Do you want to learn about all of Uganda’s gorilla groups? Or do you want to know which Uganda gorilla tribe to trek with? Uganda has 14 habituated gorilla families, with each group consisting of 10 to 40 individuals of varied ages, led by a silverback gorilla (the group’s eldest male). Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to 12 habituated gorilla groups and two more families for gorilla habituation experiences. Each day, only 8 gorilla licenses are available for each gorilla group. Names are given to gorilla families based on their formation history, group location, and the name of the dominant silverback.
Mgahinga National Park is home to only one Uganda gorilla family, the Nyakagezi. Despite having one of the largest gorilla families in the world, Mgahinga receives few people for gorilla excursions. Mgahinga Gorilla Park is the greatest spot to go if you want to become acquainted with gorillas. The following paragraphs give detailed information about each of Uganda’s mountain gorilla tribes. In Uganda, the gorilla groups are as follows:
Mubare Gorilla Family – Buhoma (Bwindi)
Habinyanja Gorilla Family – Buhoma (Bwindi)
Rushegura Gorilla Family – Buhoma (Bwindi)
Bitukura Gorilla Family- Ruhija (Bwindi)
Oruzogo Gorilla Family – Ruhija (Bwindi)
Nkuringo Gorilla Family – Nkuringo (Bwindi)
Nshongi Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
Mishaya Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
Kahungye Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
Bweza Gorilla Family- Rushaga (Bwindi)
Busingye Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
Kyaguriro Gorilla Family – (Ruhija)
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family – (Mgahinga)
Gorilla Families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park
Mubare Gorilla Family – Buhoma (Bwindi)
This is the simplest family to monitor in Bwindi because of their position. Mubare was named after the first gorilla trackers in the region. Kanyonyi now leads an eight-member group. This is Uganda’s oldest gorilla group, having established in 1993. Initially led by Ruhondeza, the organization has shrunk in size over the years, from 18 members when initially seen. By 2012, there were around 5 members remaining due to infighting, death, and member relocation to other groups.
Ruhondeza’s leadership ended in 2012, when another gang invaded and kidnapped his girls. Ruhondeza lived for more than 50 years and was followed by researchers until his death. His grave is marked and may be found with the help of a guide.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family – Buhoma (Bwindi)
This gorilla troop was one of the first to welcome visitors. Makara, who took over for Habinyanja, leads the group of 17 people. This gang was formed in 1997 and was led by silverback Mugurisi at the time (old man). Because they were originally spotted near a marsh in Bwindi, the group was dubbed “Habinyanja” (place with water) in Rukiga. Mugurisi was succeeded by his two brothers Rwansigazi and Mwirima, who possessed various personality qualities, after he died of old age. Mwirima preferred to stay within a restricted range, but Rwansigazi like to explore other areas of the forest. The two brothers divorced quietly in 2002. Rwansigazi withdrew with a portion of the gang and kept the name “Habinyanja,” while Mirimas’ group was renamed the Rushegura family.
Rushegura Gorilla Family – Buhoma (Bwindi)
The Rushegura tribe has 19 members, including one silverback. This is the group that was founded in 2002 when Rwansigazi and Mwirima broke away from the bigger Habinyanja faction. The name Rushegura is derived from “Ebishegura,” a tree species found in the family’s homeland. Mwirima’s ability to maintain a secure and quiet family is impressive, especially given that the number of people expanded from 12 to 19 by April 2010. Mwirima, who is around 25 years old, is strong and aggressive, never shying away from facing wild groups that threaten his dominance. Because of the groups’ stability and tranquility, they are not afraid to approach humans and may be seen in the lodge gardens.
