Buhoma Sector Of Bwindi National Park

The Buhoma Sector is home to seven habituated gorilla families available for tourist visits.

Habinyanja Gorilla Family

The Habinyanja gorilla family consists of 18 members, including 2 silverbacks, and is situated in Buhoma. The group received the first visit from tourists in 1999. This name is derived from a local term in Nyanja that signifies a body of water. The reference also pertains to the swamp in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where the group had originally observed. The Habinyanja is an intriguing family characterized by considerable commotion and drama. The situation arose from the power dynamics between the dominant silverback and the contests for family leadership. It is not uncommon for a large family to separate and establish a new gorilla group. Occasionally, this new group may include individuals who have been rejected by other families or solitary gorillas. When this occurs, the bonds of brotherhood are maintained, and they refrain from engaging in conflict with former family members should they encounter one another. The tourists accompanying this family require between 3 to 8 hours, and it would be advisable for them to stay at any lodge in the Buhoma area of Bwindi. The group is led by the intelligent alpha female known as the Kisho.

Mubare Gorilla Family

This was the first group that was trained to be tracked. They were trained starting in 1991, and they were named after the beautiful Mubare Hills where they were found. The family consists of 9 members, including 1 silverback, and is located in Buhoma. The group began with 12 family members under the leadership of the prominent silverback, ‘Ruhondeza’. Over the course of a few years, the group expanded to include 18 individuals. Regrettably, as a result of conflicts with rival groups, it suffered the loss of several members, including Ruhondeza, who was responsible for the well-being of the entire party. The group maintained a stable membership of five for several years until March 2013, when four additional members, including a new dominant silverback, joined. It has since become a captivating group to observe.

Rushegura Gorilla Family

Rushegura Group was established in 2000 for tracking and began receiving tourists in 2002. The group is substantial within the Buhoma area. The group consists of 19 members, including one silverback, situated in Buhoma. A total of 12 individuals were initially involved, comprising 5 females. The ‘Habinyanya 2 group’ was promptly assigned a new name that originates from ‘Ebishegura’. A tree species that was prevalent in the home region of the new family. The Rushegura group exhibits a composed and harmonious dynamic. Historically, individuals would cross the border to visit the neighboring DRC periodically, but they consistently returned to Buhoma village and occasionally explored the gardens of Gorilla Forest Camp.

Katwe Gorilla Family

The Katwe Gorilla Family consists of seven members: one silverback, two adult females, two blackbacks, and two sub-adult females, as of December 2019. The Katwe gorilla family represents the fourth and most recent habituated gorilla group in the Buhoma Sector. The group is led by the prominent Silverback known as “Mahaane.”

Kanywanyi Gorilla Family

This is a newly habituated gorilla family designated for tourism in the Buhoma Sector. The composition consists of five individuals. The family is stable and has not yet been integrated into the Gorilla Booking System.
Ruhijja Sector

The Ruhija Sector is home to six different gorilla families, namely;

Bitukura Gorilla Family

Bitukura Group is one of the latest additions to the forest community. It is located and traverses the lush forest in the Ruhija region. This family consists of 14 members, including 4 silverbacks, situated in Ruhija. The Bitukura group derives its name from the river where the family members originally observed. The habituation process that began in July 2007 was notably efficient, as the gorillas were accessible to tourists within just 15 months of initiation. Bitukura is a harmonious family unit consisting of four silverbacks and several lively juveniles. They maintain a strong relationship and frequently hold meetings or gatherings. Initially, the group consisted of 24 members; however, due to internal disputes, some gorillas opted to depart from the group and were likely integrated into other families. For a visit to this family, it is recommended to reside in the Ruhija Sector.

Kyaguriro: A Gorilla Family

The group consists of 7 members, including Kyaguriro, which is another habituated gorilla group that is not accessible to tourists and has been designated for research and other studies.

Oruzogo Gorilla Family

This family consists of 16 members, including one silverback, situated in the Ruhija sector. The Oruzongo group is one of the newly established gorilla families now available for visitor access in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This family is located in the Ruhija area and is led by a dominant silverback known as ‘Tibirikwata.’ The most recent habituated gorilla family was opened for tourism in 2011. This enhanced the significant opportunity for additional visitors to observe the gorillas in Bwindi. This family is among the most favored by tourists, not only due to its size but also because of the lively and spirited juveniles and toddlers within the group. The group’s sole issue in the Ruhija Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the scarcity of lodging options, particularly those that are affordable. While it is feasible for visitors to stay in the Buhoma area, which is more than an hour’s drive away, it is not recommended to then travel to the Ruhija area for a pre-tracking orientation.

Mukiza Gorilla Family

The group was initially recognized as Kyaguliro prior to the division that occurred following the passing of the dominant silverback, Rukina. The passing of Rukina marked the beginning of Mukiza’s leadership within the family.

KYAGULIRO B Gorilla Family

Kyaguliro B is a subgroup derived from Kyaguliro A. The composition consists of eight individuals. The group has not yet been integrated into the Gorilla Booking System. Kyaguliro B separated from Kyaguliro A following the passing of the dominant silverback Rukina and retained the name Kyaguliro.

Happy Gorilla Family

This gorilla family consists of five members.
The family has been fully integrated and will soon be incorporated into the Central Reservation System.

Rushaga Sector Of Bwindi National Park

The Rushaga Sector is home to 10 habituated gorilla families.

