Uganda gorilla families.
Uganda is a countries that has more mountain gorilla families that one can trek in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park, Uganda Gorilla Families are more than 20 which are based in groups of 25 – 45 and led by the silver back male Gorilla that are habituated to be seen by visitors on a Gorilla trekking safari.
Gorillas are great primates with huge brains but no tails. Within Uganda these apes can only be found in two protected areas namely Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla national Park which are both located in the southwestern part of Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Located in Kisoro, Rubanda and Kanungu districts, covering an area of 331 square kilometers. This park is well known for harboring a large number of gorillas – about 659 according to the gorilla census in 2019 which makes it almost half of all mountain gorillas in the world. There are also interesting and beautiful bird species that make over 347 bird species hence becoming a bird watchers’ paradise.
Mgahinga gorilla national Park
Established in 1991 and it covers an area of 33.9 square kilometers. It is found in Kisoro district with an approximate number of gorillas which are about 300 but only 15 gorillas are habituated. Mgahinga gorilla national Park is in Uganda but borders Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo therefore these primates used to freely move across all three countries.
In addition to the above, gorillas live in families also known as groups and Bwindi impenetrable national park consists of over 20 gorilla families and one in Mgahinga gorilla national park.
Habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Mubare gorilla family.
Mubare gorilla family is believed to be the oldest habituated gorilla group in Uganda. In 1998, it was fully habituated with its dominant male called Ruhondeza who later died due to a fight between them and neighboring group leaving many gorilla members dead. So interesting the ones that survived remained in a group led by Kanyonyi the silver back.
- Habinyanja gorilla family
Habinyanja is a local word which originates from the word Nyanja meaning a water body where this group was first sighted. The group was first visited in 1999 and the presence of many powerful dominant males caused a fight with the silverback hence splitting and forming another group called Rushegura family.
- Muyambi gorilla family
The Muyambi gorilla group also separated from Mubare family. It’s a new group in the Buhoma region in Bwindi formed just recently in 2019. Muyambi was an adult male in Mubare gorilla family who later separated and formed his group which is Muyambi gorilla group now.
Groups in Ruhija sector.
- Bitukura gorilla family
This group was permanently started in 2007 for the trekkers to visit them. The name derives from the river where the group was first spotted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) park ranger. This group is easy to trek because group members normally spend time around the Ruhija tourism station in Bwindi impenetrable national park or along the edges of the forest.
- Oruzogo family
Members of this family mostly the juveniles and the toddlers are more playful and energetic making many tourists like it more. The name originated from the tree they used to feed on known as alchornea hitela locally meaning Oruzogo and the group is found in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi.
They are very many gorilla families found in Bwindi impenetrable national Park and Mgahinga at large to the extent that they can’t all be explained in this article. But some are outlined below, Kyaguriro family which was formed in 2015, Mukiza gorilla family which was once under the Kyaguriro family, Nkuringo gorilla family and Nshongi gorilla family in Rushaga sector.
Quite interesting, gorillas in all groups have the same behaviors of grooming, screaming, taking care of the young ones, charging, and others. Therefore, for more information and inquiries about gorilla families in Uganda, you are free to contact our expert for help.
You need to carry cameras to take photos, binoculars, energy-giving snacks like biscuits and cookies, rain gears like jackets, insect repellents, sun screen and since the walk consists of short hikes and carry good hiking shoes for the best of your trip.
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