The Gentle Giants of Bwindi : Mountain Gorillas Apes of Bwindi

Gorillas, Chimpanzees, orangutans and humans all belong to the order of primates .Human share98.4%of their genetic material with gorillas and 98.8% with chimpanzees. Gorillas ,the largest of the great apes are divided into three sub species that include the western lowland gorillas and the Eastern low land gorillas. The Eastern and the Western low land gorillas were identified for science in 1847 and 1877 respectively. The subspecies- the mountain gorilla was identified for scientific purposes in the year 1903 and has gone on to be the Uganda's star attraction. Mountain gorillas are distinct from low land gorillas. They are larger ,have more hair ,a short truck,a broad chest and shoulders and also have a longer and slightly different noise shape. Mountain gorillas are born small, covered with black hair and usually weigh about 2.3 kilograms. Gorillas develop as twice as human babies with the mature female mother also under going a gestation period of nine months. They are unique species ,as a gorilla with an infant may not have another baby not until four years. Male and female gorillas between the ages of three and six years are classified as Juvenile. They increase in size and weight at similar rates for the first six years. On reaching six years most mountain gorillas weigh 68kg and usually four feet tall. The female mountain gorillas stop growing taller at around six years where as the males continue growing both in size and in weight till they reach the age of ten to eleven. Between the ages of six – ten the male ones have black hair and are referred to as the black backs. On reaching maturity which is usually between 10- 12 years, they develop silvery grey hair on their backs therefore referring to them as silver backs. The silver backs usually leave their parental group at the age of 11and then moves alone or in the company of the other males for a few years before managing to attract females from other groups to him hence forming his own family .Gorillas communicate through vocalizations. Twenty- five vocalization have been so far recognized with each one having its own particular meaning. As an element of their socialization ,they communicate through howls ,grunts ,barks and hoots .screams and roars signal alarm or warning and are often produced by silverbacks . They also communicate by beating on their chests or on the ground .This is done to show stature ,prevent fights or even scare opponents . However, even the infants beat their chests as a kind of displacement activity during play perhaps just to copy their elders. Mountain gorilla life is peace full and quite .It is from this that they have come to be Africa's gentle giants which has promoted gorilla safaris and tourism in general These gentle giants are found in the in the areas of Bwindi Impenetrable Ntional park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda while in Rwanda they are confined in Parc des volcans and in Virunga Republic of Congo.

Silver back is a dominant male in a group about 12 or more gorillas that usually include females ,juveniles and other infants. On a good day ,you find them chewing leaves ,laughing and farting not only continuously but with a lot of contentment .They are diumal and nomadic ,sleeping each night in fresh nest built from leaves and branches. Mountin gorillas are primarily vegetarian with their menu composing bamboo, nettles and gallium being some of their favourites. They occasionally eat safari ants which are scooped in huge handfuls to stuff into the mouth until the safari ant bites over power them. Gorillas spend most of their time in travelling and foraging in search for food since plants and trees change with seasons .

10 Days Uganda Holiday Safari Tour

Day 1: Kampala-Murchison Falls National Park

Morning after breakfast drive to Murchison falls. Stop for lunch at Masindi town. Lunch  will be at Masindi and proceed to Murchison falls. Visit the top of the falls an exciting point where millions of gallons of water squeeze in 6-7 meter gap with thunderous sound before falling down 40 meters forming placid river. Dinner and overnight at lodge of your choice. At Paraa Safari Lodge FB or other related budget option cost chosen

SAFARI COST: 2 People sharing

Luxury cost per person: US$ 6330

Upmarket cost per person: US$ 5270

Middle Cost per person  :  US $ 3485

Budget cost per person:US$ 2863

Day 2: Murchison Falls National Park

Wake up early take a game drive looking for wildlife. Murchison Falls is the largest national park in the country and harbors different flora and fauna. Your game drive in the morning with a local guide who will assist you to sight wild game in the northern bank of River Nile where concentrations of game are in common sight of elephants, giraffes, antelopes, lions leopards hyenas and many bird species are a common sight.

Afternoon go for a boat cruise on the famous River Nile up to the bottom of falls viewing variety of game that throng along banks of the river. Chances of sighting the shoe bill stork are many though not a guarantee and many more bird species continue up to the bottom of the falls where you will see animals like schools of hippos, crocodiles and many species of birds dinner and overnight. FB

Day 3: Murchison  – Fort Portal/Kibale .

