Gorilla Famillies of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla Families of Bwindi  Impenetrable National Park

Uganda currently hosts eleven habituated gorilla families and one group that is only available for research. These include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura,Bitukura, Oruzogo, Nkuringo, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye,Nyakagezi and the research group  of 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 of Bwindi National Park . 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.

Buhoma Area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

•     Mubare Group:  This Mubare group (also called the M-Group) – was the very first group to actually be habituated for tracking by tourists. the habituation started in 1991 and this group received its very  first tracking visitors in 1993 for uganda safaris .  Mubare group is actually named after the stunning Mubare Hills in which this group was discovered.

•      Habinyanja Group: This Habinyanja Group was in 1997 habituated for tracking and received tourists in the year 1999. In the start it was a huge group, however a family was split from it named the Rushegura Group.  These two groups crisscross each other now and again and co-exist peacefully.

•     Rushegura Group:  This Rushegura Group was in 2000 habituated for tracking and received tourists in the year 2002.  It is a huge group within the Buhoma area of Bwindi Forest.

As it is in human life , gorillas also have members who also have names and you can know each family by its member names. It may give  you  puzzle to someone to ask how do you easily identify from each other. Mountain Gorillas like humans also have distinct feature on their bodies which you can use to identify them. . At one time a white girl could not easily indentify a boy friend from other black group of friends. This may happen because you  are not fully used to the group but once you get used to a group you can easily indefy all them by their names. Below are some of the names of individuals in their respective families.

Habinyanja Family
Rugyendo, Makara, Rwansigazi, Maraya, Kisho, Nyabukye, Binyonko, Nyamuhango, Elsa, Hamusini, Hakato, Gacyaro and Bagenyi.

Kyaguriro Family
Rukina, Marembo, Kafuzi, Byiza, Binyindo, Siatu, Mugwere, Tindamanyere, Twigukye, Matu, Mukiza, Kabandize, Happy, Thursday and Ponoka.

Mubare Family
Kanyonyi, Malaika, Muyambi, Kashundwe and Kashundwe Baby. This the family of the late Ruhondeza and his son Kanyonyi has since taken over as the alpha male.

Nshongi Family
Tindatine, Ninsiima, Fortunate, Rutaro, Busasi, Nshongi, Mishaya, Kakono, Bweza, Matama, Bwire, Bunwa, Kutu, Tifayo, Bakunzi, Mwiza, Munini, Shidah, Bukozo, Nyampundu, Nkuhene, Mize, Mahoro, Mureba, Ruheruka, Muchunguzi, Kazani, Mukiza, Mpororo and Katono.
This is the family of the recently deceased Bwiruka.

Nkuringo Family
Kiiza, Muhozi, Katungi, Tabu, Safari, Kirungi, Rafiki, Bahati, X-Mas, Posho, Karibu, Samehe, Kwetonda, Kasotora, Mama Xmas, Ramutwe, Magara, Kwesima, Kuhirwa and Fulaha