Meet the 20 Habituated Gorilla Families of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Meet the 20 Habituated Gorilla Families of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is one of the best places in the world to see mountain gorillas in the wild. Home to nearly half of the global population, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers gorilla trekking experiences across four distinct sectors. As of 2025, Bwindi has 20 habituated gorilla families, each with a unique history, structure, and behavior.
These families are spread across Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo—and each sector offers a different type of trekking experience.
What Is a Habituated Gorilla Family?
Habituation is a slow and respectful process where wild gorillas get used to the presence of humans. It can take 2 to 3 years, and the goal is to ensure the gorillas feel safe during daily human visits. Once a group is fully habituated, it becomes available for tourism under Uganda Wildlife Authority guidelines.
Each habituated gorilla family has a dominant silverback, juveniles, females, and other males. Trekkers are allowed one hour with them once they’re located in the forest.
Gorilla Families by Sector
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Buhoma Sector (Northern Bwindi)
This was the first sector opened for trekking in Bwindi and remains a popular gateway, especially for those flying into Kihihi Airstrip.
Gorilla Families in Buhoma:
- Mubare: The oldest habituated group in Uganda (since 1993). It’s small and usually located near the park entrance.
- Habinyanja: A large group named after a swamp. Known for its lively members.
- Rushegura: A peaceful family that often stays near lodges. Good for short treks.
- Katwe: A newer, growing family with regular sightings.
Total in Buhoma: 4 families
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Ruhija Sector (Eastern Bwindi)
This high-altitude sector offers breathtaking views and fewer crowds. It’s also a top spot for birdwatchers.
Gorilla Families in Ruhija:
- Bitukura: Habituated in just 15 months—unusually fast. Known for its stable leadership.
- Oruzogo: Lively and large. Often recommended for first-time trekkers.
- Kyaguliro A (Mukiza): Used for research before being opened to tourism.
- Kyaguliro B (Rukara): A splinter group that still holds importance for conservation monitoring.
Total in Ruhija: 4 families
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Rushaga Sector (Southern Bwindi)
Rushaga is the most populated sector in terms of gorilla families. It also offers the unique Gorilla Habituation Experience, allowing up to four hours with semi-habituated gorillas.
Gorilla Families in Rushaga:
- Nshongi: Once the largest habituated group. Named after a river where it was first sighted.
- Mishaya: Formed when the silverback Mishaya broke off from Nshongi.
- Bweza: Another splinter group from Nshongi. Often easier to track.
- Busingye: Known for its strong, assertive silverback.
- Kahungye: Originally large, but later split.
- Rwigi: Formed from a division in Kahungye. Newer and relatively stable.
- Mucunguzi: Its name means “Savior” in Luganda. Has an interesting backstory of a lone male forming a new group.
- Bikingi: A semi-habituated group used for the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
- Posho: One of the most recent groups being habituated (listed under UWA’s 2025 records).
Total in Rushaga: 9 families
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Nkuringo Sector (Southwest Bwindi)
Nkuringo is scenic but challenging due to its steep terrain. Treks here require more stamina but reward you with unmatched forest views.
Gorilla Families in Nkuringo:
- Nkuringo: First family habituated in this sector. Known for long treks but high rewards.
- Christmas: Named after its silverback, born on Christmas Day. Known for its tight-knit group.
- Bushaho: Formed from dispersing members of Nkuringo. Often moves between sectors.
Total in Nkuringo: 3 families
Complete Gorilla Family Summary
| Sector | Gorilla Families | Number |
| Buhoma | Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Katwe | 4 |
| Ruhija | Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguliro A (Mukiza), Kyaguliro B (Rukara) | 4 |
| Rushaga | Nshongi, Mishaya, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, Bikingi, Posho | 9 |
| Nkuringo | Nkuringo, Christmas, Bushaho | 3 |
Total: 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi (2025)
Tips for Choosing a Sector
- First-time trekker? → Try Buhoma or Rushaga
- Birding & scenery lover? → Go for Ruhija
- Physically fit & want adventure? → Choose Nkuringo
- Want more gorilla time (4 hours)? → Book Gorilla Habituation in Rushaga
Plan Your Safari
Knowing the different gorilla families helps you choose the best trekking sector for your fitness level, travel route, and interests. Whether you want a short hike to see a calm family or an intense trek into the mountains for an immersive experience, Bwindi delivers it all.
Make sure to book your gorilla permit early—each group allows only 8 visitors per day.
