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.