Nshongi Gorilla Family

The family consists of 18 members and represents the largest group ever recorded, comprising approximately 36 gorilla members. This group was officially introduced in September 2009. It was named after the Nshongi River, the location where the gorilla family was first discovered. Typically, gorilla families comprise around 25 members and include one or two silverbacks; however, this particular group was unusual, featuring four silverbacks. It is noteworthy that the group is led by Nshongi, who is not the eldest silverback in the family. Additionally, the three silverbacks and seven blackbacks coexist harmoniously, demonstrating no inclination towards leadership struggles. In July 2010, the group underwent a split, resulting in 26 members remaining with the formation of the current Mishaya Gorilla group by the others. In 2013, the family underwent a further division, resulting in a total of 18 members, with the new split giving rise to the current Bweza Gorilla Group, which comprises 10 members. The Nsongi Gorilla Group resides in an expansive forested region, offering opportunities to observe various primates, birds, and butterflies.

Mishaya Gorilla Family

This family consists of seven members, including one silverback, and is situated in Rushaga. In July 2010, silverback Mashaya made the decision to depart from the Nshongi Gorilla group, taking several females with him to establish his own family. He is a typical fighter and successfully gathered additional females from other non-habituated groups in the area, resulting in a total group size of 12 gorillas, including three infants. Mishaya serves as the sole adult within the group and is recognized for her assertive nature, frequently initiating interactions with other gorilla families. By the end of 2013, the group consisted of 7 gorillas; however, some gorilla families occasionally welcomed friends or gained additional members through successful confrontations. Visitors typically depart from the park headquarters located at Rushaga. For individuals opting to walk, it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the trailhead. The Silverback Mishaya departed from the Nshongi Group along with 9 others in July 2010 to establish the Mishaya Group within the Kahungye gorilla family.

Kahungye Gorilla Family

This family consists of 13 members, including 3 silverbacks, who are the only individuals identified by name. The leading silverback is referred to as Rumansi, accompanied by the two older male gorillas known as Rwigi and Ruhamuka. The group became accessible to visitors and gorilla tracking in 2011; however, within a year, the group divided, resulting in the formation of the new Busingye Gorilla Family. Prior to the separation, the family comprised 27 individuals, including 3 silverbacks. Busingye is a recently established group located in the Rushaga sector, in proximity to the Nshongi and Mishaya gorilla groups.

Bweza Gorilla Family

This gorilla family consists of seven members, including one silverback. This family belongs to the Nshongi group, which was historically the largest habituated group in Bwindi. In 2010, silverback Mishaya made the decision to depart from the group to establish his own family, taking with him a considerable number of members, including silverback Bweza. In late 2012, Bweza made the decision to pursue independence, departing alongside approximately six other members from the Mishaya gorilla group.

Busingye Gorilla Family

This family consists of 9 members, including 1 silverback. The Busigye family is a distinct gorilla group that separated from the Kahungye family in 2012. Busingye, the silverback, made the decision to separate and establish his own family. Busingye translates to ‘peace,’ which is quite intriguing given that this ambitious silverback is renowned for his legendary confrontations with other gorilla groups. He demonstrates his dominance, and when he comes across a wild family, he assertively takes a female to incorporate into his own family. Permits are obtained from the local office of the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Bwindi.

Rwigi Gorilla Family

The Rwigi Gorilla Family consists of seven individuals. The Rwigi Gorilla Family is a subgroup that has separated from the Bweza Gorilla Family in the Rushaga Sector. The gorilla family has not been incorporated into the Central Reservation System at this time.

Tindatine Gorilla Family

The Tindatine Gorilla Family consists of eight individuals. This family is a subgroup derived from the Kahungye Gorilla Family located in the Rushaga Sector of Bwindi.

Nkuringo Sector Of Bwindi National Park

The Nkuringo Sector is home to four distinct gorilla families.

Nkuringo Gorilla Family

Nkuringo is derived from a local term meaning ‘round hill’ in the Rukiga language, which refers to the hill where the group originally observed. The Nkuringo group was established in 2004 following a two-year habituation process. Their habituation can be attributed to their ongoing exploration of local community gardens, where they feed on bananas, sweet potatoes, and various other crops.

The family was headed by a silverback named Nkuringo, who passed away in April 2008, leaving behind two silverbacks, Safari and Rafiki. In November of the same year, Safari assumed leadership, and the family was further expanded with the arrival of newborn twin gorillas, Katungi and Muhozi. Regrettably, Katungi passed away at the age of one and a half years as a result of illness. Monitoring the Nkuringo Group requires additional effort and endurance. This is likely the most challenging trek in Uganda. However, few are expressing dissatisfaction regarding their exhaustion; a more fitting term would be exhilarated after such a remarkable experience. The Nkuringo family represents a significant collective in the southern scenic region of Nkuringo, offering an experience that should not be overlooked. The group consists of 19 members, which includes 2 silverbacks.

Bushaho Gorilla Family — 12 members (July 2021)

Bushaho represents the second gorilla family made available by UWA for gorilla trekking in the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bahati, the dominant silverback, takes charge of the group.

Christmas Gorilla Family — Six members (July 2021)

The Christmas group is the third gorilla group designated for trekking in the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi. The group is appropriately named after the prominent silverback, Christmas, who was born on Christmas day in the Nkuringo Group.

Posho Gorilla Family — 14 Members (July 2021)

The Posho gorilla family is currently undergoing the habituation process in the Nkuringo Sector of Bwindi. The Silverback Magara, a dominant figure, leads a group consisting of 14 members on the ground. The Posho Gorilla Family consists of 17 members. It was completely habituated by June 30, 2023. The gorilla family has not been incorporated into the gorilla booking and reservation system at this time.