After breaking your fast ,  proceed to   Fort Portal /Kibale with packed lunch. Drive in one of the remotest parts of this country enjoying different forest environment and other savannah woodland vegetation plus communities along the road stop where you find local market to mix briefly with local people. Arrival  will be a in the evening enjoy nice views of the mountains of the moon on clear days.

Continue to Kibale National Park where you will settle in at Primate Lodge luxury tent facilities. Dinner and overnight FB

Day 4: Kibale Forest National Park

After breakfast visit Kanyanchu the park headquarter offices for your chimpanzee tracking where you will see other primates like the colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys plus other primates that share this forest with chimpanzees. The park also hosts over 320 species of birds including the yellow spotted nectar, yellow rumped tinker birds etc. It also has colorful butterflies; over 250 species have been spotted. For nature lovers, the dense forest is still intact you can see trees of different species. Track chimps in their natural habitat. Kibale Forest National Park is believed to have most concentration of primates in the world. Over 12 different species of primates including chimps in this park have been recorded. Enjoy a lot plant life with tall tropical tree species.

After lunch drive along the foot of Mountain Rwenzori and on clear days enjoys its nice ice peaks that remain wonder on equator line. Stop for communities along the road stop where you find local market to mix briefly with local people. Dinner and overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge. FB

Day 5: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early Breakfast in the morning, there after carryout a game drive to catch-up with the early risers and predators returning to their hideouts. You are likely to meet grazing hippos, elephants, lions, spotted hyenas and leopards, bushbuck, waterbuck and stripped jackal, and of-course the several warthogs.

After lunch take boat cruise on Kazinga channel connecting Lake George and Lake Edward viewing different game lion, elephant, buffalo and many more plus plenty of birdlife. Dinner and overnight at Mweya safari Lodge. FB

Day 6: Queen Elizabeth – Ishasha – Bwindi

After breakfast you will drive Kyambura gorge to track chimpanzees. After picnic lunch, drive towards the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national park. – The Ishasha sector famous for climbing lions. And precede to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of Mountain Gorillas. It is estimated half of the world’s surviving population of mountain gorillas –300 live within Bwindi boundaries. Dinner and overnight at Buhoma Luxury Lodge FB

Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Early morning breakfast and head for gorilla trekking with guides together with other tourists trackers on this day. The trek is strenuous but enjoyable. This is the major tourist attraction in Bwindi. Carry packed lunch with you that will have at picnic site in the forest. The thrill of your encounter with these gentle giants will erase your difficulties of the potentially strenuous trek. Spend time in awe watching gorillas go about their activities. Each encounter is different and has it’s own rewards. You are likely to enjoy a close view of adults feeding, grooming and resting as the youngsters frolic from vines in a delightfully playful display. Return from tracking gorillas, have dinner and overnight At Buhoma Luxury lodge. FB

Day 8: Bwindi – Bunyonyi

After breakfast will be have a Batwa forest  walk  taking back many years when pygmy communities used to stay in this forest as as forest gatherers around, or do village walk  of Buhoma Community where you will see different local people as they do their day to day activities, visit the local/traditional healers, local brew distillation points, after the village walk will return back the lodge for lunch,  or to the community hospital or ca even donate to the community. After lunch will drive to Kabale and continue to Lake Bunyonyi, check in at you lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 9: Bunyonyi – Lake Mburo

Morning take a boat ride on Lake Bunyonyi a seeing plenty of bird life and visiting communities as they go their daily activities. Enjoy this Switzerland of Africa scenery. After lunch drive to Lake Mburo national park or Mbarara town. Lunch will be on the way transfer to Lake Mburo Diner and overnight at Mantana Safari Lodge.

Day 10: Lake Mburo – Kampala

After Breakfast take a game drive  or later do natural walk or take boat ride on Lake Mburo . After proceed to Masaka road to Kampala. Stopover on your way could be for Ankole grassland where long horned cattle are common sight. Continue northwards breaking at the Equator crossing. Continue to Kampala. END .

SAFARI COST: 2 People sharing

Luxury cost per person: US$ 6330

Upmarket cost per person: US$ 5270

Middle Cost per person  :  US $ 3485

Budget cost per person:US$ 2868

All cost options are based on full board all inclusive.

