Nshongi Gorilla Family is one of the habituated Gorilla Groups living in Rushaga sector, within the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The group was named after Nshongi River where it was first sighted.
Nshongi name was derived from the word “Omushongi Gwoboki” meaning “honey”, owing to the honey-like color of the River. This group was opened for trekking in 2009 after three years of habituation and was under the leadership of an interesting silverback named “Nshongi”. One thing that always stood-out about this group is its once large size of over 36 members but due to the constant wrangles and bickering among members, deaths and members joining other groups, the family remained with only 26 members. Morestil, Nshongi wasn’t the oldest silverback by the time he took over leadership of this amazing gorilla group.
One of the significant misunderstandings in the Nshongi Gorilla Family is Mishaya’s breakaway in 2010 from the group and taking some members with him. Just three years after Mishaya leaving, Bweza also broke away from the group in 2013, still taking along a number of members to form his own family. This left Nshongi group with only 18 members but today, there are less than 10 members in this fascinating family.
Visit this Gorilla Group and discover other dramatic scenarios such as the fact that another blackback (named Busasi) is deliberately trying to overthrow his father as well as one of the females (Bwanika) being unfaithful to the dominant silverback, to the point to being involved with another silverback yet she is considered Nshongi’s favorite female.
Trekking Nshongi Gorilla Family.
Typical treks for Nshongi or any gorilla group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park begin with assembling at the sector Headquarters for pre-tracking registration and briefing on the dos and don’ts of trekking and how to conduct oneself in the presence of the mountain gorillas.
Actual treks in the dense forest normally begin by 8am and involve moving on-foot in the company of armed UWA Ranger and tour guide for 30 minutes to 4 hours. The Mountain gorillas are found after several challenges such as scratches, falls, jumping rivers and hikes to higher elevations while encountering different birds, primates, other mammals, butterflies and tree species within the dense rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Booking for Nshongi Gorilla Permits.
Each day, only 8 permits are availed for Nshongi Gorilla family and they cost only $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and only Shs. 250,000 for the East African Community residents. Book for your gorilla trekking safari at least 3-4 months in advance to allow enough planning and avoid last minute disappointments.
Rushaga sector shelters the highest number of habituated gorilla groups and besides Nshongi, other groups include Bikingi, Bweza, Bitukura, Kahungye, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, Rwigi and Kutu.
Accommodation options to stay while trekking Rushaga Gorilla Group.
There are a number of top-rated places to stay while trekking Rushaga Gorilla Groups and these are Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Nshongi Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Lodge, Gorilla Heights Lodge, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Haven Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and many others.
