Gorilla families in Uganda |Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park

Renowned for being the pearl of Africa, Uganda is home to almost half the total population of mountain gorillas in the world inhabiting the protected areas of Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park. Combining both national parks, Uganda has a total of 26 gorilla families each displaying unique behavior and characteristics however sharing the same family dynamics.

Mountain gorillas also scientifically known as Gorilla beringei beringei, live in closely integrated families led by an adult male known as the dominant silverback, who protects and guides the group. Each of the gorilla families in Uganda has its own name associated to the unique behavior of the members of the group or the location around which they reside.

Among the 26 habituated gorilla groups open for tourism, 25 of these gorilla families are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and only 1 gorilla family inhabits Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Each of these gorilla families offer tourists a rare and different experience as they observe these gentle giants up close in their natural habitat.

In Bwindi Impenetrable national park, the gorilla families/groups are distributed within the four sectors of Bwindi which are also commonly referred to as gates. These are; Rushaga sector, Nkuringo sector, Buhoma sector, and Ruhija sector each with a unique scenery, routes and habituated gorilla families. This division helps to manage the distribution of gorilla groups in this forest ensuring that each group has enough space to itself with a wide range of vegetation to feed on. This reduces environmental impact and allows effective monitoring of these endangered species.

As regulated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a maximum of 8 visitors is allowed to visit each of the different gorilla families per day. This is done with the aim of promoting sustainability and conservation of these endangered species.

Bwindi gorilla families/groups

1. Buhoma sector

Mubare Group/family

This is the first gorilla family to be habituated in April 1993 opening the door to sustainable gorilla trekking experiences. This group was named after the stunning Mubare hills around which the group was discovered. Initially, the Mubare group had a total of 12 members led by a dominant silverback Ruhondeza and over time grew to 18 members.  Unfortunately, due to instabilities in the group, this group lost some of its members and as of today, the Mubare group comprises 9 members led by the dominant silverback Kanyonyi.

Habinyanja Group/family

This group was first visited in 1999. It was named Habinyanja, a name originating from the word Nyanja meaning a water body in the local dialect among the people of Uganda. This group was named so because they were first sighted around a swamp in Bwindi impenetrable forest. This group split from the original Habinyanja group retaining its name and as of today, the Habinyanja group comprises 12 members including 2 silverbacks and is led by the dominant silverback Makara.

Rushegura Group/family

The Rushegura group was first trekked in 2002. This group was formed after the splitting of the Habinyanja group. The name was derived from a local tree specie Ebishegura that is in abundancy around the areas where this gorilla group lives. Initially, this group started with a total of 12 members and has grown up to 17 members under the leadership of a dominant silverback Mwirima. This group is known for its friendly nature and is often seen near the park lodges.

Katwe Group/family

This is the latest and last habituated gorilla group in the Buhoma sector. The Katwe gorilla family comprises 7 members including 1 silverback, 2 adult females, 2 black backs, and 2 sub-adult females. This group is led by a dominant silverback Katwe and a visit to this group will offer you an encounter with a close and compact gorilla family structure.

Muyambi Group/family

This one of the newest gorilla families in Bwindi offering fresh trekking experiences. The Muyambi group comprises 6 members and are led by a dominant silverback Muyambi.

Binyindo Group/family

The Binyindo comprises 9 members including 1 silverback, 5 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 1 infant and is led by the dominant silverback Binyindo hence the name of the group. This name was derived from the out standing nostril of the dominant silverback.

Kanyanyi Group/family

The Kanyanyi gorilla family is one of the newly habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. This group was named Kanyanyi, a word that means friendly due to the calm and gentle nature of the members of this group. The Kanyanyi group comprises 5 members and is led by a dominant silverback Kanyanyi.

2. Ruhija sector

Bitukura Group/family

The habituation group started in 2006. This group is led by a dominant silverback Mugisha who took over the leadership of the group after death of Ndahura on the 18th December 2016 who was then the leader of the group who passed away having fallen from a tree.  The Bitukura group currently comprises 13 members including 2 silverbacks, 2 black backs, 4 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, 2 juveniles and 2 infants. This group is famous for its multi-male tolerance that is, the group can comprise of up to 5 adult males living in the same group.

