Mountain Gorillas Families In Rwanda

Mountain Gorillas Families In Rwanda

In Rwanda, mountain gorillas live in Volcanoes National park at times called Parc National Des Volcanoes. It is situated at an altitude of 2,300-4,500 m. 10 mountain gorilla families have been habituated in Rwanda and are open for tourist viewing. Some others are left for research and study purposes like Shida gorilla family, Beetsme gorilla family and several others. Below are the details of these Rwanda gorilla trekking families open for gorilla trekking tours.

 Sabyinyo gorilla family

Sabyinyo locally means old man’s teeth are derived from Mountain Sabyinyo that exists close to this gorilla trekking family. This family is under the leadership of Guhonda the silverback. It has stayed together for along time under the leadership of this extraordinary silverback who has fought tirelessly to keep Ryango the disturbing silverback solitary. Although it has few members, it is one of the most exciting families to visit because of its acrobatic styles. It is made up of 8 mountain gorillas that is to say; 1 Silverback, 3 Adult females 1 Non adult female 2 Juveniles and 1 infant.

  Susa Gorilla family

This is the largest gorilla trekking family with about 28 gorillas after splitting from 42 gorillas. When Dian fossey the famous American Zoologist was carrying out her search, she based all her findings on this family. Although it is the furthest family because of its location in the mountains, it is very interesting to visit. The gorilla family boasts of its impressive pair of twins Byishimo and Impano with there mother Nyabitondore. It also has one of the ancestors of Dian Fossey’ work called Poppy who is aging. Normally, the rangers will record the place where the gorillas were last seen the previous night so that they can be located by the next day trackers.

Group 13 gorilla family

Group 13 was first habituated with 13 members under the leadership of Nyabitondore the silver back but later, Agasha took over his power and became the man in command. For this reason, this group was named ‘aka Agasha”. After his victory, Agasha relocated the entire family to the volcanoes so that Nyabitondore does not attack. From his conquest, he has worked hard to expand his family by grabbing members from other families and staging wars against others. So far, he has about 25 members that is to say1 Silverback, 12 Adult females, 2 Sub adult female, 3 Juvenile and 7 infants in his command.

Amahoro gorilla family

Amahoro gorilla family with 17 members is situated in the steep ends of Volcanoes National Park. Amahoro locally means peace and indeed this name is apt for this family. The family is under the leadership of Ubumwe who is a peace maker and avoids raging wars against other gorilla groups. The route to find these gorillas is slightly steep but worth the attempt. This gorilla family has 1 Silverback, 2 Blackbacks, 5 Adult females, 2 Sub adult males, 2 Juveniles and 5 infants.

.

Kwitonda Gorilla Family

Kwitonda gorilla tracking family which is made up of 18-member group is led by Kwitonda. He is a peaceful silverback just like what his local name means “humble one”. It is surprising that two silverbacks exist peacefully in one family after there migration from Virunga National park in D.R.Congo. It is a highly mobile group so some patience is needed to meet this family.

Karisimbi gorilla Family

Karimbi gorilla family is a break way group from Susa gorilla family. The family is made up of 15 mountain gorillas all roaming in Karisimbi Volcano. This mountain range stands at 4507 meters high and is the highest peak in Rwanda. It is the best group to visit for those interested in challenging there physical fitness. It is close to Karisimbi delta situated high on the mountain. Ecah day, the group‘s location is monitored by the Rwanda Ranger guides each day so that they can establish where it will spend the night so as to advise trackers for the next day.  .

 Umubano Gorilla Family

Umubano gorilla family which is under the leadership of Charles has 11 members. Umubano locally means neighbourliness.  It originated from Amahoro gorilla group after the envision of Charles splitting the group and forming a new family away from Ubumwe the reigning silverback in Amahoro gorilla family. Charles fought Ubumwe for a number of days until he became victorious. He has expanded his family through attacking other groups and grabbing there females.

 Hirwa Gorilla Family

Hirwa gorilla family is a break-away family from a number of gorilla groups. Hirwa locally means Lucky one and emerged from group 13 and Sabyinyo gorilla families. On the 17^th of June 2006, a group of gorilla trekkers witnessed the formation of this family and this was one of the exciting moments in the history of gorilla tracking. Even if it is a small group, it is highly feared by other gorilla families.

Ugenda gorilla Family

Ugenda gorilla family inhabits the Mountain Karisimbi area and is composed of 11 gorillas with 2 silverbacks. Locally, Ugenda means “being on the move” and indeed the group is always on the move.  Locating it during gorilla trekking safaris takes some time as you by pass various territories to get to it.

Bwenge gorilla Family

Bwenge gorilla family is commonly seen on the slopes of Mountain Karisoke. It was the same group that was featured in the famous movie “Gorillas in the Mist” It is composed of 11 gorillas under the leadership of Bwenge. Bwenge left his former family as a solitary male and was later joined by other females. The group has lost a number of members at an infant stage but lucky enough more births have been registered in the past few months.