Rwanda is one of the three countries that shelter the endangered mountain gorillas in the whole world. Gorillas in Rwanda live in the jungles of Volcanoes National Park located in Northwestern Rwanda. The park has 10 gorilla families habituated for trekking every day, with an estimated gorilla population of over 400 individuals, making it a home to the highest number of gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. In this article lets explore the Complete List of Rwanda Gorilla Families & Groups.
The other countries where gorillas live are Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks) and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Virunga National Park. Each gorilla family in Uganda is visited by a group of eight people.
This guarantees availability of 80 gorilla permits each day. Interestingly, each gorilla family is unique in its own kind worth visiting. An interaction with any one-gorilla family is a lifetime experience you will live to cherish. The habituated gorilla families in Rwanda are;
Rwanda Gorilla families
Susa Gorilla Family (Susa A)
Named after Susa River where the gorilla family was forest seen, Susa A family is one of the oldest gorilla families in Volcanoes National park. It was on this gorilla family that Dian Fossey conducted her research about gorilla lifestyles in the jungle during her campaign to promote mountain gorilla conservation in Volcanoes National Park and the entire Virunga Massif. In 2008, Susa A group split into two forming the Karisimbi family also known as Susa B.
The twin gorillas namely Byishimo and Impano make Susa Gorilla family famous and a favorite for most travelers trekking gorillas in Rwanda. Apparently, Susa A family has 33 members which compromise of silver backs, adult females, juveniles and infants.
Also known as Susa B, Karisimbi gorilla family split from Susa A in 2008 becoming independent. The gorilla family derives its name from Mt. Karisimbi on whose slopes these gorillas live. Karisimbi gorilla family is one of the hardest to trek gorilla families in Volcanoes National park due to its location in high altitudinal areas.
Travelers hiking Mt Karisimbi have high chances of meeting this gorilla family, which is an added advantage to them. Apparently, Karisimbi gorilla family has 16 family members inclusive of a silverback, adult females, juveniles and infants.
Sabyinyo Family
Sabyinyo gorilla family is led by Guhonda silverback, which is so far the largest gorilla in Volcanoes National Park weighing over 220 kilograms. Sabyinyo is locally translated as the “Old man’s teeth” named after the tooth shaped volcano around which the gorilla family lives. Sabyinyo is one of the interesting and easy to trek gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park.
Hirwa gorilla family
Hirwa gorilla group was formed by a few gorillas, which had split from Group 13, and Sabyinyo gorilla family who came together to form an independent family. Hirwa is locally translated as “Lucky One” attributed to many gorillas that joined the family from other gorilla groups without ant fight involved.
In 2018, Hirwa gorilla family crossed to Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National park where it lived for over 8 months. However, the gorilla family retuned to Volcanoes National Park and is now available for trekking from Rwanda.
Kwitonda Gorilla family
This gorilla family is led by Kwitonda Silverback gorilla locally translated as humble one. Kwitonda family lives on the slopes of Mount. Muhabura and is believed to have split from gorilla families in Congo. The fact that it lives in the mountainous regions, Kwitonda family is hard to trek. Apparently, the group comprise of 18 members
Bwenge Gorilla group
Bwenge gorilla family is one of those, which featured in “Gorillas in the mist” drama. The word Bwenge is locally translated as “Wisdom” and was formed in 2007 making it one of the youngest gorilla families in Volcanoes National park. Bwenge family is headed by Bwenge silverback gorilla who leads the other 11 family members (Adult females, infants and juveniles). Bwenge family lives in the slopes of Mount Karisoke, which requires physical fitness to reach them.
Ugenda Gorilla Family
Ugenda locally means “mobile” because the gorilla family is ever on move and never settles in one location. Ugenda family comprise of 11 members inclusive of 2 silverbacks, adult females and infants. Ugenda family lives on the slopes of Mount Bisoke and not difficult to trek.
Agashya Gorilla Family
Also known as group 13, Agashya is yet another interesting gorilla family to visit on your Rwanda gorilla safari to Volcanoes National Park. The family is currently led by Agashya gorilla family who over threw the initial leader Nyakarima. The family comprise of 27 members, which make it one of the largest gorilla groups in Rwanda. Agashya family was named after its leader”Agashya silverback” and it lives on the slopes of mount Sabyinyo.
Titus Gorilla Family
Living on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke, Titus gorilla family is one of the most interesting gorilla families in Volcanoes National park. Titus gorilla family was formed way back in the times of Dian Fossey. However, the family was poached badly leaving Titus as the only survivor.
The then silverback started from zero and gathered other gorillas from other gorilla group to form the new Titus family. Titus is therefore one of the most powerful silverbacks in Volcanoes Park.
Umubano Gorilla Family
This family was initially part of Amahoro gorilla group. Later on, Charles Silverback rebelled against his elder Amahoro, the then silverback gorilla of Amahoro family. Charles then left the group along with a few members to start his own family. Umubano lives in lower areas of the park, which make it the easiest and most visited gorilla family in Volcanoes National park. Umubano comprise of 11 members at present.
Conclusively, a visit to any one of Rwanda’s gorilla families in Volcanoes National park is a lifetime experience! Visit Rwanda today and experience the magical adventure in Africa’s less visited destinations.
