Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Sectors and Gorilla Families

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Sectors and Gorilla Families: Bwindi Impenetrable is home to 50% (459) of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world situated in different sectors in the East, North and South namely Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija sectors. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi gorilla group.

All the gorilla families in different sectors are habituated and safe for tracking, each sector is different in accessibility, tracking experience, altitude and more, though it is easy to cross from one sector to the other meaning tourists can sleep in one sector and trek in another like night in Nkuringo and trek in Rushaga, Ruhija and trek in Buhoma.

Visiting more than one sector gives you a unique understanding of the gorillas of different sectors and their different ways. The sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are as below.

BUHOMA SECTOR

Buhoma Sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and most visited sector because of its easy access among them all. Buhoma was the first sector to be opened (Mubare family) for gorilla trekking in 1992 after the establishment of the park. First travelers and trackers of the Mountain Gorillas did it in Buhoma being the first forest.

Buhoma Sector is near Queen Elizabeth national Park and can be accessed via the Ishasha sector, home of the famous tree climbing lions. Buhoma sector boasts the most luxurious lodge in Bwindi which is also one of the reason why the sector is the most preferred. Buhoma sector is the best birding area in the park and one of the best in Africa, other activities in the sector include hiking with the sector having a number of hiking trails like River Ivi trail, Waterfall trail, Munyaga, Muzabairoloop trail and more.

Gorilla Families in Buhoma Sector

The Buhoma sector has 7 habituated gorilla families that can be visited by tourists;

mubare gorilla family

Mubare Gorilla Family was the first habituated family to be opened for regular gorilla trekking, and it is marked in the history of gorilla trekking in Uganda as the first ever gorilla family to be visited by the first travelers. The family was habituated in 1992 after the establishment of the park. this family got its name from the Mubare hill where the group was first spotted, this family consists of 9 individuals, 1 silver back called Kanyonyi, a dominate silver back.

habinyanja gorilla family

Habinyanja Gorilla Family was habituated in 1997 and first trekked in 1999. This family consists of 18 individuals lead by Makara a dominant silver back, and other family members include Rwansigazi, Banganyi, Kisho, Binonko, Nabukye, Rugyendi, Nyamuhango, Elsa, Hamusini, Hakato, Gacyaro and Maraya. Habinyanja gorilla family got its name from a Rukiga word “ Nyaja” meaning water because it was first sighted at a swamp pond near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Rushegura gorilla family

Rushegura Gorilla Family split from Habinyanja Gorilla Family, it was habituated and first trekked in 2000. The family has 19 individuals under the leadership of a dominant silver back (Mwirima), the blackback(Kabukojo), 2 sub-adult females (Kalembezi and Ruterana), 5 adult females( Kyirinvi,Kibande, Buzinza, Nyamunwa, Karungyi), 5 infants (Kyirinvi, Nyamunmwa, Buzinza, Katabazi and Kibade) and 5 juveniles (Nyampazi, Kibande, Karungyi, Kafuruka, Kanywanyi).

Katwe Gorilla Family

Katwe Gorilla Family is the newest family in Buhoma sector, it was opened for tracking in 2018. It is made up of I dominate silver back, 2 blackbacks, 4 adult females and 2 infants.

Kanywanyi Gorilla Family

This is one of the new gorilla families that has been habituated for gorilla trekking in buhoma sector. It’s comprised of 5 individuals. It’s a stable family and it has not yet been integrated into the Gorilla booking system.

Binyindo Gorilla family

This family is comprised of 9 members. The group is composed of 9 individuals including 1 Silverback, 5 Adult females, 2 Juveniles and 1 Infant. The group was named after the lead Silverback’s outstanding nasal features. Binyindo is the latest gorilla family added to the gorilla tourism families in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park. The group was monitored by rangers and researchers for 3 years before it was opened for tourism.

Muyambi Gorilla family

Muyambi’s group is led by Silverback Muyambi. Muyambi group was formed in 2019 after Silverback Muyambi led a split from Mubare group, taking along 4 adult females with him. The group is composed of 7 individuals including 1 Silverback, 4 Adult females and 2 Infants.

