Gorilla trekking in Uganda is usually done by allocating visitors specific gorilla families in Bwindi, to visit. This is now done on ground on the day of trekking by park wardens and rangers.
These gorilla families in Bwindi have been habituated to get used to interactions with humans, and they are grouped according to the four gorilla tracking sections of the park. So, below is a list of the habituated gorilla groups and where they are located.
Buhoma Section of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
The Mubare group, also called the M-Group, was the very first group to be habituated for tracking by tourists. Habituation of this group started in 1991 and this group received its very first tracking visitors in 1993. Mubare group is actually named after the stunning Mubare Hills in which this group was discovered.
Habinyanja Group was habituated in 1997 for tracking and received tourists in 1999. In the beginning it was a huge group, however a family was split from it and it was named the ‘Rushegura Group’. These two groups crisscross each other every now and again and co-exist peacefully.
The Rushegura Group was habituated in 2000 for tracking. It received its first tourists in 2002, and it has since became the largest group within the Buhoma section of Bwindi forest.
Gorilla Trekking Families in Ruhija Section of Bwindi
Bitukura group is among of the newest groups in Bwindi forest, and it roams the verdant forest within the Ruhija section. There is a restricted lodging in this area, although those available offer both moderate and high-class services.
Rushaga region of Bwindi
The Nshongi group was the biggest habituated gorilla family in Bwindi, with 25 members, at the opening of the group. 10 of its members left to form another family called the Mishaya group.
Following a family dispute, the Mishaya gorilla family split from the then biggest Nshongi gorilla group in Bwindi. However, the two still live within the Rushaga region in the southern part of Bwindi forest.
Gorilla Trekking Families in Nkuringo Region
The Nkuringo group can be tracked within the Nkuringo section of Bwindi. The group comprises of 19 members and is a favorite to people who would like to track more than one group, because of its size.
Nkuringo section is among the most physically challenging hikes in Uganda, although undoubtedly worthwhile and more rewarding for gorilla tracking in Uganda. The accommodation facilities found at Nkuringo offer breathtaking views and are worth the cost of the gorilla permits.