Please note the safari cost include:

• meals and accommodation as indicated in the itinerary
• full time safari driver/guides,
• park entry fees, all game drives, boat/ launch trips, forest guiding walks, all activities while on safari and all the applicable Government Taxes.
• 4×4 wheel drive vehicle with gas
• Airport transfers.
• 1 gorilla permit per person
• chimp permit per person – Kibale/Kyambura

Safaris to do while visiting Uganda

Uganda “The Pearl of Africa” now “Gifted by Nature” was once  described by Sir Winston Churchill at the start of the  last  century in 1908,.. “has  a unique description which cannot be close to the truth….situated in the fertile heart of Africa, astride the Equator boasts of wide diverse landscape, from  rugged snow capped mountains, the vast flatlands stretching to the horizon, Uganda  offers visitors a wealth of breathtaking scenery” in his book “My Journey  to Africa”.

Uganda gorilla Safaris and tracking form the pinnacle of the tourism  Industry in Uganda and East Africa – Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

In terms of size, safari in Uganda  is the richest country for birds in Africa and forms best  birding safaris in Africa. No other area in Africa can match its amazing diversity of habitats and this  richness is reflected in its ever-burgeoning bird list of over 1000 species. Among est  these are many special endangered birds such as shoe bill stork, standard winged  Night jar, the great blue Turaco, the Green broad bill and numerous endemics of  the Albertine Rift Valley that are rare to find elsewhere. Uganda birding safaris and tours offer  a lot and in single day can list more than 300 bird species.

 

Uganda has a unique description which cannot be close to the  truth…situated in the fertile heart of Africa, astride the Equator boasts of wide diverse  of landscape, from rugged snow capped mountains, the vast flat lands  stretching to the horizon, Uganda offers visitors a wealth of breathtaking scenery ,  with range of broad savannah, rain forests to arid – semi desert , plenty of  wetlands and abundant fresh rain forests. It is within such charming climate that  has natured and protected the mountain gorillas that still survive on earth. 

It is estimated that not more than 1000 still survive on earth and that  those still surviving live in the environs of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest  National Park in south western part of  Uganda. And Uganda has more than half of the gorilla population.

Every visitor coming to Uganda would wish to get into contact with  these gentle giants moreover our  cousins. Uganda should treat gorilla  tracking as the pinnacle of the tourism industry in the country if they are to continue attracting more numbers of tourist visiting the country and increase  passes to  isit these gentle giants. Below is my gorilla experience.

  

The spectacular scenery of undulating hills, the legendary mountains of the  moon- Rwenzoris that provide challenging climbing expeditions and the Nile  offering challenging white water rafting. The warmth of Equator and the  cool  breezes of Natural forests and mist mountains generate a tender climate throughout  the year not to be enjoyed anywhere else in Africa.

Our tours are fresh and focused. They offer fun, adventure curiosity in

 Our outstanding national parks in the country. Our protected areas offer  outstanding beauty with a variety of fauna and flora. The geographical position  Uganda in the   shadows of Great Western and Eastern Rift Valleys give the country   special climate zones of  temperate, hot and wet, cool and dry, rainy climates.

 Throughout the year and adversely supporting a variety of vegetation covering  range of short savannah grassland, tall savannah grassland tropical rainy forests  to  high altitude moorland vegetation.   It has been quite unbelievable to find  ice caped tips on the mountains of the moon at the same time lying along the  Equator.

Uganda’s tourism wealth  can be discovered in the following national  parks:

•           Queen Elizabeth

•           Murchison Falls

•           BwindiImpenetrable Forest

•           Mhgahinga,

•           Semuliki, Kidepo .

•           Lake Mburo National parks.

•           Fresh water Lakes, and Rivers and Islands – Ssese Islands

•           Other than parks there are natural forests- Budongo,Maramagambo,etc

Uganda’s cultural history has made it one of the most visited by  tourists. Culture here is rich and dynamic dating  from from 15th century when  the interlucustrine kingdoms were formed. People here are very hospitable  and  receptive to foreigners.  Cultural sites such as Kasubi Tombs , Uganda  Museum and  Namugongo martyrs shrines have attracted both local and international  tourists.

Ugandans and Namugongo Martyrs

Its time again 3^rd of June  when many people from all walks of like throng to Namugongo to pray for the Uganda martyrs. 

Many people have walked the entire distance from  Gulu district about 300km on foot . Gulu  people are the chosen celebrant of year 2019. However its not only Gulu people but people from al parts of Uganda as far as Zombo, a district near DR Congo, to Kampala to honor the memory of 22 Catholic saints and the 23 Anglican martyrs who lost their lives because of their faith between 1885 and 1887.

Many people have been walking to this area place for last 3 – 4 year consecutively showing how determined they are with their faith. James said “I last walked in 2016,” he has told  us , adding that “I walk because I want to identify myself with the martyrs who were killed at Namugongo”.

