Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the best place to go gorilla tracking in Uganda. Located in south western Uganda, Bwindi is the ultimate place where to see mountain gorillas in Africa.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is the ultimate destination for mountain gorilla trekking in Africa. Bwindi forest is known to be a UNESCO World Site and it’s in South western Uganda that has half of the gorilla population that totals to 480 which is half of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world. The parks cover an area of 33km of the thick montane and the lowland rain forests.
Bwindi comprises 331 sq km of jungle forests and contains both montane and lowland forest, and is accessible only on foot. The park provides habitat for some 120 species of mammals, 346 species of birds, 202 species of butterflies, 163 species of trees, 100 species of ferns, 27 species of frogs, chameleons, geckos and many endangered species. In particular the area shares in the high levels of endemisms of the Albertine Rift. It has been designated as a World Heritage Site.
A magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley, this ancient rainforest-one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the last Ice Age-is home to roughly half of the worlds mountain gorillas. Looking profound into the expressive brown eyes of these gentle giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter that Africa has to offer-but we should not let it distract from Bwindis broader biodiversity, a result of its immense antiquity and an altitude span from 1, 160 to 2,607m.
The national park has 90 mammal species, including 11 primates, of which the black- and white colobus, with its exquisite flowing white trail, is prominent. The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda, wit 23 highly localized Albertine Rift endemics present.
The park has about 480 individual mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), almost half of all the mountain gorillas in the world. A 2006 census of the mountain gorilla population in the park showed that its numbers had increased from 320 individuals in 2002 to 340 individuals in 2006.
As well as gorillas, species in the park include the Common Chimpanzee, L’Hoest’s Monkey, African elephant, African Green Broadbill, and Cream-banded Swallowtail, black and white colobus, red-tailed monkeys, vervets, and the giant forest hog.
SPOT: Blue monkey, Black & White Colobus, Mountain Gorilla, Side striped Jackal, Zorilla, East African Civet, Sevraline Genet, Egyptian Mongoose, Slender Mongoose, Serval, African Golden cat, African elephant, Bush pig, Giant Forest Hog, Bushbuck, Black-fronted Duiker, Yellow-backed Duiker, Potto, Dwarf Galago, Thomas’ Galago, Olive baboon, Red-Tailed Monkey, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Chimpanzee, Rusty Spotted Genet, African palm civet, Marsh Mongoose, Banded Mongoose, Aardvark, Tree Pangolin, Eastern needle-clawed Galago (not confirmed), Peter’s Duiker (not confirmed), White-bellied Duiker (not confirmed), Blue Duiker (not confirmed), Leopard (extinct in park), African Buffalo (extinct in park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is one of the richest ecosystems in Africa, and the diversity of species is a feature of the park.
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Gorilla tracking is a process of searching for the unique forest giant primates and spend a full hour with them in observation and photography. But usually the time for the search depends on where the gorillas spent a night before the trek and its said to be between 2-8 hours that seen hectic to some travelers. However, life has been made easy to all gorilla trekking tourists to Uganda as they are given a chance to chose a gorilla family of their interest on the day of tracking.
It doesn’t matter which sector you book your gorilla permit in but be sure to be given your favorite on the tracking day provided it’s in the sector of your booked gorilla permit. No more worry about the trekking duration since those who love hiking so much will be given gorilla families that move fast and others will definitely track the nearby gorilla family. Make sure you book your gorilla permits early and get tracking space in your favorite park sector. Remember Bwindi impenetrable national park has four Sectors all with different gorilla families, briefing points and accommodation. They include, Rushija, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Rushaga.
Where to Go Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Forest
In total Bwindi national park has 23 gorilla families that have been habituated for gorilla tracking with one for research purposes all living in the four sectors as bellow.
Buhoma sector
If you want to track gorillas in Buhoma sector of Bwindi National park, the sector has three habituated gorilla families that is Mubare group-which was named after Mubare hills of Bwindi forest where it was discovered, Rushegura the largest group in the sector and Habiyanja which split from Rushegura. This is the best sector for those interested in forest walks, wildlife, community retreats,batwa trail, bird watching and much more,
Ruhija Sector
Those looking at tracking gorillas in Ruhija sector book gorilla families like Bitukura, name after a river where it was first seen Oruzogo a huge family of 23 members headed by tikabikata a beautiful giant silver back and Kyaguriro that is under the leadership of Rukina who took over leadership from Zeus who died in the forest on Easter Monday on April 6th, 2015.Get a chance to hit hit the forest trek in the morning to meet up with the giant sliver back and other gorillas. Another great gorilla tracking sector, nice for bird watching, Lake Bunyonyi exploration as well as Community excursions.
