There are at least 6 habituated gorilla families living in the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Buhoma is found in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The site is among the most frequented for gorilla trekking tours, where visitors track and watch a habituated gorilla family. Planning a gorilla trek in Buhoma Sector offers unforgettable encounters with any of the following gorilla families,

Mubare

This fascinating gorilla group is legendary, because it is the oldest to be habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Originally, the silverback Ruhondeza was the groups’ leader, but now Maraya is the dominant silverback. The latter achieved this status after killing the then dominant silverback known as Kanyonyi. Before this Maraya was a solo gorilla for some time before he violently confronted and eventually killed a weaker Kanyonyi.

During Maraya’s takeover, a number of members migrated away from the Mubare Gorilla Group. Infanticides also occurred. But this was a behavior also observed during Ruhondeza’s tenure. Currently, the Mubare Gorilla Family has 7 members, including 1 silverback, 3 adult females, 1 juvenile and 2 infant gorillas. This structure creates a balanced unit that blends the authority of Maraya, the care of adult females and playfulness of infants.

Rushegura

The Rushegura Gorilla Family is a fascinating habituated gorilla family that lives in the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This has one of the biggest families of all the habituated gorilla families in Buhoma Sector. It is made up of 16 members, including 2 silverbacks, 5 adult females, 2 blackbacks, 3 sub-adult female and 4 infants. Kabukojo is currently the dominant silverback, offering leadership and guidance to all the members.

There is rich history regarding the Rushegura Gorilla Family. In 2002, the Rushegura Gorilla Group formed after splitting from the Habinyanja Gorilla Group. The split from Habinyanja family occurred near a tree species known locally as ‘ebishegura.’ This inspired the name of the gorilla family. Also, the family prefers foraging close to the Buhoma headquarters thus presenting less difficulty when it comes to tracking them. Also, the Rushegura Gorilla Family forages in the crop gardens adjacent to the forest.

Habinyanja

This is another captivating habituated gorilla family living in the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi and known for its long history. Habinyanja Gorilla Family first underwent habituation in 1996. Prior, the Habinyanja Gorilla Group was first seen near a swamp in Buhoma sector. Therefore, its name is got from ‘Nyanja’ which expresses a ‘place with water.’ However, in 2002, a split occurred causing the formation of the Rushegura Gorilla Family.

Currently, the Habinyanja Gorilla Group is under the leadership of the dominant silverback, Makara. In total the family has 13 members, including 2 silverbacks, 4 adult females, 4 blackbacks, 2 sub-adult males, and 1 infant. There is another fascinating insight about the Habinyanja Gorilla Family that has been studied. This group can range in parts of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park quite far away from their originally known home range.

Katwe

This is a captivating habituated gorilla family thriving in the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Katwe group got its name from a hilltop, which is the very site where their habituation journey began. Mahaane, a dominant silverback effectively leads the Katwe Gorilla Family. Right now, the Katwe Gorilla Family is composed of 8 individual gorillas. In Katwe, you will find 2 silverbacks, 3 adult females, 1 blackback and 2 infant gorillas.

A brief fascinating history about the Katwe Gorilla Family shows how this family emerged through resilience and leadership. The remarkable journey started immediately after the death of Mubare group’s leader, Kanyonyi. This caused the disintegration of the members to unknown areas of the forest. However, some of the members joined the Katwe Gorilla Group, which marked the beginning of their habituation process.

Muyambi

This is another extraordinary habituated gorilla family living in the lush Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The dominant silverback of the Muyambi Gorilla Family is also named Muyambi. As a leader, he embodies the strength and leadership that defines the family’s identity. Muyambi himself led to the formation of the family after causing them to split from the Mubare Gorilla Family in 2019.

During this separation, Muyambi took with him 4 adult females, establishing the foundation of what is now the Muyambi Gorilla Family. At the moment the Muyambi Gorilla Family has expanded to 7 members. The group is made up of 1 silverback, 4 adult females and 2 playful infant gorillas. Together they have formed a closely bonded family whose interactions reveal strength, nurturing care and dynamics of primate lifestyle.

Binyindo

The Binyindo Gorilla Family also lives in the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi and guided by the dominant silverback Binyindo himself. It took 3 years for researchers and the park staff to monitor the family before it was safe for gorilla trekking. Binyindo is now among the latest habituated families to be officially added for trekking tours in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This has enriched Uganda’s wildlife tourism and conservation experiences.

In the Binyindo Gorilla Family, there are 9 members comprising a single silverback, 5 adult females, 2 juveniles and only 1 infant. One of the most exciting sights of the Binyindo Gorilla Group is the leader, Binyindo. The origin of his name is the local phrase for the distinct nasal features in his face. This has made him very recognizable and celebrated by visitors and the park staff.