GORILLA TRACKING IN UGANDA

In terms of attractions, Gorilla Tracking is the single most popular activity for tourists.  Of the less 

In terms of attractions, Gorilla Tracking is the single most popular activity for tourists.  Of the less than 900 Mountain Gorillas that remain in the wild in the world, over half are in Uganda.  Most travelers that seek out wildlife encounters, consider the Gorilla Tracking as the best experience possible.  In Uganda there are two National Parks that have Gorilla Tracking available; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park.  These two parks offer different experiences, as the ground cover and vegetation, as well as the topography are very different.  In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest one encounters a very dense rainforest environment.  In Mgahinga, which is part of the Virunga Volcanoes that spread from Uganda, through Rwanda into the Democratic Republic of Congo, the bamboo forest at the base of these mountains is favoured by the Gorillas. 

Tracking Gorillas is a little more complicated than Game Drives in search of the more traditional wildlife in East Africa.  With Gorilla Tracking, one must apply in advance for a daily permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.  You will be assigned to track a specific family of Gorillas and after a brief orientation, the Park Rangers will lead you through the specific part of the forest where your assigned family are.  Because the Gorillas rebuild their nests every night in a new location, it can take some time to meet up with them; anywhere from 2 to 8 hours is normal.  When you have met up with the Gorilla group, you are permitted to spend up to an hour with them.  There are some restrictions, besides the time, such as keeping at least 7 meters distance between yourself and the Gorillas.  Even such issues as sneezing and coughing are explained in the orientation; loud noises have to be avoided and the risk of infection is a huge concern.  Each Gorilla family is allowed a maximum of 8 onlookers at a time.

Gorillas share 98.3% of the human genetic code, and as such, they are totally susceptible to human infections.  Even flus are a serious concern as the Gorillas do not have the immunities to such infections, and are at risk.  These habituated groups of Gorillas in Uganda are spectacular to watch and photograph. A habituated group is one that carries on with their regular daily tasks and behavior even when being watched by humans; their comfort level with humans around is good, as long as they are not startled or scared by quick movements and/or loud noises.

There is a list below of the different Silverbacks and their families as of June 2016.  The Silverbacks are the mature males in the group; their back hairs turn silvery with age.

STATUS OF MOUNTAIN GORILLA FAMILIES IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST AND MGAHINGA NATIONAL PARKS

The Ugandan Wildlife Authority regularly monitor and update their information on the 14 Gorilla Families; as of March 2016, the following details have been summarized by Gorilla Family name:

RUSHEGURA

The Rushegura Gorilla family has 13 members; the current leader is a Silverback by the name of Kabukojo, whose younger brother, Kalembezi helps him co-lead the family.  The most recent birth in this family occurred on July 28th, 2015.

MUBARE

The Mubare Gorilla family has 11 members, the current leader is a Silverback by the name of Kanyenyi.  In the last four years, Kanyenyi has had 5 forced marriages with females from other families and sired several offspring; rejuvenating the Mubare family from a dwindling 3 members to the current 11.  The most recent birth in this family occurred on May 24, 2015.

HABINYANJA

The Habinyanja Gorilla family has 17 members; the current leader is a Silverback by the name of Makara.  Of interest is that this family has a stubborn prodigal member, Maraya, who left the family in 2011, but often comes back to cause chaos in the family; then moves back to solitary life.  The most recent birth in this family occurred in January 2016.

BITUKURA

The Bitukura Gorilla family has 15 members; the current leader is a Silverback by the name of Ndahura.  This family has 4 silverbacks peacefully co-existing, including the retired leader, Karamuzi. The most recent birth in this family occurred in October 2015.

ORUZOGO

The Oruzogo Gorilla family has 17 members; the current leader is a Silverback by the name of Bakwate.  There is another Silverback in the family, Kagaanga, but he is submissive to Bakwate.  The most recent birth in this family occurred in November 2014.

KYAGULIRO

The Kyaguliro Gorilla family has 20 members; the current leadership is a young Silverback by the name of Mukiza, but his authority is being contested by an immigrant Silverback, Rukara, from the Bitukura family.  Mukiza abruptly took over the family leadership following the sudden death of his predecessor, Rukina in April 2015.  The immigrant Silverback, Rukara is currently commanding a section of the family members, but still closely pulling ropes with Mukiza.  The most recent birth occurred on February 5th, 2016.

NSHONGI

The Nshongi Gorilla family has 7 members; the current leader is a Silverback by the name of Bweza.  The initial Nshongi family had several Silverbacks, who ended up toughly contesting for power, resulting in the split of the family into 2.  At the same time several male family members dispersed.  The most recent birth occurred in October 2015.

BWEZA

The Bweza Gorilla family has 12 members, a splinter group of the original Nshongi family.  The current leader is a Silverback named Kakono. The most recent birth occurred in September 2015.

KAHUNGYE

The Kahungye Gorilla family has 18 members; the leader of the family is a Silverback by the name of Rumanzi.  There are also two submissive Silverbacks in this family, Rwigyi, the oldest and Ruzika, the youngest.  The most recent birth in this family occurred in July 2014.

BUSINGYE

The Busingye Gorilla family has 9 members; the leader of the family, following his successful split from the Kahungye family with other members in March of 2012, is a Silverback named Busingye.  The most recent birth in this family occurred on July 27, 2015.

BIKINGI

The Bikingi Gorilla family has 17 members, the leader is a Silverback that has been dominant since the onset of the group's habituation.  This new group offers a 4-hour tourism experience.  The most recent birth in this family occurred on July 29th, 2015.

NKURINGO

The Nkuringo Gorilla family has 12 members; the leader is a Silverback by the named Rafiki. This family has two Silverbacks, the second in command is named Kirungi.  The most recent birth in this family occurred on April 25, 2015.

BUSHAHO

The Bushaho Gorilla family has 10 members; the Silverback that is the leader has been dominant since the onset of habituation.  .This group is also available for a 4-hour habituation tourism experience.  The most recent birth in this family occurred in October 2015.

NYAKAGEZI

The Nyakagezi Gorilla family has 10 members; the leader is a Silverback by the name of Mark.  This group has the highest number of Silverbacks in a single family, five; there are 2 adult females and 3 young members.  The last birth recorded in this family was on October 19, 2013, but the infant died two weeks later.