How to access Buhoma Sector

Buhoma Sector can be accessed from Kihihi airstrip using the Kabale route, it can be accessed from Queen Elizabeth National Park via the Ishasha sector. Buhoma is 8-9 hours drive from Kampala/Entebbe airport. 5-6 hours drive from Kigali, Rwanda.

NKURINGO SECTOR

Nkuringo Sector is located in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National, the sector is situated at a higher altitude of the park meaning for one to trek its gorilla families they need to be physically fit and in position to manage long hikes. the sector is home to 3 gorilla families. Nkuringo sector can be easily accessed via Kigali, Rwanda, Nkuringo is next to Rushaga sector meaning one can rest in Nkuringo and trek in Rushaga and vice versa.

Gorilla Families in Nkuringo

Nkuringo Gorilla Family was the first family to be habituated and trekked in the southern sector of the park in 1997. Nkuringo was initially a family of 17 individuals but with time many members have split from the group remaining with only 12 members consisting of 1 silver back, 2 adult females, 2 sub-adult females, 3 juveniles and 2 infants. Nkuringo Gorilla Family has a history of being the first gorilla family to register the birth of twins. Katugi and Muhozi but unfortunately,katugi died at an early age of one year and a half due to illnesses. Nkuringo is the hardest group to track, though noon of the clients complain after sighting the gorillas and spending an hour with numerous photographs creating a lifetime experience.

Posho Gorilla Family

Posho gorilla family has 17 individuals with a dominant silver back Magara. It was fully habituated on 30^th June 2023 however the group has not been added to the gorilla reservation system meaning it’s still under observation The family consists of 1 Silver back, 4 adult females, 3 sub- adults, 3 juveniles and 5 infants.

Bushaho Gorilla Family

Bushaho Gorilla Family was formed by individuals who split from the Nkuringo Gorilla Family. The family is made up of 8 individuals that’s 1 Silver back called Bahati and leader of the family, 1 blackback, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 1 infant and I juvenile.

Christmas Gorilla Family

Christmas Gorilla Family is the newest family in the sector. The family is made up of 9 individuals and led by a silverback called Christmas. The silver back got its name because it was born on Christmas.

How to access Nkuringo Sector

The sector can be accessed from Kigali Rwanda via the Kyanika border post for about 4-5 hours drive. One can opt to fly into the nearby airstrip “Kisoro airport”.

Drive from Kampala/Entebbe for about 8-9 hours.

RUSHAGA SECTOR

Rushaga Sector is located in the southern part of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Rushaga has the highest population of mountain gorillas with 10 gorilla families and is one of the sectors where gorilla habituation takes place with 2 gorilla habituation families.

Rushaga offers other amazing activities to its guests like Batwa community visits, Birding, Nature Walks, Hiking. The sector is close to Lake Mutanda offering great opportunities for boat cruise on Lake Mutanda.

Gorilla Families in Rushaga Sector

Nshongi Gorilla Family

Nshongo Gorilla Family is made up of 7 individuals under the leadership of one dominant silver back called Bweza other individuals are 3 adult females, 1 sub adult, 1 juvenile and 1 infant.

Kahungye Gorilla Family

Kahungye Gorilla Family got its name from where the family was first sighted at Kahungye Hill. The family is made up of 17 individuals lead by a dominant silver back Rumaz and other members are 3 silver backs, 3 adult females, 3 juveniles, 2 infants and 3 sub- adults.

Busingye Gorilla Family

Busingye Gorilla Family split from Kahungye Gorilla Family. The group’s name is got from a Lukiga word “Busingye” which means peace. It is made up of 9 individuals lead by a dominant silver back “Busingye”.

Mishaya Gorilla Family

Mishaya Gorilla Family is was formed an individual “Mishaya” who split from Nshongi Gorilla Family, the family is made up of 12 individuals under the leadership of Mishaya a dominate silverback.

