Gorilla Families In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Mountain gorillas are one of the major tourism attractions in Uganda found in south western Uganda in Kisoro district on the edge of the western rift valley. Bwindi forest was in 1932then then it was made ape sanctuary in 1961, Bwindi Forest had several names including Bwindi and kayonza. This forest lies along the Uganda, Congo boarder in case you are interested in knowing the gorilla families in Uganda visit our four sectors in the park, and these include Rushanga, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Buhoma.
Some of the most famous gorilla families in Bwindi include:
The Mubare Family – it is located in Buhoma, it is one of the oldest habituated families1993, it started with 15members led by the silverback known as Ruhondeza due to diseases and fights most of them died and only 5members remained though now it has increased to 9.
The Rushegura Family – it has 17 members led by the silver back mwiruma which is known for being friendly and always seen near park lodges.
The Habinyanja Family – this is a group that was first visited in 1997, and this name comes from Nyanja which means a place with water and they were led by a silver back known as mugurisi but he died. And later the powers were given to makara who is a dominant silver back with 18 individuals.
Mishaya and bikyingi. This family they are found in Rushaga sector, though mishaya broke and like 6 members followed him. Bikyingi stayed and became the leader and now it has 21 individuals.
Nshongi, it was named after a river called Nshongi, it has other names like Bweza, Mucunguzi and originally, they were 36 individuals it was the largest family later it dropped to 26. Then Bweza broke away due to fights also Mucunguzi went away and it formed its own family with 8 gorillas.
Micunguzi family
It is located in Rushaga sector, the word mucunguzi means savior and it is a runyankore name even named to people, the mucunguzi family split from Bweza family because of the fight and this family today consists of 12 members.
Katwe gorilla family
This is one of the new groups in the Buhoma sector and it consists of 7 individuals led by a dominant silver back.
Kahungye family
It is located in Rushaga and it is a sign of 13individuals with 3 silver backs, it is among the recently habituated family of gorilla, and it was opened in 2011 for tourism but later it splinted to form the Busingye family.
Posho
This family has 9individuals including the silverback, which well known for chest thumping when the visitors approach and this gorilla family is located in Nkuringo sector
Nyakagezi family
This family it is located in Mgahinga gorilla national park, in Ntebeko it is a group of 10 individuals with one silver back. It is the only habituated family in Mgahinga so in case a visitor is in Mgahinga that is the only habituated group found their, offering a unique glimpse because it is the only habituated group others are still wild. the dominant silverback mark is well known for keeping his family with in the boarders of Uganda so that they do not cross to Rwanda or Congo. So, visitors on Uganda primate should as well visit Mgahinga for ape viewing and also trucking the golden monkeys which is only done in Mgahinga national park.
These are some of the activities that take place in Bwindi national park apart from gorilla trekking
Nature walks
The nature walks are done in the forest of Bwindi which gives visitors an opportunity to view the park well and learn more about the plant species, and many other things like the falls.
Birding
Bwindi national park is one of the best birding spots and it is a home of over 350 bird species and the main birding area is Nkuringo where you can spot variety of birds so if you are heading to Bwindi national park do not leave your binoculars behind
Batwa cultural experience
On Batwa cultural experience tour, you will be guided the local guides into their community where they stay. Visitors always get an opportunity to learn their way of life like gathering of fruits, hunting, and enjoy their story telling and traditional dances, making fire wood traditionally.
Where to stay when you are in Bwindi national park
Bwindi national park has a variety of accommodations where one Stay ranging from luxury to budget range and these include gorilla friends lodge, Bwindi view Bandas, engage lodge, silver back; lodge, Buhoma lodge, Ruhija gorilla safari lodge, and many more
Best time to go for gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation in Bwindi national park
Gorilla trekking or habituation it can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, September, December and February, during these periods there is less rainfall, and the vegetation is always short which enables tourist to have a clear view of the apes and other attractions in the park.
In conclusion all gorilla families are friendly in all the sectors and it is an adventurous activity to do while on Uganda primate safari as tourist get to learn the habits of the gorillas. For the best packages contact African vacation safaris. though you should know that these gorilla families keep changing and increasing in their families because of the new born babies.