Welcome to the heart of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where the extraordinary happens daily. Here, the Habituated Gorilla Families in Bwindi offer an unparalleled opportunity to observe mountain gorillas in their natural environment, behaving as they might without human presence.

Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga Parks are home to over half the world’s mountain gorilla population. The 2018 census results, released by the Uganda Minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, show that the mountain gorilla population increased to over 1,063 from 880 in 2011, spanning across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A 2018 survey revealed at least 459 gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone, up from 400 in 2011, with over 80 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi’s population represents nearly half of all mountain gorillas worldwide, highlighting its critical role in the survival of these great apes.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into 50 gorilla families with 13 solitary individuals. However, only 21 families are habituated and accessible to visitors across four tracking regions: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with its single tracking region at Ntebeko, hosts the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family, a 10-member group. Formerly migratory, this family has settled in the park since 2012.

Gorilla habituation takes 2 years, allowing gorillas to become accustomed to human presence while continuing their natural behaviors.

According to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) conservation rules, only 8 visitors aged 15 and over are permitted to track each habituated gorilla group per day. This results in over 160 gorilla tracking permits available daily.

The terrain and timing of gorilla treks can vary widely as gorillas move to new locations daily. Booking preferred tracking regions can be done through reputable tour agencies listed on the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) website.

Here are some of the habituated mountain gorilla families available for tracking, along with their locations within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

Here are some of the habituated mountain gorilla families available for tracking, along with their locations within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park:

Mubare Gorilla Family

• Family Size: 9 members, including 1 silverback
• Location: Buhoma

The Mubare Gorilla Family is the oldest habituated gorilla group in Uganda. They were fully habituated in the Mubare hills deep within Bwindi Forest in 1998. Initially comprising 12 members under the leadership of the dominant silverback, Ruhondeza, the group expanded to 18 individuals before conflicts with wild gorilla groups led to a reduction in numbers. After Ruhondeza’s passing, the group dwindled to 5 members until March 2013, when it was revitalized by the arrival of new members, including a new dominant silverback, Kanyonyi. Now consisting of 11 members, the Mubare Family is a fascinating group to visit, ideally located near Queen Elizabeth Park, making their permits a priority for many tourists and operators.

Habinyanja Gorilla Family

• Family Size: 17 members, including 1 silverback
• Location: Buhoma

First visited by tourists in 1999, the Habinyanja Gorilla Family originally consisted of 25 members. The family’s name, derived from the local word “Nyanja,” meaning ‘body of water,’ references the swamp in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where they were first sighted. Power struggles among several strong males led to the family splitting, giving rise to the creation of the Rushegura family. Now comprised of 17 members including 1 silverback, 1 blackback, 5 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 3 juveniles, and 6 infants, the Habinyanja family is led by the astute alpha female, Makara. Tracking this family typically requires 3-8 hours, with visitors best accommodated in the Buhoma area.

• Family Size: 17 members: 1 silverback, 4 blackbacks, 4 adult females, 4 juveniles, 4 infants
• Location: Buhoma

Formed in 2002, the Rushegura Gorilla Family emerged when a silverback from the Habinyanja group decided to establish his own group. Starting with 12 members, including 5 females, the family was named after the abundant local tree species, “Ebishegura,” found in their home area. Known for its proximity to Buhoma village, the Rushegura family often wanders through the gardens of the Gorilla Forest Camp. While tracking this large group can sometimes be completed in less than 5 hours, there is no guarantee on the duration as the gorillas’ movements vary. The family is currently led by Kabukojo, the silverback.

Muyambi Gorilla Family

• Family Size: 7 members, led by Muyambi, the Silverback
• Location: Buhoma

The Muyambi Gorilla Family is the newest habituated group in the Buhoma region, officially launched in early 2019. Originating from the Mubare family, Muyambi, once an adult member, split from the group to establish his own family, now known as the Muyambi group. Comprising six members, this family showcases the daily life of gorillas engaging in activities such as feeding, communicating, resting, and moving both on the ground and in the trees. In May 2020, the family welcomed a new member, further enriching the dynamics of this group.

Habituated Gorilla in Ruhija Region of Bwindi – about 1½ from the Buhoma area of Bwindi

• Family Size: 17 members: 2 silverbacks, 2 blackbacks, 5 adult females, 2 sub-adults, 1 juvenile, and 5 infants. Bakwate leads the group.
• Location: Ruhija Area

Visitors began trekking to see the Oruzogo Gorilla Family in 2011 and quickly fell in love with this group. Known for its playful and energetic juveniles and toddlers, the Oruzogo gorillas feed primarily on the ‘Alchornea hitela’ plant, locally known as Oruzogo, which inspired their name. The trek requires medium endurance and offers an engaging experience with the family.

The Ruhija area, where this group resides, offers limited lodging options, particularly for budget travelers. Visitors can stay in Buhoma, but they must leave by 6:30 AM to reach Ruhija in time for pre-tracking orientation.

• Family Size: 10 members. Rukara, the Silverback, leads the group with 2 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants.
• Location: Ruhija Area of Bwindi

The Kyaguliro Gorilla group, initially reserved for research, began its habituation in 1995. The sudden death of Rukina, the long-standing family head, to a lightning strike in April 2015 marked a pivotal change. Rukina’s death led to the inexperienced young silverback, Mukiza, taking over until Rukara, an immigrating adult silverback from the Bitukura family, arrived and took control in May 2016, causing the family to split into Kyaguliro A under Rukara and Kyaguliro B under Mukiza. The family spends most of its time deep within the forest and rarely approaches the forest’s periphery.

