HABITUATED MOUNTAIN GORILLA FAMILIES IN RUSHAGA
Habituated Mountain Gorilla families in Rushaga – 5 Habituated Gorilla groups – 5hours Drive from Kigali – fly into Kigali trek Gorillas in Rushaga Sector – Affordable accommodation in Rushaga.
There are five (5) officially Fully Habituated Mountain Gorilla Families In Rushaga; that can trek in this southern sector of Bwindi Forest. These include; Nshongi, Mishaya, kahungye, Busingye, and Bweza Gorilla Group(s).
THE FIVE (05) HABITUATED GORILLA GROUPS OF RUSHAGA REGION
NSHONGI GORILLA FAMILY – GROUP
Nshongi gorilla group is named after the Nshongi river in Bwindi Forest where this gorilla group was first encountered by a team of local trekkers. Habituation of the Nshongi gorilla group started in 2007 and was officially opened For tourism on 26th September 2009 – with a total member count of 36 gorillas. However, the glory of being the largest Habituated gorilla group in Bwindi Forest was short-lived – in July 2010, the Nshongi gorilla family split into two (02) forming the present day Mishaya Gorilla Group. In 2013, Nshongi gorilla group further split to form Bweza Gorilla Group.
Nshongi gorilla group currently has 18 gorillas in the family – travellers can trek this gorilla group by flying in through Kigali, and driving just 5 hours from Kigali as opposed to flying Into Entebbe which requires you to drive a whopping 10 hours to get to Rushaga Gorilla trekking Region unless you opt to book a Gorilla fly – In from Entebbe – this cost EXTRA cash – why NOT fly into Kigali – Trek Gorillas in Uganda – Save yourself the hassle and some cash $$.
MISHAYA GORILLA FAMILY – GROUP
Mishaya gorilla group was formed out of the greater Nshongi Gorilla family in July 2010. The family then had just 7 members – the numbers grew as time went and as we write, Mishaya gorilla group has 12 Gorillas in the family led by silverback Mishaya.
Silverback Mishaya is determined to grow his family numbers this is evident with his unending attacks on even the wild – unhabituated mountain gorilla groups in the Rushaga Region.
BWEZA GORILLA FAMILY – GROUP
Bweza gorilla group is yet another one of those gorilla families that broke off from the larger Nshongi Gorilla group in 2013. The Bweza gorilla group presently has 12 members; 2 silverbacks, 4 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 01 sub-adult, and 02 infants.
Bweza gorilla group was officially opened for tourism In 2012. Travellers planning a Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest and want to visit the Bweza gorilla family can contact Realm Africa Safaris™ to book you a gorilla permit at USD600.
KAHUNGYE GORILLA FAMILY – GROUP
Kahungye gorilla group is named after a hill where the group was first sighted prior to the start of the habituation process which typically runs for 2+ years – regularly visiting a wild gorilla group to get it used to human visits before officially opening the group for tourism – Kahungye was officially opened for trekking In 2011.
The Kahungye Gorilla Family is led by Silverback Rumanzi and has 17 members; 03 silverbacks, 03 blackbacks, 03 adult females, 03 sub-adult, 03 juveniles and 02 infants.
BUSINGYE GORILLA FAMILY – GROUP
The Busingye gorilla group was formed as a split from the Kahungye gorilla group in August 2012. This split, however, is feared to be a temporary – unreliable split meaning the Group could reconcile – join back with Kahungye Gorilla Family – the reason all Busingye Gorilla permits are sold on ground at the Rushaga Office – however pre-planning, booking and paying is still a requirement for a successful gorilla safari trekking the Busingye Gorilla group.
Busingye Gorilla Family at this moment in time has nine (09) members that are under the leadership of Silverback Busingye.
With five (05) habituated Mountain gorilla families In Rushaga, this region is considered the best place to go gorilla trekking In Bwindi Forest. The other gorilla trekking Regions are equally interesting to visit on a Uganda gorilla Sagari but Rushaga Gorilla trekking Region stands out because Of the many Gorilla Families and her proximity to Kigali – Rwanda’s Capital meaning you can fly into Kigali and drive 5 hours to Trek gorillas in Rushaga – Bwindi Forest – gorilla permits in Rushaga – Uganda cost USD600 unlike Rwanda where they costa whooping USD1,500. If you are interested in A Full Day with the mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Forest, then for USD1,500 – Book a gorilla habituation permit. Gorilla habituation is an encounter with wild gorillas and is only done in Uganda – Rushaga Gorilla Region.
