Meet Rwanda's Gorilla Families | Volcanoes National Park

RWANDA GORILLA FAMILIES: Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes national park in North Western Rwanda is the most popular tourist activity that has attracted many visitors from across the world to Rwanda.

Volcanoes national park, the home to the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda is the most visited national park in the country. It is home to 12 Gorilla families / groups which are led by a dominant Silverback that have been habituated for trekking. These include, Karisimbi, Susa, Amahoro, Hirwa, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Sabyinyo, Bwenge, Ugenda, Igisha and Muhoza.

GORILLA GROUPS / FAMILIES IN VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

Susa (A)Gorilla family

Most popular gorilla group in Volcanoes national park
Named after the Susa River
Approximately 29 members and 3 Silverbacks
Originally had 42 members before the split that led to the creation of another family / group
Famous for the playful twin gorillas, Byishimo and Impano
Dian Fossey studied this group during her time in the Volcanoes national park
Quit challenging to trek as it prefers the staying in the higher elevations of the mountains.

Karisimbi Gorilla family (Susa B)

Also usually known as Susa B as it is the group that split from the original Susa gorilla family.
It has 15 members including 3 silverbacks
Lives around the slopes of Mt. Karisimbi
Hardest gorilla family to track as it stays in the higher slopes of Mount Karisimbi.
Creates a thrilling hiking experience with rewarding scenic views for the adventurous traveler

Sabyinyo Gorilla family

Considered the easiest to track down as it lives at the edges of the park on the slopes on Sabyinyo volcano.
Gets its name from its home, Mt Sabyinyo meaning “Old Man’s Teeth”
Has about 12 members with its leader, the famous Guhonda
Guhonda is the largest Silverback in the park (220 kg)
He has kept his family together by keeping out Ryango the silverback, his main challenger.

Amahoro Gorilla family

Considered the most peaceful gorilla family in Volcanoes national park hence its name Amahoro which means peace
Has about 18 members and 2 silverbacks
Led by a dominant silverback called Ububwe, a very peaceful silver back. His nature however has seen him loss family members to other groups, especially to Umubano group
The family live on the higher slopes of Mt. Bisoke, making the trekking of this group strenuous.

Umbano Gorilla family

Led by Charles the silverback, this group split from the Amahoro gorilla family
13 members and 2 silverbacks
Lives on the lower slopes of Mt. Bisoke making it easy to track down
“Umbano” literally means living together
They share the same territory peacefully with the Amahoro group

Agashya (Group 13) Gorilla family

Formerly known as Group-13, the original number of family members and it was led by Nyakarima
Agashya challenged Nyakarima to a fight which he won and moved away with all the family members; thus, the group was named after him.
Agashya means “News”
25 members and 2 silverbacks
The family shares the same territory with Sabyinyo group and at the first sense of danger, Agashya moves his family members higher up the mountain.

Kwitonda Gorilla family

This group migrated from Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Kwitonda means “humble one”
The group gets its name from its humble dominant Silverback called Kwitonda
They live on the slopes of Mt. Muhabura
23 members including 4 silverbacks
Strenuous to track as it mostly prefers the higher slopes of the mountain

Hirwa Gorilla family

One of the newest groups in the park formed in 2006
Was formed by members who moved voluntarily from Group 13 (Agashay) and Sabyinyo group and came together to form the Hirwa group
Hirwa means “lucky one” as the groups’ formation was out of luck
16 members including 1 silverback and a pair of twins born in 2011
The group lives on the lower slopes of Mt. Sabyinyo on Mt. Gahinga’s side
Led by a very protective dominant Silverback

Bwenge Gorilla family

Formed in 2007 by the dominant silverback called Bwenge
Bwenge means wisdom
Has 11 members
Some of the group members featured in the Gorillas in the Mist movie
It lives in the slopes of Karisoke volcano

Ugenda Gorilla family

Consists of 11 members including 2 silverbacks
Ugenda means “on the move”
This gorilla group is very mobile hence its name
Lives and moves around Mt. Karisimbi and Visoke

Muhoza Gorilla Family

Igisha Gorilla Family

So many options to choose from on which mountain gorilla family to trek as you plan your visit to Volcanoes national park. Be sure to book and pay for your gorilla trekking permit in advance before your travel.