Bweza Gorilla Family

Bweza Gorilla Family has over 13 individuals lead by a dominant silver back Kakono and other individuals are 2 silver backs, 4 black backs, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult and 2 infants.

Rwigi Gorilla Family

Rwigi Gorilla Family is still anew gorilla family which split from Kahungye gorilla Family, it is made up of 6 individuals led by Rwigi a dominant silver back.

Mucunguzi Gorilla Family.

Mucunguzi Gorilla Family split from Bweza Gorilla Family after a series fights. the family is predominantly female with 8 females since it has many female individuals, it is led by a dominant silverback called Mucunguzi which means savior. The family recently welcomed anew member in the family bringing the total to 15 individuals, birthed by adult female Migogo.

Bikyingi Gorillas Family.

Bikyingi Gorilla Family is made up of members who spit from Mishaya gorilla family and came together with other wild gorillas to form a family of 21 individuals. The group was then put under gorilla habituation. The group is led by a dominant silverback called Bikyingi.

Kutu Gorilla Family.

Tinderine Gorilla Family.

How to access Rushaga sector

It can be accessed via Rwanda for about 4-5 hours drive via the Kyanika border post. Fly from Entebbe or Kigali airport to the nearby Kisoro airstrip. Drive from Kampala/Entebbe to the sector for about 8-9 hours.

RUHIJA SECTOR

Ruhija Sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Ruhija has a population of mountain gorillas of 6 gorilla families.

Ruhija Sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the most visited sector of the park, the sector situated 2350 meters above sea level making it the coldest among all the 4 sectors of the park. Ruhija is the closest to Lake Bunyonyi for travelers who are interested in Gorilla trekking and exploring Lake Bunyonyi, it is very easy to sleep in Bunyoyi and trek gorillas in Ruhija.

Ruhija sector also offers breathtaking hiking trails to Rwamunyonyi peak, while in the sector your offered other wildlife species like Elephant, monkeys among others.

Gorilla Families in Ruhija Sector

Bitukura Gorilla Family

Bitukura Gorilla Family was habituated in 2007 and initially consisted of 24 individuals but due to internal conflicts many run away from the group remaining with only 14 family individuals with 4 silverbacks, 4 adult females, 2 juveniles, 3 infant and 1 baby.

Oruzogo Gorilla Family

Oruzongo Gorilla Family was opened to tourism in 2007. The family has 17 individuals with old silverback (Bakwate) 2 silver backs (Kaganga and Kasumali), 6 adult females (Nyangaro, Katoto, Ruchura, Mutesi, Nyajina, Mukwano) 1 black back (Bwengye), 3 sub adult males ( Nyakashunja, Musenene, Nyabirano, Muhumuza), 2 infant males (Mufuruki, Paska), 1 infant (Musana).

Kyaguriro A Gorilla Family.

Kyaguriro Gorilla Family was habituated in 1995 mainly for research purposes, it is made up of 20 individuals. The group was first led by Mukiza who left and made is own family and it was under the leadership of Rukina who died later on and its being led by a dominant sliver back. The group later split, forming two gorilla groups, Kyaguriro A and Kyaguriro B. Kyaguriro A gorilla family is now 2made of 7 members and its not yet been visited by tourists.

Mukiza Gorilla Family

Mukiza Gorilla Family was formed a silver back (Kyaguriro) that split from his family and formed his own. The family is made up of 10 individuals.

Kyaguriro B Gorilla Family

Kyaguliro B is a splinter group from the Kyaguliro Gorilla family. It is composed of 8 individuals. The group is not yet integrated into the Gorilla Trekking System. Kyaguliro B broke away from Kyaguliro A after the death of the dominant silverback Rukina and it remained with the name Kyaguliro.

How to get to Ruhija sector.

The sector is 4-5 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda meaning it can be accessed from Kigali via the Kyanika or Katuna land border crossing. Can also be accessed via the Kihihi airstrip. Drive from Kampala/Entebbe for 8-9 hours.