Uganda’s Mountain Gorilla Families

Uganda is home to almost 600 gorillas out of the world’s total gorillas. The majority of this group can be located in Bwindi Impenetrable Park, where the gorillas underwent habituation to make encounters with hikers easier. In Bwindi, keep an eye out for the 19 habituated families when going on a gorilla safari. Here are some families’ biographies, make-up, and places.

The Nkuringo area of Bwindi Impenetrable Park is home to the Christmas gorilla family. Every visitor to this section has the option of tracking it. It takes its name from Christmas, a mighty silverback. The gang now has nine members, but there is only one silverback. However, for some reason, when trekkers arrive, they can only see six members of this family.

The name Bikini was given because of the family’s home ranges. Veterinarians regularly visited the Bukingi Gorilla group during the physiological process, working with rangers to keep an eye on the gorillas, treat any disease symptoms, and save the gorillas’ lives when required. Currently, the Rushaga district of Bwindi may be home to the Bukingi gorilla family, headed by Bukingi the silverback.

This family has 17 members, including one silverback. Although it is nomadic, it may be found in the Buhoma region of Bwindi. Mugurusi was the chief silverback when the habituation began in 1997. His successors, Rwansigazi and Mwirima, divided the family; Rwansigazi kept the surviving members of the Habiyanja gorilla group as it is now. Mwirima afterward established the Rushegura clan.

The Bitukura gorilla family, which has four silverbacks, is quite popular with trekkers. Ndahura is the family’s head silverback, although being second in rank underneath the oldest silverback. The three other silverbacks in the family are Karamuzi, Rukumu, and Rukawa. The remaining members include two black backs, three adult females, two youngsters, and one infant named Kadogo. 

Known initially as Kyaguliro, the group divided after the passing of the group’s leader, Rukia. Rukia’s untimely expiry established Mukiza as the family’s new head. He was not strong enough to fight back when Rukare invaded his family, causing a schism in the Kyaguliro family. Mukiza now leads Kyaguliro A, which goes by the same name. The Bitukura gorilla family, which has four silverbacks, is quite popular with trekkers. Ndahura is the family’s head silverback, although having second in rank underneath the oldest silverback.

Rukia, the dominating silverback, died, and Kyaguliro B split off from Kyakuliro A while keeping the title Kyaguliro. Mukiza, who had seized power from Rukia and divided the group so that some of its members could depart, was opposed by Rukare. Both groups are now accessible to the public after being mainly used by scholars. It is located in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Ruhija area.

Trekkers might now see the Nshongi gorilla family as of July 2010. The family’s name comes from a local spring called “Omushongi Gwoboki,” which means “honey brook” in English. The 25-member Nshongi gorilla family, headed by two silverbacks, is the largest in Bwindi. The family’s leading silverback is Nshongi. South of Bwindi, near Nshongi-Rushaga, is where the land is situated.

Trekkers might now see the Bweza gorilla family as of December 2012. This family was originally a member of Nshongi, the biggest gorilla group under Mishaya’s leadership. Consequently, the Mishaya gorilla group split up, and Bweza, the present dominant silverback, established his own. The family presently has nine members, includes one silverback, and is located in the Rushaga region of Bwindi.

The name Kahungye is taken from the family’s final resting site, a hill south of Rushaga Park. Since October 2011, when it first opened its doors to tourists. The family used to have around 27 members, but it is now down to roughly 13 people after a split. Gigi is the name of their lead silverback.

In 2012, this family broke apart from the Kahungye family under the leadership of Busingye, the current dominant silverback in the family. Busingye carried seven members with him when he split away. Still, after his most recent conquests, he has raised the number to 9. The Rushaga region of Bwindi is where the family resides

There are nine gorillas in the Bushaho family, and Bahati, a silverback, is in charge. Depending on the aggression of the silverback, his ability to raid new members, and his capability to have more offspring to increase the number of members, the group will undoubtedly grow. Nkuringo, situated in the southern region of Bwindi, is where you might find it. The family met the Bukingi gorilla family and is now accessible to trekkers hunting for gorillas.

The Mubare family was the first gorilla family to be habituated in Uganda, beginning in October 1991. In Bwindi, visitors can visit the tomb of Ruhondeza, the dominant silverback, while doing gorilla trekking. The Mubare hills, which are nearby, are where the family gets its name. It is presently the youngest gorilla family in Bwindi, consisting of six members and one silverback.

“Nkuringo” was the name of the pioneering lead silverback who gave the family its name. Since the family’s habituation ended in 2004, Safari has been the dominant silverback, heading a family of 18 members, including two silverbacks. The family lives in Nkuringo, which has one of the most challenging gorilla tracking trails. After the rush of the day, the sight of this family can be rather satisfying.

The Mishaya Gorilla family consists of 12 individuals and one silverback and can be found in Nshongi-Rushaga. The dominant silverback, Mishaya, inspired the family name. The Nshongi family, who defected in 2010 under Mishaya’s direction, has a history with the family. Since Mishaya died in 2014, Mwine has held the position as the dominant silverback.

In 2018, the Katwe gorilla group was included in the Buhoma sector’s gorilla families. This was a positive increase in the number of guerilla groups are three to four, boosting the number of licenses available for tracking. It took around three years for this group to become accustomed to the family. There are currently ten, with one silverback, three blackbacks, four mature females, and two infants.

The Kutu gorilla family lives in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Rushaga Sector. It now consists of eight members, with one leading silverback. This group was formerly qualified for gorilla habit formation, which only occurs in the Rushaga sector. It took several years of visits before it was prepared for visitors to explore while going gorilla trekking.

There are eight gorillas in the Mucunguzi family. The group’s name is derived from Mucunguzi, a well-known silverback. In the Bweza group, Mucunguzi attempted to oppose the dominant gorilla but was unsuccessful and chased out, where it started living alone. After attacking another gorilla family, it eventually left with several females and started this new gorilla family. It is located in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park’s Rushaga area.

The Nyakagezi family is the sole habituated family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, unlike the other gorilla families. Nyakagezi now has nine members, including three silverbacks, and is led by Mark, the dominating silverback.

A silverback from the Habiyanja family named Mwirima was instrumental in creating the Rushegura gorilla family. The spot where the two siblings, Rwansigazi and Mwirima, split off is where the family gets its name. It has one silverback and 20 other members.

This family has been welcoming hikers since June 2011. Between Buhoma and Ruhija, you can catch a glimpse of their family. Tibirikwata is the name of the family’s silverback. There are 16 family members in all, with one silverback. 

NB:

The number of gorillas per family fluctuates owing to various factors; the numbers may increase or decrease. Please remember that these were the confirmed figures when this article was written.