Gorilla Families of Volcanoes Park in Rwanda

One of the locations where mountain gorillas can be observed is Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

The park is situated in the Virunga Range volcanoes, bordering Uganda, to the north of Kigali city.

Some of the most popular gorilla families you will encounter on Rwanda gorilla trekking excursions are listed below, with a total of over 15 mountain gorilla families.

Evaluating the Difficulty of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda

Bwenge Gorilla Family

The appellation of the Bwenge gorilla family is derived from a local term that denotes wisdom.

This is also the group that was depicted in the film “Gorillas in the Mist.”

The Bwenge gorilla family was established in 2007 when the dominant silverback, Bwenge, separated from his family to establish his own group.

Bwenge can be traversed from the foothills of Karisoke, which are situated between Mount Karasimbi and Mount Bisoke.

Ugenda Gorilla Family

The name of the Ugyenda gorilla family is derived from a local term that translates to “on the move.”

The reason for this is that the family is perpetually on the move, which complicates the journey.

The group, which consists of 11 members and includes two silverbacks, traverses the Karisimbi slopes.

Hirwa Gorilla Family

The Hirwa gorilla family was established through the amalgamation of members who separated from the Sabyinyo gorilla family and the Agashya gorilla family.

This is one of the fortunate gorilla families to have a pair of twins born in 2011.

Kwitonda Gorilla Family

The mountain foothills of Mount Muhabura offer the opportunity to trek with the Kwitonda gorilla family.

The group is named after the dominant silverback, Kwitonda, which translates to “Humble One.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo is purportedly the source of the group’s migration.

Agashya Gorilla Family

Agashya, the silverback who succeeded Nyakarima in the leadership of the Agashya gorilla family, also known as Group 13, is the dominant member.

Trekking around Mount Sabinyo is a viable option for traversing the massif.

Agashya is renowned for leading his family to higher elevations when he perceives a threat.

Sabinyo Gorilla Family

In the local language, the name Sabyinyo translates to “old, worn-out teeth.”

Mount Sabyinyo, a mountain in the Virunga massif, is the source of the group’s name.

Guhonda, the renowned reigning silverback and the heaviest silverback in Volcanoes National Park, is the dominant member of the Sabyinyo gorilla family.

The group is one of the simplest gorilla families to trek in Volcanoes National Park and is found on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo and Mount Gahinga.

Umubano Gorilla Family

The Umubano gorilla family was established when Charles separated from his natal group following a series of disputes with Ubumwe, who held a dominant position.

It is composed of 13 members and two silverbacks, and its name is derived from a local term that means “Living together.”

Amahoro Gorilla Family

The foothills of Mount Bisoke provide access to the Amahoro gorilla family for trekking.

The name of the organization is derived from a local term that signifies “peace.”

The family is one of the most tranquil in Volcanoes.

They even suffered the loss of some of their members to the Umubano gorilla family.

Karisimbi Gorilla Family

The Susa B family, also known as the Karisimbi gorilla family, separated from the Susa A mountain gorilla family in 2008.

This family, which resides on the upper summits of Mount Karisimbi, is the most challenging to traverse in Rwanda.

The group consists of 16 members, including 2 silverbacks.

Susa, A Gorilla Family

The Susa A chimpanzee family in Rwanda was one of the most intriguing, with 42 members at the time of habituation before the group separated.

Dian Fossey also conducted a comprehensive study of this population, which was fortunate enough to have twins, Impano and Bwishimo.

The group’s home range is situated on the mountain foothills of the River Karisimbi, and it is possible to trek around the Susa river.

Titus Gorilla Family

Dian Fossey conducted research on the Titus gorilla family.

The silverback, who dominated the landscape, was bereaved of his family, which included his father, by predators.

Dian Fossey reported that he appeared underdeveloped and had breathing difficulties, but he surmounted these obstacles.

Titus, the silverback, is the source of the group’s name.