Updated List of Rwanda Gorilla Families –Best for Gorilla Trekking

Explore our updated list of Rwanda gorilla families or groups that are currently open for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. The endangered mountain gorilla, one of the biggest Primates in the World, is a jaw-dropping and endangered species living in the African jungles. With their dwindling numbers, these majestic Giant Apes have become rare, with Rwanda being one of the three countries in the world that shelters them and makes efforts for their survival and thriving.

Home to roughly 350 mountain gorillas roaming the bamboo forests of Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda—the land of a thousand hills—claims the world’s second largest population of these majestic primates. If you’ve ever dreamed of a close encounter with these extraordinary apes in their natural habitat, a gorilla safari in Rwanda should top your bucket list. Now that you’ve chosen this country for your trekking adventure, it’s important to know which gorilla families you’ll be tracking.

It is essential to note that over 40 Rwanda Gorilla Families exist, but only 12 are fully habituated for trekking; the rest are either undergoing habituation or reserved for research. Continue reading for details on gorilla families available for tracking, including their opening dates, composition, and other key facts.

Updated List of Rwanda Gorilla Families

Susa Gorilla Family

The Susa gorup is among the numerous Rwanda gorilla families and is Led by silverback Impuzamahanga, following the disappearance of silverback Kurira on 20th May 2020, this gorilla family is usually referred to as the “original Susa”. This long-established and popular family was founded in 1974 with 7 members, and its membership grew to 41 individuals by 2009.

However, in 2009, a huge disagreement happened, and this led to the split and formation of Karisimbi and Igisha gorilla families. The original Susa family remained with 16 members, while the Karisimbi gorilla family later went on to split, hence the formation of the Isimbi Gorilla family.

Aside it being once the largest gorilla family, the Susa Gorilla Family is popular for having the first set of surviving twin gorilla births in the history of mountain gorillas. The first set was welcomed in 2004 (Impano and Byishimo), and the second set was welcomed in 2011 (Umudende and Impeta, although the latter later passed on four years later.

Susa Gorilla Family now has 15 members that include 3 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, 1 sub-adult male, 2 blackbacks, 2 juveniles, and 3 infants.

Igisha Gorilla Family

Igisha Gorilla Family was formed when members from its original family (Susa), led by its dominant silverback Igisha, left on 30th November 2014. The Family was later named after him, and he is still the leader at the time of writing (August 2025). There were 23 members at the time of formation, and today, the group is made up of 36 members (including 6 silverbacks, 10 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, 1 sub-adult male, 2 blackbacks,  6 juveniles, and 10 infants), hence making it the largest habituated gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.

Karisimbi Gorilla Family

Also known as “Susa B Gorilla Family”, this family has been in existence since 28th June 2009, after Nyagakangaga, then a subordinate silverback in Susa family took 13 members and went on to form his own family. Susa B later came to be known as “Karisimbi Gorilla Family” in 2010 at the annual Gorilla naming ceremony known as “Kwita Izina” because its members are frequently spotted foraging within and around Mount Karisimbi slopes.

However, 10th April 2012 became a historical day in this family as it split, leading to the formation of the Isimbi Gorilla Family. The Karisimbi gorilla family is known for crossing to the neighboring Virunga National Park (in the Democratic Republic of Congo). This 10-member family has 6 silverbacks, 1 adult female, 1 sub-adult female, 1 blackback, and 1 juvenile.

Sabyinyo Gorilla Family

Originally known as “Amavubi” (wasps) at the time of habituation, due to the aggressive nature of its members that gave the habituation team a difficult time, its name was later changed to “Sabyinyo” after the mountain where its members were first spotted.

The inception of this gorilla family started after the passing of silverback Murithi of Group 13. This prompted Guhonda, a lone silverback, to grab its 3 members and several others from Group 11 (Bwenge). It is from these members that he established his own family, but one of the adult females (Gukunda) left the family with her infant, and have since January 2020 been out of daily monitoring.

Silverback Guhonda was popular for being the largest silverback in Volcanoes National Park, weighing up to 300 kg at some point. Guhonda left the family in 2020, and currently, the leadership of the silverback gorilla family is under Silverback Gihishamwotsi. There are 15 members- 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult male, 3 blackbacks, 3 juveniles, and 3 infants.

Amahoro Gorilla family

Habituation of this gorilla family took place between March 1996 and 1997, then was opened for tracking in 2000. Originally led by silverback Amahoro, who died on 4th May 2002 aged 31 years, the family is currently under the leadership of Silverback Gahinga. However, Gahinga didn’t take over leadership immediately after the passing of Amahoro because, after this tragic death, the two subordinate silverbacks, Charles and Ubumwe, couldn’t approve of any of them becoming the leader.

