HABITUATED GROUPS IN UGANDA

With nearly half the population of mountain gorillas that still thrive on earth today all confined in Uganda, a visit to this country for gorilla trekking rewards travel endeavors with life changing experiences. They are distributed with the two parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park that all straddle in southwestern side of this magical country. About 36 groups are found in Bwindi National Park alone most of them have been habituated and they are open for gorilla tourism with 2 more that have also been introduced for tourism and only one is available in Mgahinga National Park. In Bwindi National Park, treks are conducted with the 4 main trailheads of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga and each of these regions has its own habituated families. The following are the habituated gorilla families in Uganda

Mubare group

Mubare family is the oldest habituated group in Bwindi and first to be opened for tourism in Uganda. This group falls within Buhoma sector and it became fully habituated in 1998. Initially, it featured about 12 members under the leadership of Ruhondeza. After sometime, it grew up to 18 individuals however, due to continued fights, most of its members were taken and only 5 members were left. It was till 2013 that 4 more other members joined the group and today, this group is composed of 9 members.

Habinyanja

Habinyanja was first explored around 1999 and it derived its name from the local word ‘Nyanja’ denoting to body of water. This group is known for its drama and commotion which usually comes due to power struggle between the dominant silverbacks. Splitting among gorillas is a common trait where others join or leave the family. However, they do not fight against the former family members in case they meet.

Rushegura group

This group came together in 2002 at a time one of the silverbacks decided to split off. About 12 members were habituated at a time with 5 females and derived its name from ebishegura. If you are looking for a calm group to explore then Rushegura should be a must for you to trek while on gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Today, this family comprises of 19 members with 1 silverback.

Bitukura group

Bitukura family derived its name from a river where it was first founded. Habituation exercise for this group began in 2007 and never took long for it to get ready for trekking. It is found in Ruhija trailhead and composed of 14 individuals with 4 silverbacks. Unlike other groups, this family took about 1 year and some months and it was ready for visitors to track. Before, it comprised of 24 individuals but as a result of disputes within the group, others broke off and joined other groups. Bitukura welcomed its newborn in the early 2013 and for interested trekkers; you can spend a night at Ruhija or nearby lodge in Buhoma to ease your connectivity to the trailhead to kick start your adventure.

Oruzogo group

This gorilla group also falls under Ruhija sector and it opened for tourism of recent around 2011. It is headed by Tibirikwata and features among a few most famous groups due to its playful and energetic juveniles and toddlers. It is composed of 23 individuals with 1 silverback.

Nshongi gorilla group

For those of you who wish to track gorillas in Rushaga, Nshongi group is that one family you to consider a must to track and you won’t regret afterwards. This gorilla group is famous for its many members that make up about 36 individuals. It was opened in 2009 and derived its name from River Nshongi. There are currently 18 members the fact that others broke off and joined to other families.

Mishaya gorilla group

This is a splitter families and lies within Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It broke off from Nshongi group around July 2010 with Mishaya silverback being its leader. Mishaya is a typical fighter and managed to grab more females from other non-habituated families. Today, this group boasts of about 7 members.

Kahungye

This is one of the best groups to track within Rushaga trailhead of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It is composed of 13 individuals with 3 silverbacks. Its dominant silverback is known as Rumansi that is also followed by other 2 old male gorillas-Rwigi and Ruhamuka. This habituated family was opened for tourism in 2011 and not more than a year it broke off forming the new Busingye group. Prior splitting, it comprised of 27 members with 3 silverbacks.

Bweza group

Before splitting, this group ranked the largest in Bwindi National Park. When Mishaya decided to break off, he walked away with many gorillas that reduced the vast number in Bweza group. Today, about 7 of them thrive here with 1 silverback.

Busingye group

A splitter group from Kahungye in 2012. The word Busingye denotes peace and this is different from the ambitious silverback in this group given his legendary fights with other families. He is known for showing his power and each time he encounters a wild group, he mercilessly grabs the female. This group is composed of 9 members with 1 silverback.

Kyaguliro group

This group mainly set for research but can be tracked when the other groups are fully booked. This gorilla group is comprised of 15 members and lies within Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Nyakagezi group

If you are heading to Mgahinga National Park for gorilla trekking then Nyakagezi group is the best for you to realize your dreams. This group is led by Mark silverback. Before, this group was known for its behavior of crossing to DR Congo however, it has settled down and can be tracked within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Nkuringo gorilla group

Nkuringo is named after Nkuringo area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. It means the round hill referring to a hill where it was first spotted. It is composed of 19 members featuring about 2 silverbacks. It is perfect for those of you who may desire more challenging experiences. To trek through this group requires you to be physically well.

In addition to already habituated families, 2 more groups have also been opened for tourism in Bwindi National Park and they include Katwe and Christmas. If you are interested in new and authentic experiences then count these families a must to track and you won’t regret in life. Christmas group is led by Christmas silverback with about 9 members, 3 females and 1 baby. This group becomes the second habituated gorilla family in Nkuringo sector which are open for tourism. Katwe on the other hand is located in Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park.