Bwindi Mountain Gorilla Families: A Deep Look into Uganda’s Great Apes
Deep in the mist-covered hills of southwest Uganda, the dense forests of Bwindi hold a world very few people get to see. This forest is home to more than half of all the mountain gorillas left on earth. While
these animals were once wild and shy, but many groups have become used to seeing humans through a process called habituation. Today, there are over 21 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi. Each group has its own story, a unique leader, and a specific home within the four sectors of the park.
Knowing which family you might visit helps you prepare for the hike. Some groups stay near the park edges, while others live deep in the mountains where the climbs are steep. As someone who spends days in these forests, I can tell you that no two treks are the same. Your journey depends on which sector you choose and which silverback is leading his family that day.
Buhoma Sector: The Home of the First Habituated Families
Buhoma sits in the northern part of Bwindi. It is the most famous part of the park because it was the first place where people could visit gorillas in 1993. The forest here is lower in altitude than the south, making the hikes a bit more manageable for those worried about fitness.
Mubare Gorilla Family
The Mubare family is the oldest group in the park. They were first seen by trackers near the Mubare hills, which is how they got their name. In the beginning, the group was led by a silverback named
Ruhondeza. He was a legendary leader who ruled for many years until he passed away from old age in 2012 at about 50 years old.
Today, the group is much smaller than it used to be. After Ruhondeza died, many members left or joined other groups. A silverback named Maraya eventually took over. He was a lonely male who fought hard to win leadership. Currently, the group has about 9 members. They are often easy to find because they stay close to the Buhoma park office. If you are looking for a shorter walk, this is often the group you hope to see.
Habinyanja Gorilla Family
This group was first habituated in 1997. Their name comes from the word “Nyanja,” which means a
place with water or a swamp. They were first spotted near a swampy area in the forest. Originally, a silverback named Mugurisi led them. After he died, his sons Mwirima and Rwansigazi shared power.
They were very different. Mwirima liked to stay in one place, while Rwansigazi loved to travel long distances. Eventually, they split. Rwansigazi kept the Habinyanja name. Today, a silverback named Makara leads about 13 members. You might spend a few hours hiking to find them because they move across wide areas, but seeing their large number of blackbacks and juveniles makes the walk worth it.
Rushegura Gorilla Family
When Mwirima split from the Habinyanja group in 2002, he formed the Rushegura family. The name 
comes from “Ebishegura,” a type of tree that grows where the split happened. Mwirima was known for being a calm and peaceful leader. He lived to be over 35 years old before passing away.
The group is now led by Kabukojo. They are famous for being very friendly. Sometimes, they even wander into the gardens of local lodges. With about 16 members, including several playful infants, they are a favorite for photographers. They don’t mind the cameras and often sit in open clearings.
Rushaga Sector: The Land of Many Families
The southern part of Bwindi is called Rushaga. It has the highest number of habituated groups in the park. The hills here are steep, and the forest is thick. This is where you go if you want a more challenging hike and a chance to see very large families.
Nshongi Gorilla Family
Nshongi was once the largest group ever habituated in Uganda, with over 36 members. They were 
named after the Nshongi River, where they were first found. The word “Nshongi” refers to a deep honey color, similar to the water in that river.
Because the group was so big, it eventually split into several smaller families, like Bweza and Bikingi. Today, the Nshongi group has about 10 members. They are led by a silverback who kept the original name. Even though they are smaller now, they still live in a beautiful, remote area that feels very wild.
Mishaya Gorilla Family
Mishaya was a silverback who left the Nshongi group in 2010 to start his own family. He was known as a fighter. He would often start battles with other groups to steal their females. Mishaya died unexpectedly in 2014 at the age of 28.
The leadership was taken over by Mwine. The group currently has about 12 members. They live in a part of the forest with many hills, so be ready for some climbing. Their history of fighting has made them a very tight-knit group that stays close together.
Busingye Gorilla Family
The name Busingye means “Peace,” but the leader is anything but peaceful. He split from the
Kahungye family in 2012. He is known for being quite aggressive toward other silverbacks. He often takes females from wild groups to grow his own family.
There are about 9 members in this group. They like to forage deep in the forest where the food is plentiful. Because Busingye is so protective, he sometimes moves his family away from the sounds of humans, which can make the trek a bit longer.
Mucunguzi Gorilla Family
Mucunguzi means “Savior.” This group is one of the newer additions to Rushaga. The leader, Mucunguzi, was once a member of the Bweza group. He was the youngest of three silverbacks and was eventually chased away. After living alone for a long time, he attacked the Bikingi group and took their females to start his own family.
It is a small group of about 12 members, and most of them are females. This makes for a very interesting dynamic to watch, as the silverback spends a lot of time keeping his many wives in order.