Rushaga Sector
This is the most populated gorilla sector of Bwindi national park and the only one for gorilla tracking and habituation. Gorilla families here include Kahungye named after a hill where they rest most of the time and it has 14 members headed by Gwigi a giant silverback that clears the way for others as per its name suggestion meaning doors.Busingye that split from Kahungye with 13 members lead by Busingye a silver back gorilla that is said to be peaceful just like its name meaning. Bweza is another Gorilla family in the sector headed by a silver back called bweza,Mishaya and Nshongi are the other habituated gorilla families to track in Rushaga.
Nkuringo Sector
The most physical challenging though rewarding sector of Bwindi national park has one gorilla family Nkuringo a mountain gorilla family that lives in challenging park locations. The name of the family means around hills so if you chose this sector you should be ready to hike. The family has 19 members with two silverbacks, Muhoozi and Katungi.
Habituated Gorilla Families in Bwindi Forest
Uganda has 24 habituated gorilla families and these include the Rushegura, Habinyanja, Mubare, Nkuringo, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mishaya, Nshogi, the new groups Busingye and Bweza, in Bwindi Forest and one in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Nyakagezi group. There is also the kyaguriro group in Ruhija in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which is for research only.
In the Buhoma area of Bwindi;
Mubare group
This is commonly known as the m-group, which is the oldest habituated group as it is the very first group to be habituated for tracking. The habituation started in 1991 and this group received its first visitors in 1993. The Mubare group was named after the stunning mubare hills where it was discovered. It started with 12 group members led by a dominant silver buck, Ruhandeza and then later increased to 18 members which engaged in a family conflict and then lost some of its members including Ruhandeza, leaving the group with 9 members containing 1 silver buck namely
Habinyanja group
The habinyanja group was habituated for tracking in 1997 and it received its first tourists in 1999 in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This was a huge group but later decreased when part of it split away and formed a family known as the Rushegura group. These two groups criss-cross each other now and again and co-exist peacefully. The name habinyanja was derived from Nyanja meaning water body, a swamp in Bwindi where the group was first seen. The group has 17 members including 2 silver bucks, where the adult females are led by a shrewd alpha female known as the Kisho.
Rushegura group
This group was habituated for tracking in 2000 and it received tourists in 2002. It is a huge group in Buhoma with 12 members including 1 silver buck. The Rushegura group split from the Habinyanja group and these 2 groups co-exist peacefully when they cross each other. The name Rushegura was derived from Ebishegura, a tree species that was abundant in the home area.
In the Ruhija region of Bwindi.
Bitukura group
This is among the newest groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and was habituated in 2007 with originally 24 members which split later on. It is found and roams in the forest within the Ruhija area with currently 14 members including 4 silver bucks. The Bitukura group was named after a river where they were first sighted.
Oruzogo group
This group is one of the recent families opened for visitors in Windy, situated in Ruhija and led by a dominant silver buck, Tibirikwata. The group was opened for tourism in 2011 and is one of the more popular families due to the 2 energetic juveniles and toddlers in the group. It is combined of 15 members including 2 silver bucks.
In the Rushaga region of Bwindi.
Nshogi group
This was the biggest habituated gorilla family in Uganda launched in September 2009, with over 36 members at the time. After habituation, at the opening of the group for visitors, the group separated and 10 members left to form the new groups of Mishaya and Bweza reducing the group to 26 where other members also decided to disintegrate leaving the group with a total of 18 members. The respected and historical group was named after river Nshogi, close to where the group was first seen hence the male silver buck took over the Nshogi name, maintaining the dominancy.
Mishaya group
The Mishaya Gorilla family group is a breakaway group that was originally apart of Nshogi Gorilla Family Group and it is believed to have been a family dispute that caused the split. The group has about seven Gorilla members including 2 silver bucks presently with Mishaya, the well known gorilla fighter as the dominant silver buck.
Kahungye group
This group was habituated for tracking in 2011 with 13 members including 3 silver bucks which are the only named, Rumansi, the dominant silver buck, Rwigi and Ruhamuka. In less than a year, the group split creating the new group known as the Busingye group.
Bweza group
The Bweza Gorilla Family group is also a breakaway group that was apart of the famous Nshogi gorilla family group. It decided to split and be independent due to the many feuds in the Nshogi group by the end of 2013. The group was introduced for tracking in the Rushaga area of Bwindi in 2014 and has over 7 members including 2 silver bucks.
Busingye group
The Busingye gorilla family gorilla group broke away from the Kahungye gorilla group in august 2012. It comprises of 9 members including 3 infants, 2 adults, other youths and adult teens which still reside in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In the Nkurigo region.
Nkuringo group
The Nkuringo group was launched in 2004 and comprises of 19 members including 2 silver bucks, Safari and Rafiki. It was named after the Rukiga word for round hill and was led by Nkuringo who died in 2008, leaving the group with 2 silver bucks. It later expanded after the birth of the twins, katungi and muhozi though unfortunately, katungi died. The group is also one of the friendliest with babies at most times reach out to touch the visitors.
Kyaguriro group
This group is not visited, and it is reserved for research and other studies like knowing the difference between the different gorillas in Uganda.