Updated Gorilla families Permits list in Bwindi

Updated Gorilla families Permits list in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park that is located in the southwestern part of Uganda, and it is known as home to the famous mountain gorillas. It has four sectors where these famous creatures can be tracked: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga. All these sectors are open to tourists all year round as they get to see the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla families in Bwindi include Oruzogo, Habiyanja, and Nshongi, Bitukura, Nkuringo, Kutu, Kahungye, Mucunguzi, Bweza, Bikyingyi, Mukiza, Rushegura, Mishaya, Busingye, Kyaguriro, and Mubare, among others.

Updated gorilla family permit list in Bwindi Imepentrable Forest National Park

Oruzogo gorilla family

With over 25 members, the family being established in 2011 has increased in number and is always led by 2 silverbacks. Elders in this group include Ntumurungi, Musi, and Kankoba, among others. This gorilla family is located in the Ruhija sector.

Habiyanja gorilla family

This is known to be one of the first habituated families in Bwindi National Park in 1997, and two years later it was visited by tourists in 1999. Habiyanja comes from the local word Nyanja, literally meaning a place with water. It is found in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The group was led by Mugurusi the Silverback, and shortly after his death, two brothers, Rwansigazi and Mwirima, took over by sharing power.

Mucunguzi gorilla family

This is found in the Rushaga sector, and it split from the Bweza family after a serious fight with Mucunguzi, who at one time was the head of the family. Mucunguzi in the local language means saviour, and this group consists of 12 members.

Kyaguriro gorilla family

It should be noted that this group was habituated around 1995 and reserved for research purposes at the time. Rukina, who was the main leader of the group, was later challenged by Mukiza, who went ahead to form another group, later split to Kyaguriro A and Kyaguriro B.

Rushegura gorilla family

This is found in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, and it broke off from Habiyanja, all caused by Mwirima in 2002. This is known to be one of the calm families, consisting of about 20 members.

Bitukura gorilla family

It is located in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi National Park with 14 members, with an inclusion of 4 silverbacks. Originally it had 24 members that kept reducing and joining other different groups.

Bweza gorilla group

This group is located in the Rushaga sector and consists of 7 members, 2 infants, and a silverback. Originally, this group started with the Nshongi family and later split because of so many disagreements with other members. It is also considered the most interesting group to track while in the Rushaga sector.

Nshongi gorilla family

This family is found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. It opened in 2009 with a group of over 36 members, though with time the number of members changed due to deaths and births together with other members leaving the group to form other groups. The name Nshongyi was derived from ‘Omushongyi gwobwokyi’ that literally meant honey.

Mubare gorilla family

This family is considered one of the oldest to be habituated in 1993 and is composed of 18 members and was led by Ruhondeza till his death in 2012. He was later succeeded by Kanyonyi, who later started leading the group. Tourists are always advised to book gorilla permits in advance from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) with the help of their reliable tour operator.

Nkuringo gorilla family

This is the only gorilla-habituated family found in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Originally led by Nkuringo the Silverback, who died in 2008, it was later led by Safari and Rafiki. The group later welcomed twins Katungi and Muhoozi, birthed by Kwitonda.

Permits for either gorilla trekking or habituation are directly purchased from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters. This should be done early, as the tour operator has to first check availability and later choose a sector that is favourable.