Uganda Gorilla Groups -Over 26 Families in Bwindi & Mgahinga

Discover a complete list of over 26 Uganda gorilla groups and families best for gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi & Mgahinga National Parks. Always imagined what a mountain gorilla looks like. Want to witness the actual mountain gorillas in their family or group? Explore the majestic gorilla group families in Uganda on our premium Africa safaris.

Discover a complete guide to witnessing the massive mountain gorillas in Uganda. Gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Lying in the heart of East Africa, Uganda is known not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also thrilling adventures. Uganda gorilla groups are distributed in the five regions: Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ntebeko, and Buhoma sector.

Each of these 5 regions features fully habituated gorilla families, which tourists on gorilla safaris come to explore. The gorilla families in Uganda can be tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Out of about 26 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, approximately 25 of them occupy the jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park –a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Pearl of Africa.

Here are some of the gorilla group families to know in Uganda.

Facts About Gorilla Groups in Uganda

Uganda gorilla groups make up a mini-society, and each consists of a silverback gorilla. The silverback gorilla is described as an alpha male or a mature male mountain gorilla, the one who takes charge of the entire group’s members. The adult females –the mothers and mates of the silverback gorilla. They are also responsible for nurturing the young ones.

In a single gorilla group, there are also blackback gorillas –the young males. A gorilla group can also comprise juveniles and infants. The infants are the young gorillas below 3 years old.

Uganda Gorilla Groups in Rushaga Sector

Rushaga sector in the Southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park holds up to about 10 habituated gorilla families. The Rushaga gorilla groups in Bwindi include;

Nshongi Gorilla Group: This gorilla group holds up to 25 individuals and is led by Nshongi silverback gorilla. It is the biggest gorilla group worth exploring during a gorilla trekking adventures in Uganda.

Busingye Gorilla Group: Comprises of 10 members and is led by Busingye silverback gorilla. The Busingye gorilla family was originally part of the Kahungye gorilla family.

Kahungye Gorilla Group: Consists of 18 individuals and is led by the Gwigi silverback gorilla. It is a large group with cohesive dynamics.

Bweza Gorilla Group: Takes its name from the Bweza silverback gorilla. It split from the Nshongi gorilla group, which comprised 32 mountain gorillas, it became fragmented.

Bikingi Gorilla Group –Formed after the downfall of the Mishaya gorilla, a once strong gorilla family under the leadership of Mishaya silverback gorilla.

Originally, Bikingi was designated for gorilla habituation experience, but was later opened for gorilla tourism. This follows its completion of the habituation cycle.

Rwigyi Gorilla Group –A newly introduced gorilla family in the Rushaga sector, which is open for gorilla trekking in Bwindi. It broke away from the Kahungye group under the leadership of Rwigi silverback. Today, it has a composition of 10 gorillas, which include infants, females, juveniles, and a silverback gorilla.

Mucunguzi Gorilla Group –Derives its name from Mucunguzi silverback gorilla and is open for gorilla trekking in Rushaga. Mucunguzi was the youngest member of the Bweza gorilla group, and he left with 12 gorillas.

Mishaya Gorilla Group – Mishaya is part of the Rushaga gorilla family. During the separation, the Mishaya gorilla group was led by the Mishaya silverback gorilla. Later, some of its members joined the Bikingi and Bweza gorilla families.

Kutu Gorilla Group –This is led by Ndugu silverback gorilla. It holds up to 20 individuals, including infants, juveniles, females, blackback gorilla, and a silverback gorilla.

Tindatine Gorilla Group –Tindatine is a fully habituated gorilla family and was officially opened for trekking in 2024. It is listed among the newly opened gorilla families for gorilla trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Gorilla Groups in the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi National Park

The Buhoma sector is set in the Northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The gorilla groups in the Buhoma region total up to about 7, and include;

Mubare Gorilla Group –This consists of 8 individuals and is led by Kanyonyi silverback gorilla. It is the oldest group to open for trekking in 1993. The group is calm and history it holds.

Habinyanja Group –Consists of 12 members and is led by Makara silverback gorilla. It is an amazing group worth exploring on gorilla safaris in Bwindi.

Rushegura Gorilla Group –This group comprises 17 individuals and is headed by Mwirima silverback gorilla. Most known for its friendliness and usually comes close to the park lodges.

Muyambi Gorilla Group, A group with six members led by Muyambi silverback gorilla. It is a newly habituated gorilla family in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi.

Binyindo Gorilla Group –A gorilla family with 9 members that falls under the leadership of Binyindo silverback gorilla. The name Binyindo is translated as big nostrils.

Katwe Gorilla Group –A habituated gorilla family located in Buhoma and has 7 individuals led by Katwe silverback gorilla.

Gorilla Trekking Groups in Ruhija Sector

The Ruhija sector is found in the Eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It has about 4 gorilla families and includes;

Bitukura Gorilla Group –This is led by Ndahura silverback gorilla, and has 13 individuals. The group completed the habituation cycle in 2008 and is now fully open for gorilla trekking.

Oruzogo Gorilla Group –A gorilla group with 12 individuals, and is under the leadership of Tibirikwata silverback gorilla. It was habituated in 2011, and the family is popular for its playful juveniles.

Kyaguriro Gorilla Group – A fully habituated family of mountain gorillas with 8 individuals and is led by Rukina silverback gorilla.

Mukiza –A newly formed group with 10 individuals and led by Mukiza silverback gorilla. This gorilla family was once part of the Kyaguriro gorilla family group and is popular for its distinct behavior.

Nkuringo Gorilla Group Families in Bwindi

Nkuringo sector is found in the Southern end of Bwindi and is an ideal location to explore mountain gorillas. The Nkuringo sector holds habituated gorilla families such as Nkuringo Group, Christmas, Bushaho, and Posho.

Nkuringo Gorilla Group –This is the first group to open for gorilla tourism in the Nkuringo region. It holds up to 14 individuals and is led by the Rwamutwe silverback gorilla. The Nkuringo gorilla family has black backs, sub-adults, females, and young gorillas.

Posho Gorilla Group –Nkuringo’s newly created gorilla family, and takes its name from the Posho silverback gorilla. It currently holds 18 members, consisting of adults, females, juveniles, and infants.

Bushaho Gorilla Group – Formerly designated for gorilla habituation, Bushaho is composed of 12 individuals. The group is found in the Nkuringo and its membership consists of juveniles, adult females, a black back, a sub-adult, and others.

Christmas –Christmas gorilla family ranges in the Nkuringo sector and has a composition of 8 individuals. Christmas has adult females, silverback, sub-adult females, and infants.

Nyakagezi Group – This is the only habituated group to be explored in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This has 9 members and consists of adult males & females, infants, and more.

When to Go for Gorilla Trekking

The best time to explore Uganda’s gorilla groups is during the dry season. The dry season extends from June to September, then from December to February. It is possible to arrange gorilla safaris to explore gorilla families in Bwindi or Mgahinga during the off-months of the year –March to May or from October to November.