List of Habituated Gorilla Families to Trek in Uganda

Uganda is home to half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas. You can trek these gorillas in two national parks in the southwestern part of the country: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Below is the current list of Uganda gorilla families:

• Christmas Gorilla Family: This family can be trekked in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi and is led by a silverback named Christmas. The group has 9 members, including 3 adult females, 3 blackbacks, 2 infants, and 1 silverback.
• Nkuringo Gorilla Family: Found in the Nkuringo sector, this family was first led by silverback Nkuringo before he passed away, after which silverback Safari took over. The family has 19 members and is one of the groups with twins.
• Bushaho Gorilla Family: Also in the Nkuringo sector, this family is led by Bahati, who left the Nkuringo family to form his own group. It has 8 members, some from the Nkuringo group and others that were previously unhabituated.
• Bikingi Gorilla Family: Habituated in 2012, this group was formed with members from the Mishaya family and unhabituated gorillas. It has 15 members and can be trekked in the Rushaga sector.
• Katwe Gorilla Family: This group can be trekked in the Buhoma sector and has 7 members led by silverback Katwe. It was habituated along with the Christmas family.
• Mubare Gorilla Family: Located in Buhoma, this is the oldest habituated group in Bwindi. It is named after the Mubare hills where it was first seen. Initially led by Ruhondeza, it is now led by Kanyonyi and has 11 members.
• Habinyanja Gorilla Family: Once the largest family in Bwindi with over 25 members, this group was led by silverback Mugirisi. It has since split into smaller groups and now has 17 members.
• Rushegura Gorilla Family: Formed when silverback Mwirima split from the Habinyanja family, taking 7 individuals with him. The split happened after the dominant silverback died, leaving two sons with different leadership styles.
• Kyaguriro Gorilla Family: Located in the Ruhija sector, this group was originally set aside for research. It later split into two: Kyaguriro A, led by Makara, and Kyaguriro B, led by Mukiza, with one group still used for research and the other open for tourism.
• Oruzogo Gorilla Family: This family has 17 members led by silverback Bakwate and can be trekked in the Ruhija sector. The name comes from “Oruzogoto,” a local plant found in their foraging area.
• Nshongi Gorilla Family: Originally with 32 members, this family later split to form the Mishaya and Bweza groups. After the death of the leading silverback, it now has 7 members and can be trekked in the Rushaga sector.
• Mishaya Gorilla Family: Formed when silverback Mishaya left the Nshongi family with 10 members to create his own group. Mishaya was known for fighting other groups to gain females, leading to many injuries and the death of an infant. He died in 2014, and the group is now led by Mwine.
• Kahungye Gorilla Family: Initially habituated with 29 members, this group later split, forming the Busingye family. It can be trekked in the Rushaga sector and is led by silverback Rumanzi.
• Bweza Gorilla Family: Formed when silverback Kakono left the Nshongi family with 12 members, this group can be trekked in the Rushaga sector.
• Busingye Gorilla Family: Formed when silverback Busingye left the Kahungye family, this group has 9 members, including 1 silverback, 4 infants, 1 juvenile, and 3 adult females. It can be trekked in the Rushaga sector.
• Nyakagezi Gorilla Family: The only habituated family in Mgahinga National Park, this group has 10 members led by silverback Mark and is known for its movements across borders.
• Bitukura Gorilla Family: This group, found in the Ruhija sector, has 13 members led by silverback Nduhura. It is known for allowing multiple males within the group, sometimes up to five.
• Rwigi Gorilla Family: Formed when silverback Rwigi left the Kahungye family, this group has 6 members, including 1 silverback, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 1 infant.

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