Top Gorilla Families to Track in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Top gorilla families to track – Visiting mountain gorillas in Uganda is one of the most rewarding tourist activities. It gives you a chance to see animals that are very close to humans in behavior.

Every year, hundreds of tourists come to Africa to see these gorillas, and the experience is unforgettable.

Since mountain gorillas live in high areas, trekking them means walking up steep slopes to find a gorilla family and watch them interact.

It is important to know that some gorilla families are easier to find than others, depending on where they live.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 20 gorilla families. Each one is different in size, behavior, and location. These families are found in four sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.

Some of the top gorilla families include:

Mubare Gorilla Family

Mubare was the first gorilla family to be habituated in 1991. It is found in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi. By 1993, it became the first group to be visited by tourists.

Today, it has 8 members because some have moved to other families. Mubare is one of the easiest groups to trek because the hikes are shorter.

Habinyanja Gorilla Family

This family was formed in 1997 and is also located in the Buhoma sector. It has 12 members, with some gorillas having joined other groups like Rushegura.

The group is known for having playful juveniles, which makes it a good choice for photography. Trekking this family takes about 2 to 4 hours.

Rushengura Gorilla Family

This group is also in Buhoma and has one of the largest numbers of gorillas, with about 19 members.

It was discovered in 2000 and has remained stable over time. Many tourists prefer this group because it is easier to find and gives a good chance of seeing many gorillas.

Oruzogo Gorilla Family

This family lives in the Ruhija sector and was formed in 2007. It has 17 members. The younger gorillas in the group are often seen playing and interacting.

Ruhija is also less crowded than Buhoma, which adds to the experience.

Kahungye Gorilla Family

This family is found in the Rushaga sector, which has many gorilla groups. Kahungye has 17 members and was formed in 2011.

One special thing about this group is that it has a pair of twins, which is rare among gorillas. Visitors can observe many social behaviors in this group.

Nkuringo Gorilla Family

This group has 12 members and was discovered in 1997. It lives in the Nkuringo sector. This family is one of the hardest to trek because it lives in high areas. However, once found, the experience is worth the effort.

Every tourist visiting Bwindi can find a gorilla family that suits their interests, whether you prefer an easy hike, want to see rare behaviors, or are looking for peaceful views in the forest.

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