Mountain Gorilla Families in Rwanda– Volcanoes National Park is home to over 400 mountain Gorillas. Of these, there are 12 Gorilla Families that the park habituated and are available for tourists to track. There are a few more gorilla families that are purposely for research and not tourism. These are the Gorilla families you may trek during your Rwanda trekking gorilla tour.
Some of the Major gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
Kurira Gorilla Family – Susa A
Also Susa A, the group is in Volcanoes National Park. Kurira alpha male silverback gorilla heads the group. This group is the oldest since the time of Dian Fossey which she created in 1974 with originally 7 mountain gorillas. The family with time expanded to over 42 mountain gorillas. Therefore, this later forced the group to split into two to form the Igisha family (Susa B) in 2014. The group suffered a horrible poaching attack in May 2002 where it lost 2 adult gorillas. The adults were protecting their 2 babies from poachers in Volcanoes National Park. One of the most interesting aspects of mountain gorillas is the way they protect their young ones. Just like human beings, they protect their babies up to even to death.
The Igisha Group – Susa B
The group originated from Susa A Group after separating in 2014. Igisha silverback mountain gorilla currently leads the Igisha group. The group was formerly popular as the Susa B family which the park later named after the head silverback, Igisha. Today the group comprises 26 members and is one of the largest groups in Volcanoes National Park. This group is somehow a tough trek to see the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. The name Susa comes from a nearby river running through the area where the gorilla group resides.
Amahoro gorilla group
Amahoro denotes a “peaceful” gorilla family. It comes with 17 individuals, 1 silverback mountain gorilla, 2 black back, 5 adult females, and two sub-adult males. It also has 2 juveniles and five babies. However, the peace in this gorilla family also comes at a cost. Ubumwe silverback gorilla in this group is the most gentle silverback. But, unfortunately, he lost his family members to Charles in the Umubano gorilla group. Hiking through this group is a bit strenuous. However, the hike comes with encounters with these impressive wild creatures in their natural habitat.
Umubano gorilla group
Umubano means neighborliness. It comprises 11 individuals; one silverback, 1 sub-adult male gorilla, 3 adult females, and 6 baby gorillas. Umubano was once within the Amahoro family but broke off. This was after Ubumwe Silverback Umubano Silverback challenged the Ubumwe Silverback. By the time Charles became a silverback gorilla like Ubumwe, he would not contain the orders in the end. This prompted him to fight and challenge Ubumwe. They fought for weeks and months till Charles took some of Ubumwe’s female gorillas. He established his group and hence Umubano gorilla group. Since then, Charles has been controlling the family. There have been normal interactions between him and Ubumwe since there haven’t been any fights.
Karisimbi group
The Karisimbi gorilla family broke off from the original Susa “A” because of continuous fights. It comprises 15 members and it is on the Karisimbi volcano slopes that stands at 4507 meters. It features the highest mountain peak in Rwanda. The Susa “B” is ideal for trekkers who are physically well. They are believed to have found their home on top of the Karisimbi caldera slopes. Thus, you can spend an entire day tracking these unique creatures. They in most cases roam on top making the trek a bit challenging. However, it is one of the most rewarding groups in Volcanoes National Park, especially for hiking lovers.
Other Gorilla families in Rwanda include the following
Sabyinyo gorilla group
The Sabyinyo family is one of the most accessible Gorilla groups. You find it at the lower slopes of Mount Sabyinyo. Guhonda, the largest and most powerful silverback gorilla in all the gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, leads the group. He has kept his challenger Ryango away from his group as a lonely silverback. Fewer mountain gorillas exist in this gorilla group compared to the rest of the families but it is equally attractive. It was named after Sabyinyo Mountain which means “old man’s teeth.” This gorilla group is closely located around the Volcanoes National Park. It comprises 8 (eight) individuals, 1 silverback, 3 adult females, 1 non-adult female, 2 juveniles, and one baby. Tourists can track this group around Mount Sabyinyo and Gahinga.
Kwitonda gorilla group
Kwitonda Silverback gorilla leads this group, consisting of 18 members. This gorilla group also moved from Virunga National Park DR Congo. Tracking them takes time because it is one of the most exhilarating groups in the Volcanoes National Park. It is just like the Susa “B” group.
Hirwa gorilla group
This group means the lucky family. The park introduced this group on 17th June 2006. It was a time when trackers saw its creation from other rising gorillas from 2 various gorilla families; group 13 and Sabyinyo making it the smallest group in Volcanoes National Park. More members joined the group and today it comprises 9 individuals. That is; 1 silverback, three adult female gorillas, 2 sub-adult females, and 3 babies.
Agasha Family – 13 group
This is also popular as aka Agasha family. At the time of habituation, the group had only 13 members hence its name. Currently, it comprises over 25 members with one silverback gorilla, twelve adult females, and two sub-adult females. It also has three juveniles and seven baby gorillas. Before, Nyakarima headed it, while Agasha who denotes news challenged. Agashya made news by simply viewing and imagining the size and energy of Nyakarima but later being defeated by Agashya. This was amazing news for Nyakarima. Agashya migrated to the volcano to seek the protection of his family and ensure that Nyakarima never got them again.
Historically, this silverback is popular for his forceful grabbing of members from the rest of the gorilla families. Henceforth, he turned the lonely ones into his making it one of the largest groups with 25 members. This silverback is also famous for its behavior of migrating to higher altitudes with his members. What is fascinating is that whenever tourists visit this group, Agashya becomes suspicious of other silverbacks. Then, the only thing he does is to continue moving on top of the volcano. For those who wish to track this group, you must be physically fit. this enables you to hike on top to view Agashya and his group mates. It is a breathtaking adventure to reach this group but it offers unforgettable encounters.
Isimbi Gorilla Group
Muturengere the alpha male silverback gorilla leads this group. Isimbi Group is in Volcanoes National Park inhabiting the slopes of Mount Karisimbi. Getty formerly headed this group but passed on because of pneumonia. The group was created after it split from the Karisimbi gorilla family in April 2013 which was too large. This group is a medium trek group, and is quite rewarding watching the group. Today the group offers 13 members
Muhoza Family
The park named Muhoza gorilla family after the 460-pound alpha male silverback, Muhoza. It comprises over 12 mountain gorillas of varying ages. This is the newest gorilla group in Volcanoes National Park. Generally, the Muhoza group is an easy family to trek in Volcanoes National Park. This is so because lowers the mountain slopes.
Titus Gorilla Family
Titus Gorilla Family got its name from the head of the group silverback gorilla, Titus. This group is one of the oldest. It springs from the time of Dian Fossey when she was still carrying out her study on mountain gorillas at the Karisoke Research Center. At the time, Dian was fighting massive poaching targeting mountain gorillas. Titus was the only survivor from his group. Thus, she created a group under Titus’ name as the oldest gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.
The silverback Titus died on 14th September 2009 at 35 years which experts consider quite old for a male gorilla. According to tourists who have had a chance to trek the Titus group, this group is very e and rewarding. It comprises about 7 mountain gorillas. Titus group ranges as a medium hike between the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke Volcano.
The Gorilla Families in Volcanoes continue to grow thanks to a collective effort of conservation and sustainability. The community near the parks and the contribution through gorilla trekking spearhead these efforts. All Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park are amazing to visit. Apart from Visiting the gorilla families in Rwanda, visitors can also visit Chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forests. Such a combination is for primate lovers who enjoy seeing primates in their natural habitats. We also combine gorillas and culture. Also, you can go for a primate and wildlife Safari.