“I also want to pray to God to help me in some of my problems. Last time I got what I prayed for at Namugongo”.

James Ato  is among thousands of pilgrims – some older, most younger – who are trekking from within Uganda and beyond for the annual Uganda Martyrs Day observance, set for June 3.

The Uganda Episcopal Conference, the umbrella assembly of catholic bishops in Uganda noted that apart from Ugandans, pilgrims are expected from the United States, Nigeria, Mexico, Malawi, Italy, Zambia, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Ireland and United Kingdom.

The construction of the Uganda Martyrs’ Shrine began in 1967. It was completed and formally opened by the special Papal envoy, His Eminence Sergio Cardinal Pignedoli on 3rd June 1975. Thanks to the late former Archbishop Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga the author of the project, Dr. Danhinden the Architect and the ROKO Construction for the wonderful work done. When Pope John Paul II made a Pilgrimage to Namugongo on February 7, 1993, during his six -day visit to Uganda (5th -10th February 1993), he elevated the Shrine to a rank of a minor Basilica.

History

There are 24 Catholic Uganda Martyrs. The 22 martyrs were killed between 1885 and 1887 by Kabaka (King) Mwanga of Buganda in the South of Uganda; 13 of the martyrs were burnt to death at Namugongo. The twenty-two martyrs were beatified by Pope Benedict XV on 6th June 1920 and canonized by Pope Paul VI on 18th October 1964. The other 2 martyrs were speared to death in Paimol, Gulu in the North of Uganda in October 1918. They were beatified by Pope John Paul II on 20th October 2002.

There are also Anglican martyrs that were killed by King Mwanga between 1885 and 1887 together with the Catholic martyrs. While paying tribute to the 22 Catholic martyrs  Pope Paul IV also paid tribute to the Anglican martyrs in his homily at the canonisation. “And we do not wish to forget”, he said ,”the others who, belonging to the Anglican confession, met death for the name of Christ.”

All these martyrs are honoured on 3rd June every year and that is the best time to visit Uganda for safaris and enjoy , pray for yourself for blessings. Uganda is therefore blessed with many other religion sites mainly in Buganda and Busoga

Uganda’s cultural history has made it one of the most visited by

 tourists. Culture here is rich and dynamic dating  from from 15th century when  the interlucustrine kingdoms were formed. People here are very hospitable  and  receptive to foreigners.  Cultural sites such as Kasubi Tombs , Uganda  Museum and  Namugongo martyrs shrines have attracted both local and international  tourists

Habituated gorilla families in Uganda:

Habituated gorilla families in Uganda: 15  Mountain Gorilla Families have been Habituated

Bwindi ha more than half of Mountain gorillas in the world. With approximately  over 400 mountain gorillas living in the Bwindi  impenetrable forest, Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s total population of mountain gorillas. The majority is found in different areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular tourism destinations in Africa. A small number lives on the lower slopes of the volcanoes in Mgahinga National Park  - Nyakagezi. Uganda now have 15 gorilla habituated gorilla permit families .

These gorilla  families wonder all parts of Bwindi Impenetrable  forest at  the various locations for gorilla trekking. They form gorilla safaris industry in Uganda .

Uganda currently hosts 15 habituated gorilla families and 2  groups that is only available for research. These include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura,Bitukura, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye,Nyakagezi and the research group Kyaguriro.

Before embarking on your Gorilla Safari we invite you to learn more about these incredible creatures and read interesting facts about the various gorilla families. However, keep in mind that the mountain gorillas are wild animals and details such as the group size, location in the forest and leading silverback might change without notice.

Mubare Gorilla Family
Location: Buhoma
Group size:  Over 10 individuals including 1 silverback

This is the first gorilla family to be Habituated . Mubare gorilla group is the oldest habituated gorilla family in Uganda and was opened for tourism in 1993. The name derives from the Mubare Hill, deep in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where the gorillas were first sighted by trackers. Initially, the group consisted of 18 individuals, led by the dominant Silverback Ruhondeza. Unfortunately, over the years the family lost many members until there were only 5 left in 2012. This was due to moving to other groups, life losses during fights and the death of a baby gorilla.

In March 2012, the family was attacked by a wild gorilla group who broke Ruhondeza’s leadership and took away some of the females. Old Ruhondeza took refuge in a nearby community forest but continued to be monitored by researchers, until he died in his sleep on 27 June 2012. He was believed to have been well over 50 years of age. When visiting Buhoma feel free to ask your guide for the location of this great silverback’s grave!

