Gorilla Families and National Parks
National Parks
The Mountain Gorilla live in four national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In Uganda there are 18 habituated gorilla families which can be trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
In Rwanda the 12 habituated gorilla families can be tracked in the Parc National des Volcans (PNV) where the famous Primatologist Dian Fossey conducted her ground-breaking research.
Virunga National Park in the DRC also has a number of habituated gorilla families but Volcanoes Safaris does not currently take clients there.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda
17 of the 18 habituated gorilla families live in the thick tropical forest of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Bwindi’s steep hillsides make tracking more challenging than Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and PNV in Rwanda. Trekking the mountain gorillas in Bwindi can take 3-10 hours after leaving the Park headquarters.
4 of Bwindi’s Gorilla families (Mubare, Habinyanja, Katwe, Rushegura) are accessed from Buhoma sector in the north, for guests staying at Volcanoes Safaris’ Bwindi Lodge. 4 other families (Mukiza, Kyaguriro, Oruzogo, Bitukura) are accessed from the Ruhija sector of the forest which is approximately 2 hours drive from Bwindi Lodge.
3 gorilla families (Nkuringo, Bushaho, Christmas) are located in Nkuringo sector of Southern Bwindi which is approximately 2 hours drive for guests staying at Mount Gahinga Lodge. 8 gorilla families (Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Busingye, Bweza, Bikyingi, Kutu) are located in Rushaga sector of Southern Bwindi which is approximately 2.5 hours from Mount Gahinga Lodge.
Mgahinga National Park in Uganda
The Nyakagezi Family: 11 members, including 3 silverbacks.
Although this group gained a reputation for being nomadic (crossing the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC) they have been resident in Uganda for nearly 5 years. They are the oldest habituated mountain gorilla group in Uganda.
Parc National des Volcanoes in Rwanda
Located in the northern part of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park spans an area of 160 square
kilometre and is part of the Virunga volcano conservation region. This region includes Virunga National Park in Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Initially established to safeguard mountain gorillas from poaching and extinction, the park offers a diverse ecosystem, hosting monkeys, a wide array of bird species, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, promising an unforgettable Rwanda safari experience.