Uganda gorilla groups are distributed across the two main gorilla safari parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The 2 parks offer refuge to 21 fully habituated groups of endangered mountain gorillas with about 20 existing in Bwindi and only one in Mgahinga.
At Bwindi, the 20 mountain gorilla groups live within the 4 sectors –Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija region. While at Mgahinga, the sector to begin your gorilla trek is Ntebeko.
Gorilla groups per sectors
Buhoma sector gorilla groups
Located in the northern side of Bwindi, Buhoma sector is an interesting gorilla trekking region worth visiting for mountain gorilla encounters. It is in this region where the oldest or first gorilla group (Mubare family) to open for gorilla tourism is located. Its gorilla groups include;
Mubare
Mubare group underwent through habituation process from 1991 till 1993 when it was officially opened for actual gorilla trekking. Currently comprising of about 12 members, this group was initially headed by the dominant Ruhondeza silverback gorilla, followed by Kanyonyi and later, the leadership of the group was taken by Maraya. To explore about this group, visitors can a night in the lodges in and around Buhoma.
Habinyanja
Habinyanja also most referred to as the Group H is one of the biggest groups within Bwindi N/Park. It is comprised of about 17 individuals and headed by a mature silverback. The habituation process of this group began in 1996 but after about 6 years, the group broke off creating Rushegura and the present Habinyanja. This gorilla group is composed of black back gorillas, males, juveniles, silverback, and females.
Rushegura
This group takes its name from Ebishegura, tree species that belongs to family’s favorite wandering ground. This gorilla family often ventures out to surrounding lodges and community gardens. It was created in February 2002 and currently, has a composition of 19 members.
Katwe group
The Katwe gorilla group takes its name from the hillside location where it was originally spotted in 2018. This group split off from Mubare family following the death of Kanyonyi and currently, its composition stands at 7 individuals.
Bunyindo group
This is the current addition to the already existing gorilla groups in Bwindi and has the total membership of 6 including the dominant silverback. The group was monitored by researchers for about 3 years prior to its official opening to gorilla trekking.
Rushaga gorilla groups
Nshongi group
Located in Rushaga region, the Southern sector of Bwindi is an interesting Nshongi gorilla group. The habituation process of this group started from 2006 and is splitter family of Bweza and Mishaya in 2013. Its original composition was 34 members and today, it has about 11 members comprising of infants, females, juveniles and others.
Kahungye
Comprising of 19 members, Kahungye is led by Ruziika. The group underwent through habituation process in 2008 and at the time, it had a composition of 29 individuals. It broke off from Busingye family and has juveniles, black backs, infants and sub-adults.
Bweza
This group is comprised of 11 individuals and often, it keeps around communities. It is led by Kakono silverback and other members include juvenile, adult females and infant males.
Busingye group
Busingye is known to spend its time roaming around the Rushaga slopes and was part of Kahungye. During split period, it comprised of Busingye male that led the group but currently, the group also features sub-adult black back male, adult females, infants and juveniles.
Bikingi group
Bikingi gorilla group has a composition of 14 individuals with habituation that began in 2012. This group was among the 2 families (the other being Bushaho) that were open for gorilla habituation experience. Bikingi is comprised of females, juveniles, infants and black backs.
Mishaya
Mishaya split off from Nshongi family and initially, was led by Mishaya silverback but unfortunately, he died in February 2014. The remaining members had no option and instead join the Bikingi and Bweza families. As of 2014, the group was spotted with 12 members but 4 left and the group now has 8 members.
Kutu gorilla group
Kutu is now the group visitors, especially researchers can explore during gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi. The group is headed by Kutu silverback and has about 8 individuals consisting of black back, infants, sub-adults, and juveniles.
Mucunguzi gorilla group
Mucunguzi is led by Mucunguzi silverback and originally, it belonged to Bweza family. The group currently has 8 individuals including females.
Rwigi
This group split off from Kahungye family and falls in Rushaga sector of Bwindi. It derives its name from Rwigi silverback gorilla the head of the family.
Ruhija sector
Bitukura
Bitukura gorilla group is an interesting group located in Ruhija and has 11 individuals. This group is led by Mugisha silverback who assumed leadership in 2016, and usually its members roam around the forest boundaries around Ruhija sector.
Oruzogo group
Oruzogo is comprised of 17 individuals and originally underwent habituation process from 2008. This family is led by Bakwate silverback gorilla and its members consist of sub-adults, juveniles, infants, and adult females.
Kyaguriro
Habituation process of Kyaguriro began from 1995 by the Max Planck Institute for evolutionary anthropology. The group was initially led by Zeus silverback gorilla but in 201, it was overpowered by Rukara. Unfortunately, Rukara passed on following lightning strike. The group further split creating Mukiza (Kyaguriro B) and Rukara (Kyaguriro A).
Mukiza
Mukiza is a newly created family also referred to as Kyaguriro B. This family is under the leadership of Mukiza silverback and other group members include sub-adults, adult females, infants and juvenile females.
Nkuringo region gorilla groups
Nkuringo group
Nkuringo happens to be the first group to open for gorilla trekking in Nkuringo region. It underwent through habituation process from 1997 and this group is usually encountered as it roams around the outlying zones of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Bushaho
Originally designated for gorilla habituation experience, Bushaho group is now officially open for actual gorilla trekking. It is comprised of 12 individuals and is also a splitter family from Nkuringo group. This group is led by Bahati and the entire group consists of black backs, sub-adult females, adult females and silverback.
Posho group
This is a newly introduced family to gorilla trekking in Nkuringo. It has 9 individuals which include a silverback gorilla.
Christmas
Comprising of 9 individuals, Christmas is a new addition to original groups in Nkuringo sector. This group is led by Christmas silverback gorilla and its members comprise of females, black backs and babies.
Nyakagezi group
Consisting of 8 members, Nyakagezi gorilla group is the only group to be visited in Mgahinga. It underwent through habituation process from 1991 till 1994 when it was officially opened for gorilla trekking. The group is led by Mark silverback and the group has members including juveniles, adult females, and infants.