Volcanoes National Park contains ten gorilla groups. In total, the park is home to around 380 mountain gorillas. The volcanoes national park is part of the larger Virunga mountain ranges, which stretch all the way to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Virunga Mountains are home to around 500 mountain gorillas. The remaining half reside in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla parks.
Mountain gorilla families are led by a dominant silverback. During gorilla excursions, gorilla families are assigned depending on their preferences, lodging, and general level of fitness. Some gorilla groups reside deep in the jungle, necessitating more tracking hours. Rwanda is home to ten habituated gorilla populations. In Rwanda, gorilla families are segregated into two groups: those for study and those available to visitors. Shida and Beetsme are research groups with the greatest number of members.
Only eight persons can visit each gorilla group in a day, as is done with Uganda’s gorilla families. This means that just 80 Gorilla permits are available for reservation on any given day. Some of these groupings must be located through challenging and often steep terrain. Every day, gorilla groups in Rwanda travel to a new area to make fresh nests for the night. Every organization has its own set of obstacles and possibilities when it comes to tracking. If you are unsure about your general fitness, there are hired porters who will assist you all the way up.
Habituated Gorilla Families in Rwanda
The 10 habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda are:-
Susa Gorilla Group (Susa A Family)
Karisimbi Gorilla Group (Susa-B)
Sabyinyo Gorilla Group
Amahoro Gorilla Group
Umubano Gorilla Group
Agashya Gorilla Group
Kwitonda Gorilla Group
Hirwa Gorilla Group
Bwenge Family Group
Ugenda Gorilla Family
The best gorilla families to trek in Rwanda
Susa Gorilla Group (Susa A Family):
The Susa gorilla troop, made famous by scientist Dian Fossey and her research efforts, is one of the most popular among tourists. The gang now has 28 members, including three silverbacks. The name “Susa” was derived from the adjacent Susa river in Kinyarwanda. The gorilla gang had 42 members before splitting into two due to a quarrel. This gorilla family prefers to dwell high in the mountains, making tracking them the most difficult – often taking a whole day.
Park rangers always know where they are, but if they walk too far away, tourists may be denied admission. Byishimo and Impano, the famed mischievous young twins, keep this gorilla group active and entertaining to watch. Then there’s Poppy, one of the most accustomed gorillas. If you are adventurous and physically active, this is the gorilla family for you.
Karisimbi Gorilla Group (Susa-B):
This gorilla troop includes 15 individuals and is generally found on the Karisimbi volcano’s slopes. Susa-B, also known as Karisimbi, is the gorilla family that separated from Susa (Susa-A) following a protracted feud. This gorilla troop is difficult to trace, and if they roam too far on a given day, gorilla tracking efforts may be canceled. Trackers normally travel ahead of the tourists to check the position of the gorilla family and then convey this information to colleagues who are leading the tourists. If you are in good form and can manage the lengthy climb up the Karisimbi volcanic slopes, you will be rewarded with breathtaking beauty that will make the entire trip worthwhile.
Sabyinyo Gorilla Group:
Guhonda, the formidable silverback, leads a small gorilla troop of roughly 8 individuals. Guhonda, at 220kgs, is possibly the park’s biggest silverback. The Sabyinyo “Old Man’s Teeth” Volcano, which they reside surrounding, inspired the group’s name. Guhonda has kept his family together by keeping his rival silverback Ryango out of the group. Because they remain along the park’s perimeter, the group of playful kids is easy to see.
Amahoro Gorilla Group:
Ubumbwe leads the Amahoro gorilla family of 17 individuals. The name of the group means “peaceful,” and Ubumbwe, the dominant silverback, has always exemplified this trait while leading the group. Even after losing a few group members to Charles, another silverback who was formerly in the group, Ubumbwe remains quiet and serene. Charles used Ubumbwe’s tranquility to kidnap some girls and start the Umubano gang. The Amahoro gorilla family dwells on Mount Visoke’s slopes. Despite the fact that reaching the group requires descending a steep slope, tourists enjoy this group due of its youngsters, predictability, and tranquility.
Umubano Gorilla Group:
Umubano translates as “living together.” The Umubano tribe was previously part of the Amahoro clan until Charles, the leader, rebelled against Ubumbwe, the Amahoro’s dominating silverback. As he grew older, he began to challenge the composed Amahoro group leader. After a persistent clash with Ubumbwe, Charles decided to flee with several Amahoro family girls to start his own. The gorilla family consists of 11 members with 6 children and lives in the same region as the Amahoro family. Many tourists visit this gorilla group because of the ease with which they can be reached and the group’s distinct personality.
Agashya Gorilla Group:
This gang was known as “Group 13,” and it was commanded by Nyakarima before Agashya challenged him to a fatal duel, following which he fled up the volcano with the entire family. This was the first total conquest seen by gorilla biologists. Agashya continued to expand his family by kidnapping members from other groups and taking on loners after relocating as far away from Nyakarima as possible. The group departs near the Sabyinyo gorillas. Agashya collects all members and runs to his preferred safety area on top of the volcano whenever he feels threat for the group. As a result, tracking the gorilla troop might be challenging. The club has expanded from 13 to over 25 members.
Kwitonda Gorilla Group:
With 18 members, including two silverbacks, this is a challenging group to follow. This tribe, led by Kwitonda (Kinyarwanda for “modest one”), descended from Gorilla groups in Congo. They dwell on the slopes of Mount Muhabura, but they wander across a broad geographical region, making tracking difficult yet thrilling.
Hirwa Gorilla Group:
This is a newer group that was formed after certain members of Group 13 and the Sabyinyo family decided to start their own. They may be found on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, where they are headed by a dominating and protective silverback. The Hirwa moniker means “lucky one,” since the organization was fortunate to have more people join them freely. This uncommon group formation was observed in 2006 and currently includes twins. On some days, it may be difficult to locate this group.
Bwenge Family Group:
Bwenge translates as “wisdom.” Members of the gorilla gang appeared in the play “Gorillas in the Mist.” Bwenge, the dominant silverback, founded the group in 2007 after abandoning his original group and being joined by female members from other families. The family consists of 11 people, but getting to them is tough since they reside on the slopes of Karisoke Volcano, up a steep and occasionally muddy path.
Ugenda Gorilla Family:
The Ugenda tribe has 11 members, including two silverbacks, and resides in the Karisimbi region. Ugenda means “being on the go” in Kinyarwanda and was used to describe the group’s nomadic lifestyle. Tracking them might be challenging on some days due to their roving nature.