In the meantime, Ruhondeza successor Kanyonyi managed to expand the family again and increased it to eight members including a baby named Kashundwe.

Habinyanja Gorilla Family
Location: Buhoma (ranging from Kahororo to Rubona)
Group size: 17 individuals including 2 silverbacks

The Habinyanja gorilla family was habituated in 1997 and first visited by tourists in 1999. The name “Habinyanja” comes from the Rukiga word “Nyanja” meaning “a place with water”. The reason for this name is because the group was first seen near a swamp in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

At the time of habituation the group was lead by the dominant Silverback Mugurisi, which means “Old man”. After passing away because of old age, the two brothers Rwansigazi and Mwirima shared power but they were so different that it couldn’t continue. Rwansigazi was an adventurous gorilla and liked travelling, while Mwirima preferred to stay at a small range. It was therefore inevitable that in 2002 the two silverbacks decided to separate, without any fights. The group that followed Rwansigazi maintained the name Habinyanja and the members who stayed with Mwirima came to be known as the Rushegura family. Later, Rwansigazi had to give up leadership to Makara who is now the dominant silverback of the Habinyanja family. Sometimes, both groups still come across each other but co-exist rather peacefully.

Sadly, a tragedy happened in June 2011 when the friendly blackback Mizano was found dead with evidence of spear wounds about the shoulders and neck. It is believed that a group of poacher with their dogs ran into the group. Mizano, who naturally defended his family, was speared and died instantly. It was the first poaching incident whereby a gorilla has been killed by poachers since 1995.

Rushegura Gorilla Family
Location: Buhoma
Group size: 19 individuals including 1 silverback

Rushegura is the name of a place where the separation of this group from the larger family of Habinyanja took place in February 2002. The breakaway was led by Mwirima who took with him seven members/started with 12 individuals including 5 femails. His devotatoin to create a stable family wierp vruchten af as the number of individuals increased to 19 by April 2010.

At an estimated 25 years of age, Mwirima is without question the most dominant silverback in his group and does not back away from showing his strength during fights with wild gorilla groups. They used to cross to neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo but came back and now enjoy the peacefully environments of Bwindi National Park. The group is known to be one of the calmest families and usually stay in the vicinity of Buhoma Village for valuing Uganda safaris. Do not be surprised to even see them wandering around the lodge gardens or visit the souvenir shop of Gorilla Forest Camp as they are very curious as well. Especially the youngsters do not shy away from visitors and often like to ‘get a better look’.

View video of the Rushegura group touching one of the guests at Gorilla Forest Camp!

Bitukura Gorilla Family
Location: Ruhija
Group size: 14 individuals including 4 silverbacks

The Bitukura family is located in the Ruhija side of BwindiForest National Park. This mountain gorilla family was named after a river that bears the same name, where it was first sighted. Habituation started in July 2007 and the group was opened for tourism in October 2008. Taking only 15 months is remarkable, since the habituation process normally lasts at least 2 years. But thanks to the close bond that they share with the Kyaguriro family, with whom they have regularly have ‘get-togethers’, they had frequent encounters with the UWA rangers and thus made the habituation easier.

The Bitukura group with originally 24 members has been reduced to only 14 individuals during the last years. It is a peaceable family with four silverbacks, where the second youngest silverback Ndahura is the leader. He took the role from former Silverback Karamuzi who stayed over 40 years and is now retired.

Despite of the loss of several members, who defected to other gorilla families, Bitukura now looks happily and closer to one another. Especially since a new member joined the family in April 2013. Adult female Ruhara gave birth to a baby gorilla, who is closely guarded by the proud father Ndahura.

Oruzogo Gorilla Family
Location: Ruhija
Group size: 25 individuals including 2 silverbacks

The Oruzogo group is the second habituated gorilla family living in the Ruhija area. The group consists of 23 individuals and is led by Silverback Tibirikwata. The family opened for tourism mid 2011 and since then has experienced a growth thanks to a number of births. Female adult Ntamurungi gave birth to a baby gorilla in June 2011 and Musi gave birth in October 2011. More joy came when a set of twins was born in March 2012. The twin mother is Kakoba. Other individuals in the group include Busungu (meaning “short tempered”), Kaganga (“the giant one”) and Bwoba (“the coward”).

