HABITUATED GORILLA FAMILIES IN UGANDA

There are only three places in the whole world privileged with gorillas. These all happen to be located in East Africa namely Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo with Uganda reported to have the largest number. In Uganda Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national park are the only two destinations with gorillas. Habitauted Gorilla families in Uganda are basicall in Mgahinga ad Bwindi.

Bwindi inhabits the greater number of these apes, with approximately 19 gorilla families and this makes mountain gorilla trekking a major activity in Bwindi impenetrable forest. Mgahinga national park on the other hand inhabits just one gorilla family where only 8 people can trek a day.

Mountain gorilla tracking areas in Bwindi

Bwindi is quite enormous therefore it is divided into 4 sectors namely; Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south, Ruhija in the east and Buhoma in the north of the park. There are various habituated gorilla families in Bwindi and Uganda at large.

HABITUATED GORILLA FAMILIES IN UGANDA

Mubare gorilla family

This was the first habituated gorilla families in Uganda. It is a family of 5 with Kanyonyi as the head of the family. This is a silverback family with 1 infant, 1 adult female and 2 sub-adult females.

Hibyanja gorilla family

Habituation of this family was done in 1999. It is also a silverback family with Makara as the head of the family. Other members in the family include Binyoko, Kisho, Maraya, Hakato, Nabukye, Rwansigazi, Gacyaro, Bangenyi, Nyamuhango, Rugyedi, Elas and Hamusini.

Rushegura gorilla family

This family of 19 broke off from the Habinyanja gorilla family and was opened for trekking in 2000. The family is headed by Mwirima and Kabukojo. It comprises of 5 infant gorillas, 5 juveniles, 5 adult females and 2 sub-adult females namely; Kyirinyi, Katabazi, Buzinza, Kibade, Nyamunmwa, Kafuruka, Karungyi, Nyampazi, Kibande Kanywanyi, Kibande, Kyirinvi, Karungyi, Nyamunwa, Buzinza, Ruterana and Kalembezi.  

Nkuringo gorilla family

The family was originally made up of 12 members however due to some disputes only 12 members stayed in the family with; 2 infants, 3 juveniles, 2 sub-adults, 2 adult females, and 1 silverback.

Bikingi gorilla family

This is a family of 15 that is still going through the habituation process therefore they have no leader.  It comprises of 1 silverback, 4 infants, 2 juveniles and 2 sub-adults.

Bushasho gorilla family

The Bushasho family was formed after some members split from the Nkuringo family and it is headed by Bahati, a silverback. It consists of 1 silverback, 1 infant, 1 juvenile, 1 sub-adult, 3 adult females and 1 black back.

Nshongi gorilla family

This family headed by Bweza, a powerful silverback comprises of 7 members that is; 3 adult females, 1 infant, 1 juvenile and 1 other silverback.

Mishaya gorilla family

The dominant silverback Mishaya who split from the Nshongi family heads this This family of 12 is headed by a dominant silverback called Mishaya who split from the Nshongi family.

Kahungye family

This is a family consisting of 17 members led by Rumaz, a dominant silverback. The family has other members that is; are 2 infants, 3 juvenile, 3 sub-adults, 3 silverbacks, and 3 adult females. 

Busingye gorilla family

This family of 9 that broke off from the Kahungye gorilla family and is headed by a dominant silverback called Busingye.

Bweza gorilla family

Bweza family is headed by a dominant silverback Kakono and consists of 23 members that is; 2 infants, 4 black backs, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females and 1 sub-adult.

Kyaguliro gorilla family

This family is rarely trekked because it is major project for researchers. The family of 20 is divided into two sections that is kyaguliro A and B.

Kyaguliro A consists of 10 members headed by a dominant silverback, Rukara. The other members include 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, 2 black backs and 2 infants.

Kyaguliro B also comprises of 10 members headed by Mukiza, a dominant silverback. It also has 1 adult, 4 infants and 4 adult females.

Butikura gorilla family

This is a 24 member family which was started in 2007 however, due to some disputes some members ran off and just a family of 14 was left behind. This family consists of 4 silverbacks, 3 infants, 4 adult female, 1 baby, and 2 juveniles.

Oruzogo gorilla family

This family was opened for tourism in 2007 and consists of 17 members including adult females, silverbacks, 3 infants and 3 adult males that is;  Musenene, Muhumuza , Nyabirano, Mukwano, Nyangaro, Mutesi, Katoto, Nyakina, Ruchura, Kaganga, Bakwate, Kasumali, Paska, Mufuruki and Musana.

Nyakagezi gorilla family

Mgahinga has only one gorilla family which is Nyakagezi gorilla family. It consists of 9 members with some being silverbacks namely Matthew and Mafia. It also has adult females called Nyuramwiza and Nsuti. Furthermore, there is a juvenile, Nkanda and an infant Mutagmba. This family sometimes migrates to Rwanda and Congo.

Bwindi impenetrable forest is the best destination because not only does it have the highest population but also offers a variety of safari packages and that can go as far as Rwanda.