Silverback Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Silverback Gorillas are the mature male gorillas that tend to become distinct from the rest with their white haired backs and are usually head of a gorilla group. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most visited national parks in East Africa particularly Uganda. The rich eco-system that runs through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has made it a home for various species of animals which has heavily increased the tourism activities in Uganda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home for the famous mountain gorillas about half the population in the world which have made the national park often visited by tourists to view these endangered gorillas.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the south western part of Uganda near the border of Democratic Republic of Congo on the edge of the Albertine Rift next to Virunga National Park. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famously known for mountain gorilla trekking because Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the two sites in the world that you will find the endangered mountain gorillas. The other site is the Virunga Massif that encompasses the other three national parks with the mountain gorillas that is; Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 400 mountain gorillas and about 19 habituated groups. All the 19 groups will keep within the park giving u a pleasant holiday as u watch the natural lifestyle of these primates deep in the forests. Some of the groups of mountain gorillas to trek include; Busingye, Nshonji, Bweza, kyaguriro, Nkuringo, Kahungye, Rushengura, Mubare, Habinyanja, Mishaya, Oruzogo.
Additionally, a family or group plus its members are usually protected and guided by one Silverback who is in charge of most of the activities of the group such as being in charge of leadership power, guiding them to the food destinations and resting places.
The list of Silverback gorillas and their groups
In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you will find the following Silverback gorillas with their families in the national park as you carry out mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Kyaguriro group- silverback Rukara: Kyaguriro group has over 15 members and these members are protected and guided a Silverback known as Rukina. In the past, the family has had about two Silverback Gorillas, that is Rukina who died of old age and Zeus who was banished by Rukina in the forest and later also died.
- Nkuringo group- two silverbacks gorillas Rafiki and Safari: Nkuringo group has recorded a great number of silverbacks that have led the group over time. One recorded silverback was Silverback Alpha; named after the word “Nkuringo” passed away leaving the group with two trained silverbacks that is Rafiki and Safari. The group has over 19 members and they are led by these two silverback Gorillas.
- Mishaya group- silverback Mwine: The group at the moment is led by silverback Mwine but before Mwine, Mishaya group was led by Mishaya at the time of habituation but later died.
- Nshongi group-silverback Nshongi: Living in the Ruyija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the Nshongi group has over 26 members led by one silverback known as Nshongi. When you trek in the Ruyija sector you get across this group in Bwindi Impenetrable Park.
- Kahungye Group- two silverbacks Gwigi and Busingye: Kahungye group has a great number of gorillas in the group equaling to 27 members. The family is located in the Rushaga sector and it is headed by two silverback gorillas that is to say Gwingi and Busingye who has been leading this group for a pretty good time.
- Oruzongo group- silverback Tebirikwata: Oruzongo group has over 25 members and it is led by a silverback known as Tebirikwata which is one of the oldest gorillas in Oruzongo group.
- Mubare Group-silverback Kanyonyi: One of the groups you will find in the Buhoma sector is the Mubare group of mountain gorillas. The family is now led by silverback Kanyonyi and before Kanyonyi, silverback Ruhndenza was the leader of the group but later died of old age paving way for Kanyonyi.
- Rushegura group- silverback Mwirima: Rushegura group is found in the Buhoma sector and has a capacity of 19 members. These members are led by one silverback known as Mwirima who is a brother to former silverback known as Rwansigazi
- Habinyanja group- silverback Makara: When silverback Rwansigazi; a brother to Mwirima, gave up the power of protecting and guiding the Habinyanja group, a new dominant silverback emerged and is known as Makara who is now leading the Habinyanja group.
- Bitukura Group- silverback Ndahura: At the point of habituation, the Bitukura group of mountain gorillas was led by silverback Karumazi and later gave up power and no longer led because of his old age. Silverback Ndahura inherited and took over power from Karumazi and is now the leader. If you want to trek the Bitukura group, you will find it in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Best time to visit mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The best time to visit the gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is during the months of December to February and June to October. This is because during these months the rain is less and more of a dry season though the gorilla permits are available every day.
Accommodation
Like any national park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is blessed with a great number of accommodation places ranging from luxury or upmarket, midrange to basic or budget hotels and lodges in the region. Travelers always have a choice to make based on their preferences. Some of these lodges, camps, and hotels include the following;
- Gorilla Forest Camp: Gorilla Forest Camp is located in Buhoma Sector about 500 meters from the park entrance. The camp offers breakfast and lunch which are served from an open area of the camp. Travelers engaging in gorilla trekking always opt for this camp because of its distance from the starting point. In this place, travelers get to watch different bird species and chartering monkeys from the forests that regularly pass through via the ground.
- Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge: Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge is a high-end accommodation facility that is located in the remote Nkuringo area in the south east of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. at the lodge, travelers can have a spectacular view of the mountains in the Virunga Massif and the tropical rain forest of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Clouds Mount Gorilla Lodge offers restaurant and bar, lounge, adequate parking space, reading area plus some amenities like a spacious sitting room, overstuffed armchairs, and washrooms with showers among others.
- Mahogany Springs Camp: One of the luxury accommodation facilities near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park we have Mahogany Springs Camp that features expanse panoramic terrace overlooking the river and the forest, a restaurant, and bar plus a double sided fireplace. Some of the amenities at the lodge include excellent room service, private terrace, and spacious rooms.
- Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge is an upmarket accommodation facility that consists of naturally built cottages in the Ruhija area. Amenities in Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge include toilet and shower bedrooms, hot water bottles, storage cabins, and parking space among others.
- In addition, other places to try out in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Volcanoes Safaris Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Travelers Motel Butogota, Buhoma Community Bandas and Campsite, Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite, and Buhoma Homestead among others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, about 20 silverback gorillas have been recorded with in the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and these include the leading and former leaders of the different mountain gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