Bitukura Gorilla Family- Ruhija (Bwindi)
From the initial 24 members, the Bitukura Family now comprises 14 members. Ndahura, who took over for the now-retired Karamuzi, leads the group. The group, which includes three additional silverbacks, is named after a river in their region. Whereas mountain gorillas require two or more years to habituate, this family took only 15 months. Visitors were allowed for the first time in October 2008, although the group had previously had several contacts with park officers whenever they interacted with the already habituated Kyaguriro family.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family – Ruhija (Bwindi)
This is a huge group by normal standards, with 25 members. It is the second family in Ruhija and consists of two silverbacks. Tibirikwata is the leader of the organization, which initially welcomed guests in 2011. The group has developed and is well-liked by tourists as a consequence of the fun children born to the females Ntamurungi (June 2011), Musi (October 2011), and Kakoba (March 2012).
Nkuringo Gorilla Family – Nkuringo (Bwindi)
Nkuringo, the great silverback, lead the group, which currently numbers 19 people. Rafiki and Safari, his two silverbacks, survived his death in 2008. Safari, his son, succeeded him. The group was originally sighted near a circular hill, thus the Rukiga name “Nkuringo.” Because the group resided near the communities outside the park, they had regular interactions with humans and frequently snuck to consume crops, causing confrontations. In 2008, it was determined to habituate the group in order to let the community to benefit from tourism and consider gorilla conservation as providing economic prospects to them.
Nshongi Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
The Nshongi family had 37 members when the group was accessible to visitors and tourists in 2009, making it the biggest ever habituated. It presently has 26 members and four silverbacks. The Nshongi family was initially found along a river, thus the name (referring to the deep honey-like color of the river). The family was unusual when it opened for tourists in September 2009 owing to its vast size. Despite the several silverbacks, the family lived in harmony before splitting in 2010. The Nshongi group, led by silverback Nshongi, stayed with 26 members, while silverback Mishaya withdrew with ten.
Mishaya Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
When Mishaya departed Nshongi in 2010, he was known for provoking conflicts with other gorilla families not just to protect his own, but also to kidnap females from neighbors. He was able to gather a few ladies but was injured during one of the bouts with a wild gorilla family (not habituated). Fortunately, he was treated nearby by gorilla conservation physicians. Mishaya is the sole dominating silverback among the group’s 12 members.
Kahungye Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
Rumansi leads a gang of 13 people, including three silverbacks. Ruhamuka and Rwigi are the other two elderly men. The group only recently (2011) opened to the public. When habituated, the group had 27 members, but it separated soon after, forming another group called Busingye. “Gwigi” leads the Kahungye group (door in the local dialect).
Bweza Gorilla Family- Rushaga (Bwindi)
This group first welcomed guests in 2012. The group descends from the Nshongi gorilla family, the largest ever habituated in Bwindi. When Silverback Mishaya divorced Nshongi in 2010, Bweza abandoned him two years later (2012), leaving him with six members. Bweza still leads the gang of nine people.
Busingye Gorilla Family – Rushaga (Bwindi)
This group first welcomed guests in 2013. Busingye is the leader of this group of nine people that broke away from the Kahungye family in 2012. Busingye, despite his moniker, is renowned for frequent conflicts and taking females from neighboring Gorilla groups. He is ambitious, domineering, and seizes any chance to demonstrate his dominance.
Kyaguriro Gorilla Family – (Ruhija)
The Kyaguriro organization consists of 15 individuals commanded by Rukina, who seized control from Zeus. Conservationists have set aside the gorilla troop for studies, and visitors have limited access. This group has yielded some intriguing results for researchers. Their findings reveal certain behavioral variations between Ugandan Gorilla families, Rwandan Gorilla families, and Congo Gorilla families.
Gorilla Families in Mgahinga National Park
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family – (Mgahinga)
Mgahinga National Park has only one habituated gorilla troop. The group is erratic and frequently migrates to Rwanda and Congo under the leadership of Mark, the dominant Silverback. In a group of ten, there are two additional silverbacks besides Mark. Viewing the family might be challenging due to their irregular movements. Although they are now residing in Uganda, you must contact the authorities via your tour operator to determine their specific whereabouts.
