The great Bwindi, also a well recognized gorilla tracking hub, harbours over 450 gorilla individuals. There are close to 26 habituated gorilla groups. This makes this iconic spot the largest host, and a favourite gorilla spot to track and spend time with the gentle mountain gorillas. Mgahinga National Park is another enchanting gorilla trekking hub but only features one gorilla family, Nyakagezi. Each gorilla family carries its own habituation history and offers a unique and seamless gorilla experience.
Rushaga gorilla sector, Southern part of Bwindi.
Among all the four gorilla sectors, there are significantly more numbers of habituated families in Rushaga. This is more than any other tracking region. This brings not only standard gorilla trekking but gorilla habituation experience too.
Nshongi gorilla family
This family is not only the biggest habituated group in Bwindi, but also in the world. Introduced to tourism in 2009, there are over 37 gorilla members in Nshongi. Although they often separate, numbers have not gone beyond 25 members as of today. The gorilla group derives its name from the Nshongi River where it was initially first spotted.
Busingye gorilla family
The Busingye gorilla family’s history is truly fascinating. Its name locally means peace, even though its silverback tends to behave territorial. The Kahungye gorilla family and Busingye were initially one. They later separated around 2012, and there are 9 close to 11 gorilla members under this family.
Bweza gorilla family
There are over 12 close to 14 members under the Bweza family that was originally part of Nshongi group. It later separated around 2013. This gorilla family can be tracked to up to 6 to 8 hours as its members love to move from one spot to another.
Kutu gorilla family
Kutu family is famous for drawing in visitors interested in the unique gorilla habituation experience. With Kutu, visitors can spend over 4 hours with the gentle primates of mountain gorillas, bringing that unmatched gorilla experience.
Rwigi gorilla family
The Rwigi gorilla family brings close to 11 gorilla members. It is not as popular given that it’s one of the newly habituated groups.
Bikingi gorilla family
Bikingi gorilla family brings over 16 gorilla individuals that are popular for moving distances especially in steepy territories. Gorilla tracking this particular family can take visitors about 6 to 7 hours but the reward is worth the effort.
Mucunguzi gorilla family
The Mucunguzi gorilla family is among the less visited families, bringing just 6 individuals and still expanding its territories, yet offers a remarkable gorilla experience.
Mishaya gorilla family
The Mishaya gorilla family is dominated by the silverback Mishaya, who was initially part of Nshongi but later separated in 2010. The thrilling family delivers close to 12 members, and it’s silver backs are known for silverbacks are known for territorial fights.
Tindatine gorilla family
Tindatine gorilla family is a newly habituated gorilla family and offers a more wild and intimate gorilla experience. Both the happy gorilla family and Nshanjare are some of the new habituated gorilla families, along with Bikingi, and Kutu.
Buhoma gorilla sector, Northern part of Bwindi.
Buhoma sector stands out as the most top rated gorilla trekking sector, and brings serene lodge options, being one of the most visited and easily accessible gorilla spots.
Rushegura gorilla family
The Rushegura gorilla family is the King of the area, and brings close to 15 to 19 gorilla individuals, led by a dominant silverback known as Mwirima. This gorilla group was initially one with the captivating Habinyanja but later separated as a result of silverback disputes in 2002.
Habinyanja gorilla family
The Habinyanja gorilla family brings around 13 to 18 members and was originally family with Rushegura. It was introduced to gorilla trekking activities in 1999, an is one of the finest peaceful families to visit.
Mubare gorilla family
The Mubare gorilla family was initially introduced to tourism in 1993, priding itself as the first habituated gorilla family in Bwindi. There are close to 9 gorilla members under Mubare, led by the dominant silverback Kanyonyi. Its smooth access makes it one of the most top rated gorilla groups.
Katwe gorilla family
The Katwe gorilla family offers its visitors with over 11 gorilla members and is one of the recently opened habituated gorilla groups yet one of the most captivating. It was opened for gorillas. The dominant silver back Katwe takes the role of the family leader.
Muyambi gorilla family
The Muyambi gorilla family serves only 6 gorilla individuals, and is one of the less crowded family groups, offering an intimate and exclusive gorilla experience.
Ruhija gorilla sector
The Ruhija gorilla sector lies in the Eastern corner of the vast Bwindi, and offers one of the most deeply moving gorilla moments.
Oruzogo gorilla family
The Oruzogo gorilla family is one of the biggest gorilla groups in Ruhija, and consists of over 22 gorilla members, with Tibirikwata as the dominant silverback. This gorilla family was introduced for gorilla tracking activities in 2011.
Bitukura gorilla family
The Bitukura gorilla family derives its name from a local River, and was initially habituated in 2008, and is very popular for its playful juveniles. There are about 14 to 15 gorilla individuals under this family with about 4 silverbacks.
Mukiza gorilla family
The Mukiza gorilla family brings over 12 to 22 gorilla members, and was separated from the Kyaguriro group after the death of their leader. Mukiza now takes the leadership role as the dominant silver, offering fresh experiences on steeper Ruhija slopes.
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Kyaguriro gorilla family
The Kyaguriro gorilla family delivers around 10 to 15 gorilla members, and is one of the most sought after gorilla families, renowned for their calm reaction under human presence.
Nkuringo sector
One of the most sought after gorilla tracking regions in Bwindi is Nkuringo sector, situated in the south corner of the park. This sector is for visitors who seek a more adventurous tracking experience, and the family group has been habituated since 2004, meaning the gorillas are totally comfortable with the human presence. Gorilla treks in Nkuringo are one of the most exciting, delivering over 11 gorilla gorilla individuals.
Christmas gorilla family
One would wonder what sparks off the “Christmas” name, this gorilla group of about 9 gorilla individuals was initially habituated in 2011 right on christmas day.
Bushaho gorilla family.
This gorilla group brings about 10 to 12 gorilla members and is one of the new habituated gorilla families that was introduced for trekking activities in 2022. Bhati is the famous dominant silverback of the area.
Posho gorilla family
The Posho gorilla family is one of those easy to reach gorilla families and was habituated not long ago in 2023. Magara dominant silver is the giant leader of this family.
Nyakagezi gorilla family, Mgahinga National Park.
There is only one habituated gorilla family known to find a home in the compact Mgahinga, Nyakagezi gorilla family. Nyakagezi is one of the most thrilling and deeply moving gorilla families to trek. The gentle family often tends to stretch to and meander around Rwanda and Congo borders. There are over 11gorilla members under Nyakagezi open for visitors to trek, and these include a number of silver backs like Bugingo or Mark, several gorilla females and playful juveniles.
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