when they interacted with the Kyaguriro family, who were already accustomed to their presence.

Ruhija (Bwindi), a member of the Oruzogo Gorilla Family This is a huge group by normal standards, with 25 members. With two silverbacks, it is the second family in the Ruhija region. The group, which opened to the public in 2011, is led by Tibirikwata. The playful offspring of the females Ntamurungi (June 2011), Musi (October 2011), and Kakoba (March 2012) have contributed to the group’s growth and popularity among tourists.

The Nkuringo (Bwindi) Gorilla Family

This gang was once led by Nkuringo the Great Silverback. There are presently four silverbacks and twenty-six people. The name Nshongi (relating to the deep honey-like color of the river) was given to the family because they were initially spotted next to a river. The family’s size made it stand out when it opened for tourists in September 2009.

Despite the numerous silverbacks, the family coexisted peacefully until their 2010 breakup. While silverback Mishaya left with ten individuals, the Nshongi group, led by the dominant silverback Nshongi, stayed with 26 individuals.

Rushaga (Bwindi) Mishaya Gorilla Family

Mishaya gained a reputation for inciting conflicts with rival gorilla families in order to defend his own and to take females from nearby families when he departed Nshongi in 2010. He was able to attract several women, but was injured during a battle with a family of wild, unhabituated gorillas. Fortunately, there were gorilla conservation doctors in the area to heal him.

There are currently 12 members in the group, with Mishaya being the only dominating silverback. Rushaga (Bwindi), a member of the Kahungye Gorilla Family .Three silverbacks, commanded by Rumansi, are among the thirteen members of this group.

The other elderly men are Rwigi and Ruhamuka. Only recently (2011) was the organization made accessible to the public. Initially consisting of 27, the group disbanded soon after forming the new Busingye group. “Gwigi” (door in the local dialect) is the leader of the Kahungye group.

Rushaga (Bwindi), a member of the Bweza Gorilla Family

In 2012, this group became accessible to the public. The Nshongi gorilla family, the biggest family ever habituated in Bwindi, is the ancestor of the group. The silverback in 2010, Mishaya and Nshongi split up, and two years later (2012), Bweza left him with six members. The gang still has nine members under Bweza’s leadership.

Rushaga (Bwindi), a member of the Busingye Gorilla Family

In 2013, this group became accessible to the public. After separating from the Kahungye family in 2012, Busingye became the leader of this group of nine people. Despite his name, which means peace, Busingye is notorious for fighting a lot and robbing nearby Gorilla groups of their females. He is extremely driven, assertive, and takes advantage of every chance to demonstrate his dominance.

(Ruhija) Kyaguriro Gorilla Family

The 15-member Kyaguriro group is commanded by Rukina, who usurped Zeus’s position of authority. Visitors are allowed limited access to the gorilla group, which conservationists have designated for study purposes. Scholars have produced intriguing results from this team. According to their research, there are some behavioral variations among the gorilla families in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda.

Mgahinga National Park Gorilla Families

The Gorilla Family of Nyakagezi (Mgahinga) Mgahinga National Park is home to just one habituated gorilla population. Under the leadership of Mark the dominating Silverback, the erratic group frequently migrates to Rwanda and Congo.

In a group of ten, there are two additional silverbacks besides Mark. It can be challenging to watch the family because of their erratic movements. To find out their precise whereabouts, you must get in touch with the authorities via your tour operator, even though they have already made their home in Uganda.