What is the Best Gorilla Family in Bwindi National Park?

What is the best mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park? Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in Kanungu, Kisoro, and Kabale districts. The park is home to the endemic mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas live in families led by an adult male known as Silverback. They also share 98%of the DNA with human beings. Gorilla trekking is this park’s main activity, which travelers on their Uganda safaris engage in. Gorilla trekking is done in the park’s four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Each sector has several gorilla-habituated families that are available for the gorilla trekking. The habituated gorilla families are the ones that are familiar with human presence.

The Gorilla habituation process takes about 2 years at the park. Usually, travelers know that Uganda has difficult gorilla trekking yet travelers can easily track gorillas for less than 3 hours within which the gorillas are met. Gorilla trekking takes about 2 to 7 hours of the day. Upon meeting a gorilla family, trekkers are allowed to spend one hour in their presence to view the gorillas. In the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, there are over 25 gorilla-habituated families. These gorilla families are scattered in the different sectors of the park.

Gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

There are several gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the different sectors and some of these families include;

Nkuringo family

This was the first gorilla family to be sited in the Nkuringo Sector of the park. The family was known for destroying people’s crops neighboring the area. Nkuringo is a local word meaning the rolling hills and the family was named after the several rolling hills in the park. The family was set for the gorilla trekking in 2004 and in 2008 their leader Nkuringo died. Currently, the family is led by Rafiki the dominant silverback. The family consists of 12 members and 2 silver backs. This is one of the best mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Christmas gorilla family

This family is one of the newly habituated families for the gorilla trekking. The family is led by the dominant silverback Christmas which was produced on Christmas day. This is the best mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The family consists of 9 members with one silver back and a baby gorilla.

Bitukura gorilla family

Located in the Ruhija sector, the family originates its name from the River Bitukura where it was first sited. The family has four silverbacks living together in harmony and also with the retired karamuzi. The others are Rukumu and Mugisha who are submissive to Ndahura. The habituation process started in 2007 and it was set for the gorilla trekking in 2008.

Oruzogo gorilla family

Oruzogo gorilla family was opened for gorilla trekking in 2011 under the leadership of the Tibirikwata Silver Back. This was the largest group in Ruhija but later the group split up with 10 members. The Oruzogo family originates its name from a local plant in the area called the Oruzogoto which is near the family. This is the best mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Nshongi gorilla family

The group was one of the large families but it later split up forming the Bweza family. The group gets its name from the Nshongi River where it was first sited. The family started the habituation process in 2007 and it was set for the gorilla trekking in 2009. Currently, there are over 7 members in the family.

Kahungye gorilla family

This family was first sited on the Kahungye hill where its name originates from. The habituation process started in 2009 and it was set for trekking in 2011. The family was led by silverback Ruhemuka who died due to severe injuries in 2013. Currently, the group is led by Silverback Gwigi and his assistant Rumanzi.

Habinyanja gorilla family

Found in the Buhoma sector of the park and habituated in 1996. The family was about 25 members under the leadership of Silver back Mugurisi who died due to old age. There were several disputes due to the succession as Rwansigazi, Mwirima, and Makara were fighting and this led to the splitting of the group. In 2002, Rwangsigazi split maintaining the group and Mwirima also formed the Rushegura gorilla group.

Muyambi gorilla family

One of the new gorilla families in the Buhoma sector which was started in 2019 originated from the Mubare gorilla family which was the first in the park. The Muyambi silverback was one of the members of this group.

These are a few of the best mountain gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Taking a Uganda gorilla trekking safari allows you to spend one hour in the presence of any of these families. This is a perfect time to watch them play, mate, and dine.

Note: Mountain gorillas are critically endangered species and the Uganda Wildlife is doing its best to conserve them for generations to come. You are therefore advised to ensure that you travel sustainably during your Uganda gorilla trekking safari or tour. Follow the gorilla trekking rules and regulations throughout the activity. Additionally, part of the money paid for gorilla permits goes directly to the neighboring communities. This is one way of ensuring that communities benefit from tourism.

What are the requirements for gorilla trekking in Bwindi?

There are several requirements for gorilla trekking in the Bwindi impenetrable national park and they include;

A gorilla trekking permit is one of the key requirements that travelers must have to see the gorillas.
Travelers must be at least physically fit for the trekking
Travelers should have waterproof items of clothing, hiking boots, and sticks.
Travelers should at least be aged at least 15 years and above.
Travelers are required to have booked in time a gorilla permit to ensure availability.

Essentials to acquire a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda

While in Uganda planning a gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, travelers are supposed to know the following requirements.

The price of the gorilla permit is 800 dollars for foreign nonresidents, 500 dollars for the rest of Africa,700 dollars for foreign residents, and 300,000 Ugandan shillings.
A copy of the Valid passport which is required for booking the permit.
Early booking to ensure availability.
Gorilla trekking dos and don’ts.

Now that you have read about the best gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you can book your trip and trek these gentle giants.