Ruhija Sector: The High Altitude Forest
Ruhija is located in the eastern part of Bwindi. It is high up, which means the air is cool and the views of the Virunga Mountains are clear. This sector is great for bird watching and has some of the most peaceful gorilla groups.
Bitukura Gorilla Family
This group is unique because their habituation only took 15 months, which is very fast. Usually, it takes two years or more. They are named after the Bitukura River.
What makes Bitukura special is that they have four silverbacks living together peacefully. Usually, silverbacks fight for total control, but these males seem to get along. The group is led by Ndahura, who is about 30 years old. There are 13 members in total. They are a very relaxed group and often stay in areas that are easy to reach.
Oruzogo Gorilla Family
Named after the “Oruzogoto” plant that they love to eat, this group was opened for visitors in 2011. They are led by a silverback named Bakwate, which means “an intelligent learner.”
The group is famous for its energy. They have many juveniles and infants who spend their time wrestling and swinging from vines. With 15 members, there is always something happening in this family. The hike to find them can be moderate, often taking you through beautiful meadows within the forest.
Nkuringo Sector: The Toughest Trek with the Best Views
Nkuringo is in the southwest. It is widely considered the hardest sector to trek because of the steep terrain. However, the views of the volcanoes in Rwanda and Congo are unmatched.
Nkuringo Gorilla Family
This was the first group habituated in the southern sector back in 2004. They are named after the “round hills” where they were first seen. The original leader, also named Nkuringo, died in 2008. His
sons, Safari and Rafiki, took over.
Rafiki was a very famous silverback who was sadly killed by a poacher in 2020. The group is now led by a silverback named Rwamutwe. They have 17 members. Because they live on a very steep ridge, you will need to be in good shape. The walk back up to the park office at the end of the day is famous for being a “thigh-burner.”
Best Time to Visit Bwindi for Gorilla Tracking
If you are planning a trip to see these families, timing is very important. I have spent years walking these trails, and the weather changes how the forest feels.
June to August and December to February are the dry seasons. These are the best months. The trails are not as slippery, and the sun shines through the trees. It makes taking photos much easier. However, these are also the busiest months. Permits sell out months in advance.
March to May and September to November are the rainy seasons. The forest becomes very green and lush. Gorillas often stay in the lower slopes because food is easy to find, so your trek might actually be shorter. The downside is the rain. It can pour for hours, and the paths become very muddy. If you don’t mind getting wet and want more privacy, this is a good time to go
How Each Day in the Forest Looks
Your day starts early, around 7:30 AM. You gather at the park headquarters for a briefing. The rangers will tell you the rules: stay 10 meters away, don’t use flash, and keep your voice low.
By 8:30 AM, you enter the forest. You follow “trackers” who go out even earlier to find where the gorillas slept the night before. You will walk through thick vines and ferns. Sometimes the rangers use machetes to clear a path.
When you finally see the silverback, everything goes quiet. You have exactly one hour with them. You might see a mother grooming her baby or a silverback eating bamboo shoots. It is a powerful moment. You realize how much they look like us. After the hour is up, you hike back out, usually arriving at the office by mid-afternoon to get your certificate
Frequently Asked Questions about Bwindi Gorilla Families
Which gorilla family is the easiest to trek in Bwindi?
The Mubare and Rushegura families in the Buhoma sector are often the easiest. They tend to stay near the park headquarters and the forest edge. However, gorillas move every day, so no trek is guaranteed to be short.
How many people can visit a gorilla family each day?
Only 8 people are allowed to visit a single gorilla family per day. This is to prevent the animals from getting stressed and to reduce the risk of spreading human diseases to them.
Can I choose which gorilla family to visit?
You can ask the rangers during the morning briefing. They try to group people based on fitness and age. If you prefer a shorter hike, tell them early. They will do their best to match you with a nearby family
What happens if a silverback gets angry?
Silverbacks are generally very calm. If they feel threatened, they might beat their chests or make a loud noise. This is usually just a warning. Your rangers are trained to read their body language and will keep you safe.
Do I need a permit for a specific family?
No, your permit is for a specific sector (like Buhoma or Rushaga). Once you arrive at that sector’s office, the rangers decide which family you will track based on where the gorillas are that morning.
How old do I have to be to see the gorillas?
The minimum age is 15 years old. This is a strict rule set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to ensure that all visitors are physically able to handle the hike and follow the safety rules
Final Thoughts for Your Trip
When you stand in front of a 400-pound silverback, you won’t be thinking about the mud on your boots. You will be thinking about how lucky we are that these creatures still exist. Whether you choose the steep hills of Nkuringo or the lower forests of Buhoma, the experience stays with you forever. Make sure to book your permit at least six months early, as there are only 160 or so spots available each day for the entire park.
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