Mubare Gorilla Family
The Mubare gorilla family can be found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It has been available for tracking since it was made used to humans in 1993. Located in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this family is one of the oldest. The process to make them accustomed to human presence took around 2 years. The term “Mubare” comes from a local word that translates to “hills”. Visitors noticed this family while exploring the deeper Mubare hills in the park.
Initially, the family was headed by a silverback named Ruhondeza, who had over 19 family members. Ruhondeza passed away during a battle with another silverback. However, others believe he died peacefully in his sleep due to old age. Over time, the family lost members, and by 2012, records from the Uganda Wildlife Authority showed there were only about five left. Currently, Kanyonyi, a silverback, leads the family and has included some new members, bringing the total to about eight.
How long does tracking the Mubare family take?
Tracking the gorillas is a key activity for visitors wishing to see the gorillas within the forest. The Mubare gorilla family tracking usually lasts between 2 to 7 hours, depending on where you begin. Once visitors locate the gorillas, they can spend 1 hour observing them in their natural habitat while keeping a distance of 7 meters.
How much is the trekking permit for visiting the Ruhondeza family?
To track the Ruhondeza gorilla family, visitors must obtain a gorilla trekking permit. This permit is an official document allowing people to see mountain gorillas. To get a gorilla trekking permit, tourists need to go through reliable and licensed tour operators. The Uganda Wildlife Authority provides permits only to authorized tour operators.
The price for the permit is 800 USD for foreign non-residents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 500 USD for other Africans, and 300,000 UGX for residents of East Africa. Travelers need to book in advance to secure availability on the day of tracking. Visitors are also advised to share their travel details, personal information, and payment for the permit.
Where to stay while trekking to the Ruhondeza family?
Choosing where to stay during gorilla trekking is essential for travelers to enjoy their safari. Accommodation options range from mid-range to budget and luxury facilities. These options can be found in the Buhoma sector of the park. Some examples of these accommodations are Buhoma Community Haven Lodge, Ride 4 a Woman Community Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Sanctuary Gorilla Lodge, Trackers Safari Lodge, Ruhondeza Lodge, and Buhoma Community Rest Camp, among others. It is advised for travelers to make early bookings to ensure that they have a place during their safari.
When is the ideal time to see the Ruhondeza Gorilla family?
The family can be visited all year long. The optimal times to go to the Ruhondeza gorilla family are in the dry seasons, which are from June to September and from December to February. During these months, the park tends to be dry and visibility for tracking is good. The paths for tracking are typically dry and easy to navigate.
