The rugged and impassable roads to Bwindi impenetrable national park lead visitors to the beauty and serenity of Buhoma sector. Gorilla trekking in this park is the luster that tourists cannot afford to miss because out of the four sectors in this impenetrable park, Buhoma holds the sweetest of history as it’s the mother of gorilla tourism in the park since its establishment in 1993.
Only 48 gorilla trekking permits are offered per day and even if Buhoma doesn’t inhabit highest number of gorillas in the park, the inner mystery and grace of the park makes it busiest of all the four sectors.
Six habituated gorilla families in Buhoma sector.
1. Rushegura family.
After breaking away from Habinyanja with 12 members that included 5 females in 2002, the group found its life and soul in the virescent glows of tree species called ebishegura where their beautiful name Rushegura was adopted from.
A disagreement between Mwirima – former silverback of the group and Rwansigazi his brother about the distant expeditions that were led by Rwansigazi tore the family apart by the determined Mwirima and established his family with his followers who weren’t ready to embark on the long tiring journeys that were always underway in their former family.
Late Mwirima went through a lot of huddles and fights to see that the family grows to a population of 19 members that they are currently.
Members in the family
Rushegura family is made up of 19 members with 6 adult females obliged to expanding the family, three black back, one sub-adult, three juveniles, four infants and two silverbacks responsible for leading and protecting the family.
Uniqueness of Rushegura family.
Rushegura is a calm group that tourists should endeavor to pay a visit. Rushegura family once made expeditions to as far as D.R. Congo but later it decided to settle permanently in Bwindi national park within southern Uganda.
This family is easy to track, just because it can be accessed easily from the headquarters of Bwindi national park and doesn’t take long hours tracking it. Trekkers can use a range of about 3-5 hours to sight this splendid family.
It is also known for scavenging on local community gardens close to the forest.
The late Mwirima broke a record of having fathered the highest number of off-springs so far.
How to track Rushegura family?
Kick starting the search for these gigantic apes found in Rushegura group is from the park’s headquarters. Trekking this group takes approximately 3- 5 hours of skipping on rolling green hills before the sight of ebishegura flora that mark this wondrous family.
Lead silverback of the family
The silverback of Rushegura group is called Silverback Kabukojo who inherited from Mwirima after his death in 2015. He succeeded Mwirima and took over leadership responsibilities of the group while he was still an adult blackback.
2. Mubare Gorilla Family.
History of Mubare gorilla family.
The interlocking and winding hills of Mubare provide a spacious and cozy environment for these gargantuan furry creatures in Mubare family. The family was first sighted in Mubare hills hence generating their name from this surrounding, initially with up to 12 members and within few years it had grown to 18.
However, due to fights with wild gorillas and disheartening death of some members like the worst scenario that happened in 2009 when a mother died due to a skull fracture and the baby was also found dead after some time since it was weaned well enough.
The group currently has just five members that include Kanyonyi the black back, Kashundwe the adult female and Maliaka and lastly Baby Kashundwe the infant.
Uniqueness of this family.
It is the oldest habituated family in the Pearl of Africa since its habituation process resonates from way back in 1993 after the establishment of this famous impenetrable park. The family was habituated in 1998
How to track the family
Visitors should be sure of spending 5 hours or more while on a hunt of these magnificent apes while in Buhoma.
Lead silverback of the family
The family is currently headed by a black back called Kanyonyi who is the alpha and omega of the family after the saddening death of Silverback Ruhondeza in 2013.
3. Habinyanja Gorilla Family.
History of the family.
This is among the olden groups that were habituated first when the park was opening and the pioneer trekkers tracked this family in 1999.the group was first sighted close to a bogged swamp hence their name Habinyanja which was derived from Nyanja a term that means water at time of habituation Mugurisi was the dominant silverback protecting over 30 members that were a mixture of both habituated and non-habituated gorillas. It is common especially among Africans for power struggles after the demise of the head and it was witnessed at the death of Mugurisi. The group had four silverbacks waiting to succeed their dad which led to disputes that tore the 30 – membere harmonious family apart.
However, the family settled for the time when Rwanzigazi and Mwirima choose to collaborate and unitedly protect the family which peace didn’t last long as they had to part ways due to the differences in the expeditions journeys that they both had interest in. gorillas that were adventurous chose Rwansigazi with his long itineraries over the short ones that were preferred by Mwirima.
Members in the family
Rwansigazi is tasked with protecting the lives of other 12 individuals that make up the family that include Makara, Maraya, Kisho, Nabukye, Binyonko, Rugyendi, Helsa, Hakato, Bangenyi, Hamusini, Nyamuhango and Gacyaro.
Uniqueness of this family
It is among the first habituated families in the country.
The group has power enthusiasts who are always eager to stake the group’s interests over personal interests.
Mugurisi once commanded a group of 30 members which is quite alarming from the normal number of members that a group can have.
How to track Habinyanja gorilla family
Tourists interested in tracking the individuals in the hands of Rwanzigazi should be bare the long hike that is made of jumping fallen tree branches where it is sometimes evitable to engage in a drive that leads the tourists to the Nyabishaba village to encounter the trail head of the hike.
With the demise of the old man as his name Mugurisi means in Rukiga, power struggles emerged as there were four silver backs eyeing the chair of the King but as the rest is history, the Alpha of this group is the magnificent Rwanzigazi.
Rwansigazi is the lead silverback of this family.
4. Katwe Gorilla Family.
In one of the rolling hills and panoramic views of one of the wondrous hills in Bwindi called Katwe is where this group sought refuge and hence their name was adopted. This is the fourth gorilla family to be habituated in Buhoma.
Members in the family
This group is made of 9 members that chose to be together to go through thick and thin. With one dominant silverback, it is responsible for taking care of four adult females, 2 blackbacks and 2 infants.
The introduction of this gorilla family increased the permits from 24 to 32 which is advantageous to both the tourists and the country.
How to track Katwe gorilla family?
A tracking expedition that starts at 7:00am after the rise of golden sparks of the sunray end with worthwhile trek to the northern region of the park, leading tourists to the wondrous new gorilla family in Buhoma.
5. Muyambi gorilla family.
History of Muyambi family.
The year 2019 came along with many wonders and blessings and Muyambi gorilla family was one of them. The group name originates from its founder, Muyambi who was an adult family member of Mubare that chose to part ways with the family.
Members in the family.
The family is just a growing and new family that is nuclear in nature with a total of only seven members in the family.
It is the newest gorilla group in the region and ideal for tourists who want to concentrate on small number of individuals.
How to track the family?
Tourists interested in taking a glimpse into the feeding traits, communication and life of this newly introduced group should just trust the guides as they have sufficient information on the areas of tracking and finding this group with ease.
Lead silverback of the family.
Muyambi as his name suggests is responsible with overlooking all the activities that are engaged in by the group.
6. Binyindo Gorilla Family.
This is the newest addition to Buhoma’s portfolio of gorilla families, and now visitors can track up to 6 fully habituated gorilla families in this sector. The family is led by one silverback Binyindo and consists of 9 individuals.
