Gorilla Groups/ Families in Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda)

Gorilla Groups/ Families in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park is the only park in Rwanda where mountain gorilla trekking is conducted each day. It comprises of 10 habituated groups where the usual treks are done and they include;

Susa group (The Susa A group)

This is a group that Dian Fossey carried out her research prior her mysterious death in 1985. It consisted of over 41 mountain gorillas at a time which made it the largest group with members however, due to fights and splitting, it reduced to 28 gorillas including 3 silverbacks. Remarkably, poppy also originated from this troop. He was born in 1976 making him the oldest in the park. This gorilla family is also famous as one of those most challenging troops to track and ideal for adventure enthusiasts. It was named after River Susa that runs through it. The Susa group is also famous for its twin gorillas of Byishimo and Impano.

Amahoro family

If you are looking for the peaceful families to track in Volcanoes National Park then Amahoro family is the best choice. It consists of 18 gorillas including 2 silverbacks. The group mainly thrives around the Karisimbi Mountain slopes and hiking through it require some physical fitness but it rewards visitors with amazing adventures. Amahoro group is led by Ubumwe silverback.

Karisimbi family

This is a splitter group from the Susa A group which established itself around 2008. It is known as the Susa B family and comprises of 16 gorillas including 3 silverbacks.  It mainly lies around the Karisimbi Volcano (4507 meters) and you have to be physically well if you are to track this troop while on safari in Volcanoes National Park.

Sabyinyo family

This group is headed by the massive and strongest Guhonda silverback. In 2014, it had only 8 members compared to today where there are 13 in number including 2 silverbacks and 3 adult females and others are mainly juveniles. This troop is located at the base of Sabyinyo Volcano and Mount Gahinga. It can be visited easily.

Umubano group

This group denotes togetherness. It is a splitter group from Amahoro family. It detached itself at the time of Ubumwe the dominant silverback. Currently, it has 13 gorillas including 2 silverbacks and it is led by Charles.

Kwitonda gorilla family

This is known to have migrated from DR Congo and its members at times live further thus requiring some physical wellness among trekkers. It also means the humble one and it is led by a main silverback, consisting of 23 gorillas including the 4 silverbacks and they usually roam around Muhabura Volcano foothills.

Agashya group

This is best known as special group as its name suggest and visitors on gorilla trekking at this park can have special moments with its members. Formerly, it had 13 individuals at a time of habituation which gave it a name ‘Group 13.’ However, currently, its made of 27 gorillas including 1 silverback that succeeded Nyakarima. The word Agasha also denotes news and this group thrives mainly at the base of Sabyinyo and Gahinga volcano. Tracking this troop demands medium effort.

Bwenge group

This denotes wisdom and it is a group with 11 individuals. It can be trekked around the Karisoke Mountain slopes. It opened for tourism in 2007 and led by Bwenge. This family lost about six individuals and this impacted a lot on its development as a group although these days, there has been some stability.

Hirwa gorilla family

Hirwa group came into existence in 2006 and its name denotes lucky one. It split from Agashya and the Sabyinyo troop. It consists of 16 gorillas and recently welcomed twin gorillas. For some of you who would like to trek through this group, you can combine with adventures at the base of the Gahinga Volcanoes and Sabyinyo.

Ugenda group

This means mobile given its behavior of moving from one place to another.  The troop consists of 11 individuals and it is roams around the Bisoke Mountain.  Tracking this family may not require a lot of energy like it is a case with the Susa groups.

Lastly, each group features distinct traits and history which reward you with unique experiences. To have the most enjoyable and memorable adventure, track at least one or two groups and compare the experiences.