The Katwe gorilla family is one of the gorilla-habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The Katwe gorilla family is found in the Buhoma gorilla sector located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is the most visited gorilla sector of the four gorilla sectors that Bwindi boasts about.
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is an amazing trip that will take you to southwestern Uganda and the reward is unrivalled since it gives undying memories by coming so close to the mountain gorillas.
Katwe gorilla family is headed by Mahaane, the dominant silverback. Katwe gorilla family went under habituation and in 2018, UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) declared it for trekking and this was stimulated by the increasing demand for gorilla permits in Bwindi.
Katwe gorilla family acquired its name from the hill where their habituation took place and they always find food on this hill.
Family members
The current study shows that this family is composed of 9 members; 1 dominant silverback, 3 female adults, 3 black backs and 2 infants. The Katwe gorilla family has always been seen feeding on foliage, insects, bamboo, roots, fruits, and stems.
Mother gorilla will always first breastfeed a young one before she eats her meal, young ones always imitate their elders to eat and it’s a fascinating experience to see young ones play on their mothers’ shoulders if you are tracking them, you will enjoy this moments as you record a video and taking multiple pictures.
Gorilla trekking etiquettes
Gorillas are such endangered and vulnerable creatures that need stringent rules while tracking them. From your itinerary, after a scrumptious breakfast at your lodge, head to the park headquarters for a briefing about the gorilla trekking exercise.
The park rangers will give you guidelines to follow for the successful gorilla trekking experience.
You are always required to wash your hands before encountering the gorillas, you are advised to attend a briefing about gorilla trekking, don’t litter, avoid making noise, don’t make new paths, for human wastes, you are supposed to dig deep, stand about 7 meters after finding the gorillas, avoid using flashlights.
Also, you are given an hour to spend with the gorillas, thereafter, you have to return to the park headquarters to receive a tracking certificate and this is where you find your driver guide who will transfer you back to the lodge to refresh.
