Full list of Gorilla Families / Groups in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Gorilla Families in Rwanda: Rwanda is one of the best countries to visit for a gorilla trekking experience; it’s one of the countries located in the famous Virunga massif, besides Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo. Rwanda boasts 10 habituated gorilla groups; this group can be looked at below:
8 people are allowed to track each of the Gorilla Families in Rwanda Two of the Rwandan mountain gorilla families are reserved for study purposes, while others are for tourism purposes. The gorilla groups that can only be accessed by scientists and researchers are Pablo’s, Shiva’s and Beetsme families and are the largest groups of all the other groups. Below are habituated gorilla groups:
Bwenge group
The word Bwenge is derived from a local word to mean wisdom, this group comprises of 11 members and one silverback. This group is found on mount Bisoke; it’s said that it’s dominant Bwenge, after whom the group is named, experienced dark times when six of its infants died during the early formation of the group.
Susa group
This is the most fascinating group of the Gorilla Families in Rwanda and also the largest in Volcanoes National Park; the group contains two twins known as Impano and Byishimo, born to Nyabintondore. This group had an internal conflict in 2008 and 15 split from 42 with two silverbacks. This was also the first group where Dian Fossey, the famous primatologist, did her study on mountain gorillas. This group is the most preferred by tourists and also one of the hardest to track. They live at the base of mount Karisimbi. The name Susa was derived from the River Susa, which runs through the Susa family home. The Susa group also boasts the oldest gorilla, born in 1976 known as poppy.
Agashya group
The Agashya group was the first group to be habituated and comprises 27 members with 1 silverback, this group moves alongside the Sabinyo group, the name Agashya means “News”, the group was initially started by 13 individuals led by a silverback known as Nyakarima, who was overthrown by a dominant gorilla known as Agashya, from whom the name of the group is derived. Agashya is said to be very commanding and protective; he always commands his group to move uphill whenever he senses danger from the foothills.
Hirwa group
This group mostly stays within the foothills of mount Sabinyo and Mount Gahinga; it also comprises 2 twins born in 2011, the group comprises 16 members and 1 silverback. The name Hirwa is derived from a local word meaning “Lucky one.” It was formed by members of group 13 and the Sabinyo group. The Hirwa group was habituated in 2006.
Karisimbi group
This group was split from the Susa group and comprises 16 members, with 2 Silverbacks found in mount Karisimbi and the hardest to trek, as the gorillas reside on the upper mountain slopes of the 4,507 meters mountain. The group is also sometimes known as Susa B. This group was formed in 2008.
Ugenda group
The Ugenda group comprises 11 members, including 2 silverbacks; the group derives its name from the word meaning “Mobile”. This group inhabits mount Bisoke; this group never settles in one place and is always on the move
Kwitonda group
The name Kwitonda is derived from a local word meaning “Humble one.” it contains 23 members, including 4 silverbacks, the name was taken from the dominant silverback of the group called Kwitonda. They inhabit the mountain slopes of mount Muhabura. The Kwitonda group formerly lived in Congo and later migrated to Rwanda. Kwitonda was renowned for his humble character.
Sabinyo group
This group contains the largest silverback in Volcanoes National Park, known as Guhonda; it comprises 13 members and 2 silverbacks. This group roams about mount Sabinyo and Gahinga; the group was led by a famous silverback that was from group 13. This group is also one of the easiest to trek.
Umubano group
The word Umubano means “ Live together.” this was formed by members of the Amahoro family named after one of its silverbacks, Charles, who broke off to form his own group they contain of 13 members with 2 silverbacks. It’s said that Charles broke off due to endless battles he had with Ubumwe.
Amahoro group
The word Amahoro means “Peaceful” this group comprises 18 members, including 2 silverbacks; they are the most peaceful and live on the mountain slopes of mount Bisoke. The group is a bit hard to trek, as the mountain slopes of Bisoke are strenuous.
Titus group
The group derived its name from a gorilla known as Titus. This has a dark history, as his whole family was murdered during the time of Dian Fossey’s research study, leaving him as the only one who survived the poachers, the Titus group can be trekked in mount Bisoke and Karisimbi slopes.
The maximum time for watching and observing gorillas is strictly one hour; tourists can lodge in any of the hotels at Volcanoes National Park, such as Gorillas next lodge, Mountain View Gorilla Lodge, Hotel Muhabura and many more. Gorilla trekking can also be done in Uganda and Congo within the Virunga massif.
Some of the mountain groups are hard to trek and therefore located by rangers a day before tourists can trek.
