Though many travelers to Uganda come for mountain gorilla trekking, the knowledge about these rare species is always limited. Most trekkers only know the allocated gorilla family but with little or no idea about the overall mountain gorillas in the country. The exact number of the mountain gorilla families in Uganda is not clear but 13 families have been so far habituated 12 of which reside in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and one in Mgahinga gorilla national park. There are approximately 480 mountain gorillas in Uganda half of the world’s population split in the four sections of Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga gorilla national park. The choice on which family to trek depends on the traveler’s interest but the experience is the same. The habituated gorilla families in Uganda are:

 

Mubare family

Located in Buhoma sector of Bwindi, Mubare was the first mountain gorilla group to be habituated in 1991. The family started with 12 members led by Ruhondeza the dominant silver back. It was after the Mubare hill where the family was first sited that the name was derived. The family at first expanded in size through the capturing of other members from other groups but later declined too due to civil conflicts and wars in the country. Presently, the family is highly treasure due its interesting histories.

 

Habinyanja family

Also located in Buhoma sector of the national park, the family was habituated in 1997 and opened to trekkers in 1999. The family was first sighted in the swamp hence deriving its name Habinyanja meaning water body. Muguriusi was the sole silver back in the family but after his death, there were fights concerning whom to lead until in 2002 when one of his sons Rwansigazi split to form an independent Rushegura family. Mwirima now heads the original group but the two families still co –exist peacefully with each other.

 

Rushegura family

This was split from the Habinyanja family in 2002 with Rwasingazi as the dominant silver back. The family started with 12 members but has presently increased to 19 members. The group is currently led by Kabukojo and is the nearest gorilla family to trek in Buhoma sector of the national park.

 

Oruzogo family

The family is led by Tibirikwata as a dominant silver back and was opened to trekkers in 2011. The family was blessed with a set of twins in 2012 increasing the number to 25 members.

 

Bitukura family

This is located in Ruhija sector of the national park and has 14 members including 4 silverbacks. The family was habituated in 2007 opened to travellers in 2008. The name Bitukura was derived from river Bitukura that flows in the forest at which the family was first sighted. Ndahura the second youngest silver back is the leader of the family, which makes it unique from other families. It is the calmest and peaceful family to trek in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.

 

Nkuringo family

This is composed of 19 members including 2 silverbacks. It is one family located in Nkuringo sector of the national park whose habituation was completed in 2004.

 

Mishaya family

This family broke away from Mishaya family becoming independent in 2010. It s located in Rushaga sector of the national park having 12 members including 1 silverback. Mishaya is the dominant silverback well known for fighting and attacking other gorilla families grabbing members.

 

Kahungye family

Located in Rushaga sector of the national park and was opened to the trekkers in 2011. Rumansi is the dominant silverback and the family has 13 individuals including 3 silverbacks.

 

Nshongi family

This is located in Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and was habituated in 2007 but opened for the traveler in 2009. The family has 26 members including four silver backs. River Nshogi was the first site the gorilla family was seen hence deriving the family name. The gorilla family had expanded to approximately 30 individuals but was later split into two hence reducing its size.

 

Bweza family

This was originally part of Nshongi family, which split in 2010 becoming independent under the leadership of Bweza. The family has a total of 9 members including 1 silverback. The family was opened for tourism in 2012.

 

Nyakagezi family

This is the only family in Mgahinga gorilla national park under the leadership of Mark as a dominant silver back. The family used to move crossing to the neighboring Rwanda and the Democratic republic of Congo but has presently stabilized in Mgahinga Uganda available for trekking. Currently, Nyakagezi family has 10 members including 1 silver back.

 

In conclusion therefore, the above are 13 habituated gorilla families in Uganda totaling to 480 mountain gorillas half of the worlds. The increased number of the mountain gorillas has made Uganda the leading gorilla tour destination that travelers wish to explore. The knowledge of the gorilla families and heir location is so important to travelers in choosing the right family to trek.