Humba gorilla family group is one of the 8 amazing mountain gorilla groups in the Virunga National Park Congo. It is an interesting habituated gorilla family trekked easily starting within Bukima sector of Virunga. Humba group has a composition of 16 mountain gorilla members and it is remarkably, one of the most popular and calmest gorilla group worthy trekking while on gorilla safari in the Virunga National Park Congo.
Humba silverback was a brother to Senkwekwe silverback gorilla. Unfortunately, Senkwekwe was killed in 2007 but in 1998, Humba challenged his father-Rugendo leading to creation of Humba group with only 10 mountain gorillas at the time.
Trekking Humba gorilla family.
Humba is a calm gorilla group and spends most of its time around Bukima area of Virunga National Park, in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It accommodates about 8 people each day, translating into 8 gorilla permits that are always available for booking. Each of Humba group costs US $450 per person per day and you can easily secure one via a reliable ground tour operator or park authorities’ reservation team. Gorilla permits for trekking Humba gorilla group are available for booking for persons above 15 years.
Other than Humba gorilla families, there exist other habituated gorilla groups in Virunga National Park. These include Rugendo gorilla group who was challenged by Humba silverback in 1998 leading to formation of Humba gorilla family group. Rugendo group was left with 8 family members.
As of 2007, Rugendo group encountered yet another attack where 4 of the members were murdered and Rugendo silverback was succeeded by Senkwekwe silverback.
Kabirizi group also popular as Ndungutse, this gorilla family takes its name from Ndungutse silverback gorilla. Ndungutse featured as the calmest and massive silverback gorilla in the jungles of Virunga National Park. He was murdered in 1997 after catching crossfire that occurred between Congo army and rebels.
This family consists of 15 mountain gorilla family members. This is available nearby the Bunagana border between Uganda and DR Congo. The group is led by Mapuwa silverback and this is where Rugendo originated from.
Lulengo family; comprising of 6 group members, Lulengo gorilla family is such an interesting mountain gorilla group that you shouldn’t miss to interact with while on Congo holiday in Virunga National Park. It derives its name from Lulengo silverback gorilla in the Virunga.
Nyakamwe gorilla group, a newly opened gorilla family for gorilla trekking in the Virunga National Park Congo. It was once recorded as the only group with many members accounting for 11 mountain gorillas during the reign of Nyakamwe silverback gorilla.
Bageni gorilla family; currently the biggest gorilla group with 26 mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park Congo. Its name is derived from Bageni silverback gorilla. Lastly, there is Munyaga gorilla family which ranges around Bukima near Goma consisting of 7 gorillas.
When to visit Virunga National Park in D.R. Congo?
All tours to Virunga National Park can easily be arranged at anytime of the year for you to trek Humba gorilla group family. In every year, there are 2 useful seasons to mark on your travel calenda; the dry and wet seasons. Of the 2 seasons, the dry season is the best if you are to track Humba gorilla group family of Virunga National Park. This is from June, July, August, September, to early October or December to February.
Accommodation.
Places to book for your stay while on gorilla holiday safari in Virunga national Park include among others Bukima Tented Camp, Lulimbi Tented Camp, Tchegera Island Camp and Mikeno Lodge. These range from budget, moderate/mid-range and luxury.