Nkuringo Gorilla Family
Location: Nkuringo
Group size: 19 individuals including 2 silverbacks

The habituation process of the Nkuringo gorilla group was completed in 2004. Nkuringo means “round hill” in Rukiga, referring to the hill where the group was first spotted. They were often found in the vicinity of the villages outside park, which eventually became the main reason for the habituation. Because of their behavior to feed on bananas, sweet potatoes and other crops, they created a problem for the local communities. It was then decided to open the group for tourists, so the villagers would directly benefit from tourism and the gorillas would be protected at the same time.

Initially, the group was led by the elderly Silverback Nkuringo. He died in April 2008, leaving behind two silverbacks, Safari and Rafiki. It was his son Safari who took over the leadership. Seven months later, the Nkuringo family welcomed a set of twin gorillas from mother Kwitonda, named Katungi and Muhozi. Unfortunately, Katungi died at the age of 1.5 years due to illness.

Nshongi Gorilla Family
Location: Rushaga
Group size: 26 individuals including 4 silverbacks

The Nshongi gorilla group was named after the river close where the family was first seen. The word Nshongi derives from “Omushongi Gwoboki, meaning ‘honey’ and referred to the deep color of the river. Being opened for tourism in September 2009, the family was unique due to its large size. With 36 individuals it was the largest gorilla group ever habituated. Even more remarkable was that the three silverbacks and seven blackbacks lived in harmony with each other and did not make an attempt for leadership. Especially since the dominant silverback Nshongi was not even the oldest silverback in the family. However, in July 2010, the group split into two: the Nshongi group with 26 individuals, including 4 silverbacks and a newly formed family led by the silverback Mishaya with 10 members.

Mishaya Gorilla Family
Location: Rushaga
Group size: 12 individuals including 1 silverback

Silverback Mishaya was part of the Nshongi group but decided in July 2010 to establish its own family. Being known as a fighter who often starts interactions with other gorilla families, he was able to gather females from other groups in the area and could expand his group. In April 2011 he clashed again with a non-habituated gorilla family, resulting in serious injuries for himself and a 2-year old infant. The wounds were treated by veterinarians from the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.

Kahungye Gorilla Family
Location: Rushaga
Group size: 13 individuals including 3 silverbacks

The Kahungye group is one of the most recent habituated gorilla families in Bwindi National Park. The family was opened for tourism in October 2011 but in less than a year the group split, creating a new family that is called Busingye. Before the separation, the family consisted of 27 individuals including 3 silverbacks. The group is active and led by the dominant silverback Gwigi, which means “door” in the local language.

Bweza Gorilla Family
Location: Rushaga
Group size: 9 individuals including 1 silverback

Originally, the Nshongi family was the largest gorilla group ever habituated. However, in July 2010 Silverback Mishaya decided to start his own family. Two years later also Bweza, another silverback preferred to separate himself from the rest of the group. Initially, the UWA rangers suspected that they would get back together again, but when it appeared that the split was infinitive, this ‘new’ group opened for tourism in December 2012.

Busingye Gorilla Family
Location: Rushaga
Group size: 9 individuals including 1 silverback

In the same period, in the same sector, but another gorilla family experienced a breakaway as well. It was Silverback Busingye who decided to split from the Kahungye group in June 2012 and create his own family. Busingye means ‘peace’ which is quite surprising since this ambitious silverback is known for his legendary fights with other gorilla groups. He likes showing his power and whenever encountering a wild family he mercilessly grabs a female to add to his own family.

Nyakagezi Gorilla Family
Location: Mgahinga National Park
Group size: 10 individuals including 3 silverbacks

Mgahinga National Park only hosts one gorilla family known as the Nyakagezi Group. The group is led by Mark, the dominant silverback, who likes travelling and keeps on crossing borders between Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Lately it seems they are trying to regain their Ugandan citizenship again as they have been back in Mgahinga National Park since November 2012 and may are likely to stay for a while. Even more good news came in May 2013 when a new baby was born, increasing the group to 10 members.

Due to quite unpredictable behavior, permits for this group can only be booked at the park headquarters of Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Kyaguriro Gorilla Family
Location: Ruhija
Group size: 15 individuals including 2 silverbacks

Although the Kyaguriro family is habituated, it has not been visited by tourists until now but is put aside for research only. By closely keeping contact with this group, conservationists have been able to learn a lot about the mountain gorillas of Bwindi, including some remarkable differences with the mountain gorillas that live in the Virunga Volcanoes. Initially the family was led by an aging silverback Zeus. Unfortunately he died in exile after being usurped and banished into the forest by his rival Rukina.