• Family Size: 10 members, led by Mukiza, the Silverback, with 4 adult females, 1 sub-adult, and 4 infants.

The Mukiza family was once part of the Kyaguliro gorilla group under the leadership of Rukina, who passed away in 2015. After Rukina’s death, Mukiza, a young silverback, initially took over the leadership. However, he soon lost control, leading to a significant split in the group. Mukiza then left with a considerable number of individuals to form what is now known as the Mukiza family.

Origins and Habitat

Nkuringo, meaning “round hill” in Rukiga, refers to the hill where this family was first sighted. The Nkuringo family was the first gorilla group habituated in the southern area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, starting their habituation process in 1997.

Tragic Loss and Recovery

In June 2020, the family suffered a devastating loss when poachers killed Rafiki, the famed 25-year-old Silverback leader. This tragic event left the group’s future uncertain, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown with no tourists and local hardships escalating. However, within a month, the family regrouped under the new leadership of Rwamutwe, stabilizing their numbers to 11 members.

Community Interaction and Conservation

One key aspect of their habituation was their foraging into local community gardens, leading to conflicts over crops like bananas and sweet potatoes. This interaction prompted the resettlement of frontline human communities to minimize human-wildlife conflict and protect both parties. The establishment of a buffer zone has been crucial in fostering a peaceful coexistence.

Continued Leadership and Legacy

Following the death of the original leader, Silverback Nkuringo, in April 2004, leadership passed to Silverbacks Safari and Rafiki, with Safari taking over later that year. The family saw a hopeful addition with the birth of twins Katungi and Muhozi, although Katungi sadly died at 1½ years due to illness.

Challenges of Tracking

The Nkuringo group’s location makes it one of the most challenging treks in Uganda, demanding considerable energy and stamina from trackers. Despite the physical demands, those who visit find the experience profoundly exhilarating and memorable.

• Family Size: 8 members, led by Bahati, the Silverback, including 1 blackback, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant.
• Location: Nkuringo area

The Bushaho Gorilla Family emerged from the Nkuringo Family, a renowned group in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After some members, led by Silverback Bahati, gradually departed from the Nkuringo Family, a dedicated follow-up research was initiated in early 2012. This investigation revealed that Bahati had established a parallel group, drawing both former members of the Nkuringo Family and other non-habituated gorillas.

The formation of this new family led to ongoing monitoring efforts by conservationists to better understand and manage the dynamics of this emerging group. Consequently, the new group was officially recognized and named “Bushaho,” a name derived from the topographical feature where they predominantly forage.

The Bushaho Family was eventually habituated, allowing them to comfortably accommodate the presence of human observers. This process has not only contributed to the conservation efforts but also provided valuable insights into gorilla behavior and social structures. Today, the Bushaho Family offers visitors a unique opportunity to observe one of the newer and less-known gorilla families in the lush forests of Bwindi.

• Family Size: 14 members (August 2024) under the leadership of Bweza, a silverback.
• Location: Rushaga area of Bwindi National Park

Initially, the Nshongi family was the largest ever habituated, boasting about 32 members when officially introduced in September 2009. Named after the river where it was first discovered, this family was unusual for having four silverbacks coexisting without challenging each other for leadership. The family, once led by the silverback Nshongi, has undergone multiple splits. The first major split occurred in July 2010, leaving 26 members, and led to the creation of the Mishaya Gorilla Group. A further split in 2013 reduced the group to 18, forming what is now the Bweza Gorilla Group. Following the death of Mishaya in February 2014, some members joined the Bweza family, while others joined the Bikingi family. The Nshongi group continues to thrive in a large forested area, home to diverse wildlife, and welcomed a new member in August 2024.

• Family Size: 9 members, including the silverback leader as of June 2024.
• Location: Rushaga area

The Bikingi group began its habituation in early 2012, primarily to monitor and manage the dispersing members from the disintegrated Mishaya family. Several of Mishaya’s former members, along with other non-habituated gorillas, were incorporated into the Bikingi family, which was later declared open for habituation. The family has been closely monitored since, ensuring the well-being of both formerly habituated and new members. In February 2024, the family celebrated the birth of a new member from Adult Female Mucecuru and Silverback Kaharata.

• Family Size: 12 members, including 1 dominant Silverback.
• Location: Rushaga area of Bwindi National Park. In July 2010, Silverback Mishaya decided to leave the Nshongi Gorilla Group with some females to start his own family. Known as a typical fighter, he successfully gathered more females from other non-habituated groups, expanding his family to 12 gorillas, including three infants. Unfortunately, Mishaya passed away in 2014, leaving the group without another adult male and known for initiating conflicts with other gorilla families. By the end of 2015, the group’s size had reduced to 7 members, as gorilla families sometimes merge with others or gain new members through conflicts.

• Family Size: 16 members (August 2024), including 1 dominant Silverback – Kasigazi.
• Location: Rushaga area of Bwindi National Park. In July 2010, Silverback Mishaya decided to leave the Nshongi Gorilla Group with some females to start his own family. Known as a typical fighter, he successfully gathered more females from other non-habituated groups, expanding his family to 12 gorillas, including three infants. Unfortunately, Mishaya passed away in 2014, leaving the group without another adult male and known for initiating conflicts with other gorilla families. By the end of 2015, the group’s size had reduced to 7 members, as gorilla families sometimes merge with others or gain new members through conflicts. As of July 18 a new member arrived making the family 16 members.

Bweza Gorilla Family

Busingye Gorilla Family

Kutu Family Gorilla Family

Mucunguzi Gorilla Family

Discover the Rwigi Gorilla Family