Rwanda Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park are one of the most Visited Gorilla family groups in Africa, the park testifies to over 10 Gorilla groups, all accessible for the gorilla trek experience in Rwanda. The Volcanoes National Park is home to more than 380 Rwanda Mountain Gorillas, with the park forming the biggest part of the virunga mountain ranges pointing to the Congo area. All in all, the virunga mountain ranges totaling up a to number to over 500 mountain gorilla, with the biggest population residing in Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla parks.
Rwanda Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park
- Usually found high up on Mount Karisimbi, which are relatively more challenging to hike.
- Studied by Dian Fossey. Group is known for having rare twins named Impano and Byishimo.
- Susa (A) gorilla family is the Largest with about 41 individuals, including 3 silverbacks.
- Family ranges in the high mountains making it difficult to trek, but rewards you with its size on sighting it.
- Split from the original Susa (A) group and has 2 silverbacks. Hardest to trek, living on the upper slopes of Mt Karisimbi. Requires a full day to hike.
- Has 17 gorilla members led by Ubumwe. Furthest from the park headquarters.
- Amahoro means peaceful. They resides uphill and tourists have to climb a steep
- Found between Karisoke and the Visoke peaks of the Volcanoes.
- Led by Guhonda, and named after one of the volcanoes called Mt Sabyinyo.
- Found between Mt. Sabinyo and Gahinga. It has about 12 individuals, with a couple of silverbacks in the group.
- Closest to the park headquarters and is good for short distance trackers.
- Arose from different existing gorilla families including Group 13, Susa and Sabyinyo.
- Has 11 members including a pair of twins
- Munyinya the dominant silverback left Susa group with 2 females, got others along the way and in due course formed a group
Agashya gorilla family
- Found close to the Sabinyo group.
- Previously known as “Group Thirteen which had 13 members during habituation.
- Has about 25 gorillas including two silverbacks.
- Led by silverback Agashya which explains the name change.
- Headed by silverback Kwitonda and the name is interpreted as the humble one.
- Has 18 members and was habituated in the DRC. They crossed the border into Rwanda in 2005, and are now open for visitation.
- Most challenging to trek as it’s in the upper slopes of Mt Muhabura.
- Led by silverback Charles who broke off from Amahoro gorilla group with some females to form Umubano. Umubano is translated as living together.
- Group inhabits mainly the slopes between Karisimbi and Bisoke mountains.
- Formed by silverback Bwenge after breaking away with females from other groups.
- Bwenge is interpreted to mean wisdom.
- Has 11 members who are always on the move to new places. Quite difficult to trace and track.
- Roams around Karisimbi area.
- Name means on the move.
- Named after silverback Titus which was born during the days of Dian Fossey’ research at Karisoke.