Oruzogo Group/family

This group was habituated in 2011. It was named Oruzogo after a local plant called Oruzogo which they majorly feed on hence the name of the group. Feeding on this plant species makes this group particularly different from the rest as most of the mountain gorillas rarely feed on this group. Currently, the Oruzogo group comprises 12 members including 1 silverback, 6 black backs, 2 adult females, 1 juvenile, and 2 infants and is led by the dominant silverback Tibirikwata.  Initially this group had 17 members however the number reduced from 17 to 11 after the split of the group when the silverback Kasimali left the group with 6 members.

Since this group comprises of juveniles and infants, it’s very popular for its lively interactions.

 Mukiza Group/family

Known as the larger Kyaguliro group, formed after the splitting of the main Kyaguliro group, the Mukiza family comprises 10 members including 1 silverback. This group is famous for spending most of its time deep within the forest. This group is led by the dominant silverback Mukiza who took over leadership from Rukina after his death.

Kyaguliro B Group/family

This is the smaller group formed after the splitting of the main Kyaguliro group. This comprises 8 members and is led by the dominant silverback Kyaguliro. This group is primarily reserved for research, giving visitors a chance to observe rare scientific interactions in the wild and is yet to be added to the gorilla booking system for trekking.

Happy gorilla Group/family

This is one of the newest fully habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. This group comprises 5 members however is yet to be added to the booking system for trekking.

3. Rushaga sector

Nshongi Group/family

This is the largest gorilla group ever to be habituated with about 36 members and was officially introduced for trekking in September, 2009. This group was named Nsongi after the river where they were first spotted. This gorilla family comprises 4 silverbacks. The group is led by a dominant silverback Nsongi who lived in harmony with the other 3 silverbacks and black backs.

In July 2010, this group split leaving the old Nshongi group with 26 members and the members who had left formed the present Mishaya group. In 2013, the family split further and the number reduced to 18 members forming the present Bweza group.

Mishaya Group/family

This group was formed in July, 2010 when the silverback Mishaya left the original Nsongi group with 9 members including females and decided to form his own family. The Mishaya group comprises 7 members including 1 silverback. The silverback Mishaya is a typical fighter and due to its nature was able to gather some more females from the non-habituated gorilla groups increasing the group size to 12 members. The silverback Nshongi is known for its strong and independent leadership.

Bweza Group/family

This is sub group formed after the splitting of the main Nshongi group when the silverback Mishaya decided to leave the Nshongi group and start its own group in 2010. He left the group with 9 members and among them was the silverback Bweza. At the end of 2012, Bweza chose to be independent and left the Mishaya group with about 6 other members forming the Bweza group.

Currently, the Bweza group comprises 9 members and is led by a dominant silver back Kakono. The group is known for the calm nature of its members.

Busingye Group/family

In 2012, some of the members of the Kahungye group broke off under the leadership of Busingye forming the Busingye gorilla family. The name Busingye means peace which is quite a contradiction given that the legendary silverback Busingye is known for its boldness and starting fights with other gorilla groups. The Busingye gorilla group comprises 10 members, led by the dominant silverback Busingye.

Kahungye Group/family

In 2011, the Kahungye group was opened for trekking and the group comprised of 27 members including 3 silverbacks. In less than a year, the split into two forming the new Busingye gorilla family. Currently, the Kahungye group comprises 18 members including 3 silverbacks and is led by the dominant silverback Gwigi. This group is known for its large size and cohesive dynamics.

Bikyingi Group/family

The Bikyingi group is currently led by the silverback Kaharata, who assumed leadership after defeating the former dominant silverback, Bikyingi, after whom the group was originally named. Bikyingi died following a fierce confrontation with Kaharata, who was then a solitary male in the Bikyingi area. The two had engaged in a series of confrontations over time, with this final battle marking the decisive climax that led to a shift in leadership and the reorganization of the group.

