Nyakagezi family found in Mgahinga gorilla national park is the only habituated family in this park. This Park is found on the lower slopes of Virunga volcanoes, which include Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga. The family is habituated in Nyakagezi sector of Mgahinga, which is a place known to have abundant food and fruits favorable for mountain gorillas to feed.
Mgahinga was first gazetted in 1991 and later upgraded to a national park in 1994. It is located in Kisoro district and is the smallest park in Uganda. Nyakagezi family used to be migratory, moving to Rwanda and DRC but that stopped some years back. The group is now permanently settled in Mgahinga National Park. It is made up of 10 members, including 5 silverbacks, 2 female adults, 2 infants and one juvenile.
The dominant silverback is called Mark, who took over leadership from his father, Bugingo – the former dominant silverback. Bugingo, who is also the oldest silverback and is believed to be about 54 years still lives within the family. This is a unique phenomenon among this gorilla family since the usual occurrence is that a dominant silverback which is overthrown is usually banished from the family and either seeks refuge in other families or dies in isolation, as was the case in Mubare family of Buhoma sector, when Kanyonyi overthrew Ruhondeza. Ruhondeza then went on to live in Isolation.
Silverback Bugingo is also referred to as Mzee, which is a native name for an old man. Other members of this family include Rukundo and Mutagambwa who are infants, Nkanda and Fred who are juveniles, Nshuti and Nyiramwiza who are adult females and two other silverbacks; Mathew and Mafia. Mafia is the assistant silverback. Fred was named after a Mountain gorilla veterinary project doctor who saved him from a wire trap.
Trekking Nyakagezi Gorilla Family.
Nyakagezi group is also easy to track since they prefer a narrow home range for nesting and feeding, and thus can easily be found. It also lives in the low areas of Mgahinga and thus is less tiring to trek unlike other families which live on steeper slopes. Eight gorilla permits are available for visiting this family per day but one ought to book in advance.
There are fewer travellers and thus less congestion in this park. Nyakagezi lives in an open area with less vegetation cover than other areas of the park, which makes photography easier. Trekking this family usually takes about 2 to 7 hours, and starts at 8:00am after briefing at the park ranger station.
What else to do other than trekking Nyakagezi gorilla family?
While on a trip to visit this family, one may take part in other activities like viewing and hiking any of the Virunga mountains, golden monkey trekking, birding and visiting the Batwa people and learning more about their way of life during the Batwa trail experience, as well as nature walks through the park.
Where to stay?
There is a range of perfect lodging facilities near Mgahinga national park including Mutanda Lake resort, Travelers Rest Hotel, Mount. Gahinga lodge, Ichumbi Hotel, Ikoro Hotel, Lake Chahafi resort, etc.
Best time to visit Nyakagezi Family.
The best time to trek gorillas in Mgahinga national park is during drier months of the year, usually June to early October and December to February.
How to get there?
Mgahinga gorilla national park is very accessible and one can choose to travel by road or by air to Kisoro airstrip. For travellers coming from Rwanda, it is easily accessible since the park is near the Rwandan border – Cyanika.
Gorilla Trekking Safaris in Mgahinga is quite affordable, since the cost is almost half that of Rwanda. it is a memorable experience for any tourist and has a lot to offer, fulfilling and fun-filled adventure that everyone should partake in on their safari to Uganda.