This led to the split of the Amahoro gorilla family, hence leading to the formation of the Umubano gorilla family under the leadership of Charles, while Ubumwe became the leader of the original Amahoro family. After the disappearance of Silverback Ubumwe in June 2015, the leadership of the family was left under Gahinga. There are currently 22 members- 4 silverbacks, 7 adult females, 4 sub-adult females, 3 juveniles, and 4 infants.

Agashya Gorilla Grouo – Rwanda gorilla families

Also referred to as “Group 13” (because of the number of individuals at the time of habituation), Agashya Gorilla Family now has 25 members (1 silverback, 12 adult females, 3 blackbacks, 3 juveniles, and 7 infants). It is one of the amazing Rwanda gorilla families to visit for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

The name “Agashya” means “news” in the local Kinyarwanda dialect, and the gorilla family lives on the lower slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, one of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes. The leader of the Agashya Gorilla family is silverback Nyakairima, who took over from Silverback Agashya, who was known for frequently taking the family to higher slopes to avoid interference/conflicts from other silverbacks.

However, Silverback Agashya was also known for taking gorillas from other families to expand his own family and taking advantage of his location to outsmart them.

Kwitonda Gorilla Family

Originally part of Virunga National Park, the Kwitonda Gorilla family, whose members were habituated in 1995, moved to neighboring Volcanoes National Park in 2003. This was to escape pressure from other gorilla families, but it has since settled permanently and is tracked by visitors during Rwanda gorilla safaris.

It is believed that Kwitonda was a solitary silverback who later joined Rugabo gorilla family (in Virunga National Park), and after the passing of silverback Rugabo, Kwitonda took some members to form his own family. He later migrated to Rwanda with his members and established a permanent home between Sabyinyo and Gahinga Volcanoes.

Silverback Kwitonda passed in 2012 from old age, hence leaving the subordinate silverbacks Kigoma and Akarevuro in a leadership struggle. Eventually, the latter became the ultimate winner, hence taking over leadership of the family. There are currently 3 silverbacks (including Akarevuro, the leader), 2 sub-adult males, 4 adult females, 2 sub-adult females, 2 blackbacks, 2 juveniles, and 2 infants.

Umubano Gorilla Family

Originally part of the Amahoro Family, Umubano was formed in 2001 when silverback Charles left with some members without violence. Even after the formation of this family, the two groups would meet, interact, and forage for several days, then go their separate ways. Still under the leadership of Charles, there are 11 members- 5 silverbacks, 2 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, 1 blackback, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant.

Hirwa Gorilla Group -Rwanda gorilla families

Tracking of this Gorilla family began in July 2006 and it is also in the same year that it got its name. It is led by Silverback Uburanga, who became the head after the passing of Silverback Munyinya. Munyinya was the original leader, but he was tragically struck by lightning in 2020.

Silverback Munyinya was known for grabbing members from neighboring families such as Kwitonda, Sabyinyo, and Agashya. This family is also known for exhibiting its strength, status, and respect from other families, as well as having the second-ever-surviving set of twins- Isango Gato and Isango Gakuru (after the Susa family). There are presently 17 members in this family, and these include 1 silverback, 7 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, 2 sub-adult males, 2 blackbacks, and 4 infants.

Bwenge Gorilla Family

Formed in 2007 after silverback Bwenge leaving with several females, this family roams around the lower slopes of the Mountains Karisimbi and Bisoke. Bwenge was one of the gorilla families whose members appeared in the “Gorillas in the Mist” film, portraying the life and journey of Dian Fossey.

This Gorilla Family has gone through tragedies in the past, including the death of 6 of its infants, and after the death of the dominant silverback (Bwenge), the Alpha female Maggie took over leadership for a while. Later, a lone silverback (Turatsinze) from Pablo Gorilla Family took over leadership, and currently, there are 11 members.

Ugenda Gorilla Family (Rwanda Gorilla Families)

Comprising 11 members, including 2 silverbacks, and likely to be found in the Mount Karisimbi area, Ugenda is another unmissable Rwanda Gorilla Family.

This gorilla family is known for not settling in one place and always being on the move, hence its name “Ugenda”. It is for this reason that tracking them is a bit time-consuming and physically draining.

Muhoza Gorilla Family

Formed on 3rd December 2016 with only 7 members, Muhoza Gorilla Family is another extraordinary Rwanda Gorilla Family. Silverback Marambo grabbed two adult females from the Hirwa gorilla family and was joined by another female from the Agashya family in March 2020. There are currently 22 members in Muhoza Gorilla Family, and these include 1 silverback, 7 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, 1 juvenile, and 7 infants.