Following the death of the dominant silverback Bikyingi, the group temporarily disintegrated, with several members dispersing and some joining neighbouring families for example, about seven individuals integrated into the Kahungye group.

A thorough follow-up search later identified nine remaining members, including the solitary male who eventually became the new leader. The group has since re-formed and is currently composed of 12 members and is led by the dominant silverback Bikyingi. This group is still undergoing habituation therefore is open for the gorilla habituation experience.

Muchunguzi Group/family

Led by the dominant silverback Mucunguzi, the Mucunguzi gorilla family is a newly habituated group in Bwindi and it derives its name from the dominant silverback Mucunguzi. The word Mucunguzi means saviour. Before eventually evading the Bikingi group and starting his own group, the silverback. The Muchunguzi group comprises 8 members led by the dominant silverback Muchunguzi.

Rwigi Group/family

Formed after the splitting of the Bweza gorilla family, the Rwigi gorilla family comprises 7 members and led by the dominant silverback Rwigi. This group is known for being agile and elusive.

Tindatine Group/family

The Tindatine gorilla group was formed after the splitting of the Kahungye gorilla family. This gorilla family is usually spotted in the more rugged terrain of Bwindi Impenetrable national park and comprises 8 members led by the dominant silverback Tindatine.

Kutu Group/family

The Kutu gorilla family is one of the newly habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. This group comprises 8 members and is led by the dominant silverback Kutu. This group is known for its steady behaviour and it offers the most rewarding experience for patient trekkers.

4. Nkuringo sector

Nkuringo Group/family

Named Nkuringo, a local word among the Bakiga people meaning hill, the Nkuringo gorilla family was named so following the fact that their first sighting was around a hill. This group was opened for trekking in 2004.

This group was initially led by one silverback Nkuringo who died in April 2008, leaving behind 2 silverbacks that is, Safari and Rafiki. Safari took over the leadership of this group in November and in the same year, newborn twin baby gorillas Katungi and Muhozi were added to the group unfortunately Katungi died at the age of one and half years due to illness.

The Nkuringo gorilla family is one of the most challenging gorilla families to trek in Bwindi Impenetrable national park therefore requires a bit of fitness and energy. The Nkuringo group comprises 13 members led by the dominant silverback Rwamutwe with support of his brother Tabu.

Christmas Group/family

Christmas is the third most availed gorilla trekking group in Nkuringo sector that is open for trekking. This group is named after the dominant silverback Christmas who was named so since it was born on Christmas day. Christmas gorilla family comprises 8 members and is commonly seen in open forest clearings.

Bushao Group/family

This is the second most availed gorilla trekking family in the Nkuringo sector. This group comprises of 8 members and is led by the dominant silverback Bahati. The members of this group are recognized for their close social bonds and are frequently seen resting together on warm, sunlit slopes, highlighting their cohesive and calm group dynamics.

Posho Group/family

The Posho gorilla family comprises 17 members and is led by the dominant silverback Posho. This gorilla group was fully habituated as of 30th June 2023. The vibrant nature of the members of this group offers engaging treks with frequent sightings.

Mgahinga gorilla family/group: The Nyakagezi group

Carefully nested along the slopes of the beautiful Virunga massif in Mgahinga gorilla national park, is the Nyakagezi gorilla family, the only gorilla family within this national park. This gorilla family is located just a whisper away from Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park and the Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Nyakagezi gorilla group comprises of 9 members including 3 giant silverbacks. This group is led by the dominant silverback Mark who peacefully leads this group navigating the landscapes of Mgahinga national park along with the other two silverbacks Mafia and Rukundo.

The Nyakagezi gorilla group has closely connected members well known for their lively and sociable behavior, often engaging in playful interactions that make every visit memorable. Visitors can expect striking scenery, ever-changing movements, and intimate family moments that resemble scenes from a wildlife documentary. Although they roam across a broad range, their charm resonates with everyone, offering a gorilla trekking experience that is both vibrant and thrilling.