Susa family (Susa A) in Volcanoes National Park

Susa family is one of the oldest and historical mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. This family is famous for having been studied by the great primatologist –Dian Fossey. The family was of significant importance in the conservation history of Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga Conservation Area. The Virunga Conservation Area comprises four national parks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The parks in the Virunga Conservation Area are made of the following national parks; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Virunga National Park, and Volcanoes National Park.

A trip to Volcanoes National Park will give you a chance to visit many gorilla families including one Susa family. The Susa gorilla family comprised 7 members at the time of habituation. The numbers increased over the years and they became 40 members. However, with the conflicts and power struggles among gorilla families, the Susa family has 28 members comprising 2 silverbacks.

Trekking the Susa gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park

Trekking the Susa gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park is a rewarding experience. It is also a challenging experience that requires a certain degree of expertise and physical fitness. The family is fond of climbing to higher altitudes and sometimes reaches points where trekkers cannot reach. If you are looking for a challenging hiking and gorilla trekking safari, you should book a gorilla trekking permit targeting the Susa family.

Trekking Susa gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park starts early in the morning. Trekkers usually start their gorilla trekking day in Volcanoes National Park with a delicious breakfast at their respective lodges. This is followed by a pre-gorilla trekking at the park headquarters. The briefing is meant to equip trekkers with knowledge about mountain gorilla trekking rules and regulations or mountain gorilla trekking etiquette in Volcanoes National Park. Only 8 people are allowed to trek the Susa gorilla family per day. With the help of experienced guides and park rangers, meeting the Susa gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park becomes easy. The guides usually know where this amazing mountain gorilla family spent the previous night. They follow the trails and markings like dug and leftovers to locate the mountain gorilla family.

Upon meeting the Susa mountain gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park on your mountain gorilla trekking safari or adventure, trekkers are given one hour to spend in their presence. The one hour is all theirs to monitor and observe the behaviors of the gorilla family to the gorilla family. Trekkers are allowed to take as many pictures as possible so long as they strictly follow the mountain gorilla trekking rules and regulations in Rwanda or Volcanoes National Park.

Depending on the time of locating the gorilla family, travelers may visit the Karisoke Research Center. At the research center, they learn about the works of Dian Fossey. Dian Fossey was a legendary mountain gorilla conservationist in the Virunga Conservation Area with a major base in Volcanoes National Park. Dian Fossey was committed to putting an end to human-wildlife conflict through gorilla conservation. She was killed by poachers and buried in Volcanoes National Park. Dian Fossey’s grave is one of the major tourist attractions found in Volcanoes National Park.

Group Membership and size

As earlier stated the Susa mountain gorilla family was once as big as a 42-member group. With the recurring power struggles among silver backs (adult male gorillas), the Susa group split into two groups that is Susa A family and the Susa B gorilla family. As of today, the Susa A gorilla family comprises 28 members including two silverbacks that were once studied by Dian Fossey. The group or family is also popular for having playful twins known as Byishimo and Impano. This is one of the reasons why most of the trekkers in Rwanda want to trek the Susa gorilla family.

Other mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is home to 10 mountain gorilla families available for trekking. If you are looking for a reliable mountain gorilla trekking destination in East Africa, Rwanda should not be missed on your travel list. Below are some of the mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park.

The Karisimbi mountain gorilla family also known as the Susa B group
Kwitonda mountain gorilla family
Sabyinyo Mountain Gorilla group
Umubano mountain gorilla family
Amahoro Mountain gorilla family
Hirwa Mountain gorilla group
Agashaya Mountain gorilla family
Ugenda Mountain gorilla group

Some of the gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park cross to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Virunga National Park. Book your Rwanda Mountain gorilla trekking permit now and enjoy an exceptional experience in this world of mountain gorillas.

How to access Volcanoes National Park?

Volcanoes National Park is located in the northern province of Rwanda in the Musanze district. The park can be accessed by road and flights from Kigali city. Kigali International Airport is well-connected to many other airports across the globe. Whether you are from the west, north, or east, flights to Kigali International Airport are readily available. Upon reaching Kigali International Airport, you can easily connect to Volcanoes National Park by road. you drive through the rolling hills of Rwanda. In about 3 to 4 hours, you will have made it to Musanze where Volcanoes National Park is located.

What is the best time to trek the Susa Mountain gorilla family?

The Susa mountain gorilla family can be tracked any time of the year including weekends and public holidays. All you have to do is book your mountain gorilla trekking permit in advance at least 30 days before your arrival. This will help you dodge the last-minute inconveniences that may come with late booking.

Note: You don’t have to cancel your trip in case you find that Susa trekking permits are no more. Volcanoes National Park has many other amazing mountain gorilla families that can help you create a signature of memories on your Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking safari.

The dry months of June to September and December to February are usually the best time to trek the Susa Mountain gorilla family. This is the time when trekking trails are not slippery and the activity is less challenging.

Sándor Jakubinyi

14:31 22 Feb 24

2019 megigazulás

12:45 21 Feb 24

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09:38 08 Jan 24

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00:41 15 Nov 23

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18:01 27 Oct 23

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travel uganda

16:35 27 Oct 23

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