Rwanda is among the few designated destinations that host the endangered mountain gorillas. The country has over 13 habituated gorilla families in total. Habituated gorilla families are families that have gone through the process of familiarizing gorillas to humans and are safe to visit.
13 gorilla families in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park.
Rwanda is incredibly rich with a diverse range of wildlife, including endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is a popular tour in this country. One can visit the 13 habituated gorilla families in Rwanda. These gorillas reside in Volcanoes National Park, which is part of the Virunga ranges.
The 13 gorilla groups are Sabyinyo, Susa, Karisimbi, Umubano, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Bwenge, Agashya, Baraka, Noheli, Kwisanga, and Ugenda.
Sabyinyo Family
Sabyinyo family was named after the Sabyinyo Mountain. This family was the first habituated family in 1972 in Rwanda. It is one of the most popular groups to visit due to its proximity to the park headquarters. Guhonda, the silverback of this family, is massive and has a calm demeanor
There are currently 18 members in this family and they include three silverbacks, three adult females, and several juveniles.
Susa Family
The Susa family is one of the largest, with 42 members, and is the oldest gorilla group in Rwanda. It was named after the Susa River, which runs through their territory. The family was made famous by the primatologist Dian Fossey, who studied them extensively. They even featured in the movie “Gorillas in the Mist.” The group is currently led by a silverback named Kurira, also known as Susa A, with infant twins Impano and Byishimo.
Karisimbi Family
The Karisimbi family is named after Mount Karisimbi, where they reside along its steep slopes. In addition, this mountain is the highest of the Virunga Mountains. It is one of the smaller gorilla groups in Rwanda, with only 15 members.
The family is known for its peaceful nature, and they are often found foraging for food in the bamboo forests. They tend to migrate to very high-altitude areas, hence forcing the trek to be postponed. However, in such times, some rangers first go ahead to confirm if the gorillas are available or not.
Umubano Family
Umubano family, which means “living together,” was formed in 2008 from the Amahoro group. Charles, the silverback, broke away from the Amahoro group to form the Umubano family. During his departure, he brought along some adult females. These females later reproduced, increasing the family to 11 members. This family stays close to the Amahoro family, though they broke away from them. Thus, the name Umubano.
Amahoro Family
Along the slopes of Mount Bisoke, we come across the Amahoro family led by a dominant but calm silverback, Ubumbwe. Amahoro family has peaceful, playful, and adorable infants, making it a favorite among trekkers. This family currently has over 21 members. It’s of no doubt that this family is peaceful because even its name, Amahoro, means “peace” in Kinyarwanda. The only conflict it has ever faced is when Charles broke away from them to create the Umubano family.
Kwitonda Family
Kwitonda means “humble one” in the local language Kinyarwanda. This family is mobile and usually moves to Congo, where it first migrated. It has recently settled on the slopes of Mount Muhabura. It currently has 18 members, of which 2 are silverbacks.
Hirwa family
This family was named Hirwa which means “lucky one” because most of the members joined it freely. It was formed when some members of the Sabyinyo family and Group 13 joined to form this new group. Staying along the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, this group now has 16 members inclusive of twins.
Bwenge family
Established in 2017, this family was named Bwenge, meaning “wisdom.” It resides along the slopes of Mount Karisoke. It has 11 members led by a dominant silverback, Bwenge, who separated from his initial family. One of its members starred in the movie “Gorillas in the Mist.”
Agashya family
Agashya family was originally known as Group 13, led by Nyakarima. This group split due to the battle for power between Nyakarima and Agashya. Agashya won this battle and decided to lead the family to the peak of Mount Sabyinyo. He is still the leader and has continuously recruited more members who separate from their families. This family currently has 5 members, and its neighboring family is the Sabyinyo group.
Ugenda family
Just like the Kwitonda family, this is another restless group that keeps on moving from one place to another. This family moves looking for food and favorable living conditions. Therefore, trekking is made challenging due to unpredictability in the family’s movement. The family’s mobility influenced the naming of this group. Ugenda, which means “being on the move.” The group now has 11 members and can be found on the slopes of Karisimbi Mountain.
Baraka family
A new addition to the park, this group is led by dominant silverback Baraka and stays around the Gikereri area. Baraka family is still undergoing habituation, which it started in February, 2020. This family so far has 19 members, though observations of this family are still going on. It is open for tourism to tourists who take part in the gorilla habituation experience.
Noheli family
Established on 17th November, 2021, it is one of the newly added families and the smallest habituated group. Located in Volcanoes National Park, the group was formed by Noheli, who was joined by three females. These had broken away from the Isimbi and Susa groups; other females joined with an infant. Later, two more infants were produced; as a result, it became a 7-member family led by Noheli.
Kwisanga Family
Kwisanga group was formed on 4th May, 2021 when the leader Kigoma decided to break away from Kwitonda with 16 members. He left peacefully with no hindrances as most of his followers wanted him to be the leader.
The group now has 17 members, 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 2 blackbacks, 2 male adolescents, 3 juveniles and 5 infants.