Gorilla families in Rwanda
Gorilla families in Rwanda are found in Volcanoes national park and the park is part of the Virunga Mountain ranges spreading all the way to Democratic Republic of Congo and the other half of the gorillas live in Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Maghinga national park. The park has 10 habituated gorilla groups with a total of 380 mountain gorillas led by a dominant silverback leader. The common word used when visiting gorillas is gorilla trekking, this involves hiking through dense forests in search for the beautiful endangered mountain gorillas. During gorilla tours, allocation of gorilla families depends on preferences, accommodation and a tourist’s fitness. Gorilla groups in Rwanda move to different locations each day searching for food as they build new nests for the night.
In Rwanda, 8 people visit a gorilla group in a day implying that 80 permits are available to book a particular day with 1 hour exclusively to learn the ways and behaviours of the extraordinary mt gorillas.
Cost of permits in Rwanda.
The cost of gorilla permits for foreign non residents is $1500, foreign residents $500, East Africans and Rwanda nationals is $200 and Africans from the rest of Africa is $500 per person.
Gorilla family:
The article highlights the 10 different habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
Susa gorilla family:
This is the original Susa group of gorillas being the oldest and largest mt gorilla family before it split into 2. It is led by a dominant silverback with 29 members and 3 other silverbacks. Its name derives from Susa River being that one particular group that Dian Fossey studied. It gained more popularity when it bore twins Impano and Byishimo.
Sabyinyo gorilla family:
Sabyinyo gorilla family is found in Volcanoes National Park and led by a dominant silverback. It was named after mt “Sabyinyo” meaning the old man’s teeth. This gorilla family is characterised by 9 members and known for its giant silver back Guhonda being the largest in the park. It is one of the closest groups normally found at the edges of the park. Sabyinyo gorilla family inhabits the slopes of mt Sabyinyo and mt Gahinga and stays between these 2 Virunga volcano mountains.
Karisimbi gorilla family:
Karisimbi gorilla family was found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda with 15 members and 3 silverbacks. This is also called the Susa B because it is the group that split from the original Susa family. The group wanders around the slopes of Karisimbi Volcano.
Amahoro gorilla family:
This gorilla family comprises of 17 members with 1 silverback being one of the most peaceful gorilla families like its name Amahoro. The family is led by a silver back called Ubumwe one of the peaceful, extraordinary with gentle character. Getting to the family is difficult since the hike is too long but trekkers make it since the group inhabits the slopes of mt Bisoke.
Kwitonda gorilla family:
Kwitonda means humble one and this gorilla family was named after their humble dominant silverback. It is characterised by 18 members and 2 silverbacks and is one of the most difficult groups to track since it resides on the lower slopes of Mt Muhavura.
Hirwa gorilla family:
Hirwa means ‘lucky one’ and the gorilla family was formed after merging some members from Sabyinyo family and others from group 13. This gorilla family has 12 members and 1 silverback with twins that inhabit the slopes of mt Sabyinyo. The family came into existence when Manyinga, the dominant silverback got trouble with the Susa family for always mating with the females in the family.
Agashya gorilla family:
Agashya implies ‘news’ with a group of 25 members of 2 silverbacks, 12 females, 7 babies and 3 juveniles. The group was previously named group 13 but Agashya won the challenge from its silverback by then claiming leadership of the group. The group inhabits the slopes of mt Sabyinyo one of the greatest pieces of the great Virunga volcanoes.
Ugyenda gorilla family:
The gorilla family is comprised of 11 members and 2 silverbacks. The name Ugyenda means ‘departure’ inspired by the frequent movements of the family from one place to another. The family inhabits the region of mt Bisoke with difficulties of getting to the group when tracking.
Bwenge gorilla family:
This gorilla family is characterised by 11 gorillas and 2 silverbacks. Their name was inspired by the frequent movements from one place to another. The gorilla family resides in the areas of Karisimbi region of Volcanoes National Park and there are limitless challenges during the hike.
Umubano gorilla family:
This gorilla family contains 11 individuals, 6 youngsters and lives in an area near the Amahoro family. This is the most visited gorilla group by tourists because of the less effort required to reach the group with a very unique personality of the group.