Uganda offers one of the most reliable mountain gorilla trekking experiences in Africa, with habituated gorilla families found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. These families are carefully monitored and visited under strict guidelines to protect their health and natural behaviour. Bwindi is divided into four main trekking sectors, Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo, each hosting different gorilla families. Mgahinga is home to the Nyakagezi family, known for its movement across the Virunga region. Because gorilla families change over time through births, deaths, and group splits, the number of individuals in each group is not fixed. This guide explains the main trekking sectors, the habituated gorilla families in each area, and how to choose the best location for your Uganda gorilla safari.
Gorilla Trekking Sectors in Uganda
Buhoma Gorilla Families
Buhoma is one of the first sectors of Bwindi to be opened for tourism. It remains one of the most preferred sectors because it is more developed compared to others and has better access to accommodation, community services, and additional activities. There are schools, community health facilities, and several activities that can be done apart from gorilla trekking, including village walks, mountain biking, and visits to the Batwa community for a cultural experience. These activities are usually done after the gorilla trek. Trekking in Buhoma is often shorter in some cases because certain gorilla families do not move very deep into the forest, although this cannot be guaranteed.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family
This group is one of the earliest habituated gorilla families. It was originally a large group of about 25 members, including several strong male gorillas. The group was first found living near a swampy area in Bwindi, which is how it got its name Habinyanja, derived from the local word “Nyanja” meaning a lake. In 2002, the group split into two, creating the Rushegura family. After the split, Habinyanja remained with about 17 members, including 1 alpha male, 1 blackback male, 5 adult females, 1 subadult, 3 juveniles, and 6 infants. It is important to note that these numbers are not fixed because gorillas may die, new ones are born, and some may transfer between groups.
Mubare Gorilla Family
Mubare is the oldest habituated gorilla family in Uganda and was the first to be opened for trekking. It was led for a long time by Ruhondeza, a dominant silverback known for maintaining strict control over the group and limiting competition from other males. After his death in 2012, the group remained with one male called Kanyonyi, who took over leadership. The group has about 11 members, including the alpha male, 6 adult females, 3 infants, and 1 sub-adult. This group is considered the foundation of gorilla trekking tourism in Uganda.
Rushegura Gorilla Family
Rushegura was formed in 2002 after splitting from Habinyanja. The name comes from a tree species called “Ebishegura” found in the area where the split occurred. This group is known to be relatively easy to track because it often feeds close to the park headquarters, lodges, and sometimes near community areas and farms. The group has about 16 members, including 1 silverback called Kabukojo, 4 blackbacks, 4 adult females, 3 juveniles, and 4 infants.
Katwe Gorilla Family
The Katwe group has been under habituation for several years and was opened for trekking in August 2018. Due to demand and successful habituation, the group is now available for trekking permits in Buhoma.
Ruhija Gorilla Families
Ruhija is located in the eastern part of Bwindi and is less developed compared to Buhoma. It offers a quieter trekking experience with fewer visitors. Travellers may choose to stay in Buhoma, especially luxury travellers, and then drive to Ruhija early in the morning for trekking. Ruhija has three gorilla families available for trekking.
Bitukura Gorilla Family
Bitukura is one of the fastest groups to be habituated, taking about 15 months compared to the usual two years for other groups. This group is known for its calm nature and strong social structure. Members rarely fight, and there is a high level of tolerance among the males. The group has about 13 members, including 4 silverbacks, 4 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 3 infants.
Kyaguliro Gorilla Family
Kyaguliro was initially habituated for research purposes and later opened for tourism. The group was originally led by Rukina, who died in 2015 after being struck by lightning. After his death, Mukiza, an inexperienced silverback, took over leadership. Later, the group was attacked by Rukara, a silverback from Bitukura, which caused chaos and eventually led to a split into two groups, Kyaguliro A, led by Rukara and Kyaguliro B, led by Mukiza. Group A has about 10 members, including 1 alpha, 2 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants. Group B has about 10 members as well, including 1 alpha, 4 adult females, 1 sub-adult, and 4 infants.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family
Oruzogo is composed of about 17 members, including 2 silverbacks, 2 blackbacks, 5 adult females, 2 sub-adults, 1 juvenile, and 5 infants. The group is popular with visitors because of its playful juveniles and infants. The name comes from a plant locally known as “Oruzogo,” found in the area where the group feeds
Rushaga Gorilla Families
Rushaga is located in southern Bwindi and is one of the most accessible sectors, especially for travellers coming from Kigali in Rwanda. It is also one of the main sectors where gorilla habituation experiences are offered.
Nshongi Gorilla Family
Nshongi was once one of the largest gorilla families, with about 32 members. Due to internal rivalry among males, the group later split, leading to the formation of the Mishaya and Bweza families. After several splits, the group has reduced significantly and now has about 7 members, including 1 alpha male, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant.
Mishaya Gorilla Family
Mishaya was formed after the split from Nshongi in 2010. The original silverback died in 2014 due to an intestinal condition, which led to the group dispersing. Later, a new dominant silverback called Mishaya regrouped members and rebuilt the family. The group now has about 12 members with 1 dominant male.
Bweza Gorilla Family
Bweza was originally part of Nshongi before forming its own group under Kakono as the dominant male. The group prefers feeding near community areas rather than deep forest vegetation. It has about 12 members, including 2 silverbacks, 4 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult, and 2 infants
Kahungye Gorilla Family
Kahungye was established in 2008 with about 29 members. Due to rivalry among 3 dominant males, the group split in 2012, forming Busingye. The group now has about 17 members, including 3 silverbacks led by Rumanzi, 3 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 3 sub-adults, 3 juveniles, and 2 infants.
Busingye Gorilla Family
Busingye was formed after splitting from Kahungye. It has about 9 members, including 1 alpha, 3 adult females, 1 juvenile, and 4 infants. This group tends to forage deeper in the forest and is rarely seen near the park edges.
Nkuringo Gorilla Families
Nkuringo Gorilla Family
Nkuringo was the first group to be habituated in this sector. The group originally had about 17 members, but has been reduced to about 12. It is known for recording one of the first cases of twin births among mountain gorillas.
Bikingi Gorilla Family
Bikingi was formed in 2012 from dispersed members of Mishaya. The group is mainly used for the gorilla habituation experience. It has about 15 members, including 1 silverback, 5 adult females, 2 sub-adults, 2 juveniles, and 5 infants.
Bushaho Gorilla Family
Bushaho was formed after members dispersed from Nkuringo. It is led by a silverback called Bahati and has about 8 members. These include 1 blackback, 3 adult females, 1 subadult, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant.
Christmas Gorilla Family
The Christmas group is one of the newest additions, opened for trekking in August 2018. It has over 9 members and is located in the southern part of Bwindi.
Mgahinga Gorilla family
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another location for gorilla trekking in Uganda and is part of the wider Virunga conservation region
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family
Nyakagezi has about 10 members and is led by a silverback called Mark. The group includes multiple silverbacks, adult females, juveniles, and infants. It was established in 1991 and opened for tourism in 1994. This family is known for its transboundary movement, often moving into Rwanda and the DR Congo. However, it is also known for strong social tolerance, with several silverbacks coexisting peacefully in one group.
How to Choose the Best Gorilla Family to Trek
Choosing a gorilla family is not entirely controlled by the traveller. The final allocation is done by park wardens on the day of trekking, based on permit availability, fitness level, and the location of gorilla families. Travellers can choose the sector they want to trek in based on accommodation preference, accessibility, and travel route. Those who prefer less strenuous treks can request groups that are known to stay closer to starting points, although this cannot be guaranteed.