Uganda; one of the top safari destinations in the world is located in the east of the continent of Africa, offering asylum to half of the total Mountain Gorilla species in the world. The other half is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Rwanda. The endangered mountain gorillas can only be found in the continent of Africa, as they adapt and survive in the high altitude places.

The giant apes are social creatures, though shy and playful. The researchers reveal they share approximately 95% human-like genes. There are a total population of about 1060 individual mountain gorillas in the world. These live in families known as troops, led by a giant silverback, with the supreme authority of defending all members; finding new territories and caring for the infants in case the mothers disappear or die.

As it stands, Uganda has over 40 gorilla families, some open for trekking, others still in the wild whereas a few still under habituation process. These are found in;

GORILLA FAMILIES IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.

This is a premier gorilla trekking destination in the country. Bwindi is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, at the foothills of giant Virunga ranges. The park harbors the highest concentration of the total Mountain gorilla species in the Virunga chain of mountains; about 600 individuals, living in families within the different four sectors, namely; Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga sector. There are currently 19 families open for tracking in Bwindi impenetrable forest.

BUHOMA SECTOR.

Mubare group.

This is the oldest habituated family in the park, with 9 members and only one silverback. The group is found in the Buhoma sector and it was habituated in 1998.

Habinyanja Gorilla family.

This troop was habituated in 1999 with about 25 members in the Buhoma sector. As years went on, poaching, and division reduced the number to about 17 members including one dominant silverback. The name was derived from the local word “Nyanja” which stands for “water body” derived from the name of the swamp where it was first spotted.

Rushegura group.

This family is comprised of about 17 members, 4 black backs, 1 silverback and four adult females among others. It is led by silverback called Kabukojo in the Buhoma sector. It was opened for trekking in 2002.

Katwe Gorilla family.

Found in the Buhoma sector, the Katwe group is made up of 7 individuals, habituated and open for trekking in August 2018.

RUHIJA SECTOR.

Bitukura Gorilla family.

Found in the Ruhija region; Bitukura family is one of the loveliest groups in this park. It is comprised of 13 members, 2 juveniles, 4 silverbacks, 3 infants and 4 silverbacks, led by Ndahura. It is habituated and open for visitors since 2007.

Oruzogo Gorilla family.

This group is composed of about 17 members, of which 2 are silverbacks, 1 juvenile, 5 infants, 2 black backs, and 5 adults among others. The lead silverback of this group is called Bakwate.

Kyaguliro Gorilla family.

Feeding and roaming around the Ruhija sector, Kyaguliro gorilla family is led by Rukara silverback.  There are 10 individuals, 3 adults, 2 juveniles, 1 silverback, and 2 infants to mention but a few. The group was habituated and open for visitors from 1995.

Mukiza Group.

Though its very founder silverback, Rukina died in 2015, the group is still very exciting and vibrant. They are found within Ruhija sector, led by Mukiza and made-up of 10 members, 4 adult females, 1 young star and 4 infants among others.

NKURINGO SECTOR.   

Three groups can be tracked in this sector. It is the highest and most rugged region in Bwindi national park, requiring physical fitness.

Nkuringo group.

It is the very first group to be habituated in this sector, thus named after the region. It has about 12 members, 2 black backs, 2 females, 3 juveniles and many more. The leader is Rwamutwe – a black back. The pioneer silverback, Rafiki was suddenly killed by poachers on 1^st June 2020. The group habituation process was completed in 1997.

Bushaho group.

Headed by silverback Bahati, this family is made up of 8 members; 3 adult females, 1 black back, 2 infants, and 1 black back. It was opened for trekking from 2012.

The newly habituated family in Nkuringo region is Christmas which is led by dominant silverback – Christmas.

RUSHAGA SECTOR.

Nshongi gorilla family.

This was established in 2009, with about 32 members. Currently, the group is led by silverback Bweza and has about 2 juveniles, 1 silverback, 3 adult females and some 2 black backs. It was named after the dominant River Nshongi.

Bikingi Gorilla family.

This family was established in 2012 and has about 15 members, including 5 adults, 2 infants and 1 silverback.

Mishaya Gorilla family.

This group is comprised of 12 members and only one silverback. It was established in 2010, under the leadership of Mishaya silverback, who was known for fighting, but then died in 2014.

Other families in the sector include; Kahungye family, with 17 members and opened for tracking in 2011; Bweza family with 12 members and split in 2012; Busingye family with 9 members and habituated in 2012, Kutu family with 8 individuals; Mucunguzi family with 8 members and the newly habituated Rwigi Gorilla family with 10 members.

GORILLA FAMILIES IN MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK.

This park has only one gorilla family open for trekking;

Nyakagezi group.

Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only group habituated family and open for trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. It has 9 individuals and only one silverback. A few years back the group used to move to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a habit that later stopped in November 2012.

A gorilla group to be tracked and visited can only be known on the very tracking day after briefing. A trekking permit in Uganda costs 700 USD for foreign Non-residents, 600 USD for foreign residents and 250,000 UGX for Ugandans and East African citizens.