Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park was gazetted as a National Park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994. Bwindi is 331 square kilometers and is located in South Western Uganda, on the edge of the western rift valley, shared by Kabale, Rukungiri and Kisoro Districts. It lies on an altitude range of 2607m (Rwamunyonyi peak)-1160m (Ishasha gorge).

Annual Temperature ranges from 7-20 degrees Celsius. Usually it’s cold during June- July rains heavily in March-April and September-November. The local people in this area are mainly Bakiga and Bafumbira representing the most impenetrable settlements in Uganda, (233 people/ square kilometers).

Sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National:

Buhoma Sector

In the verdant depths of Buhoma Sector in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where the lush greenery whispers tales of ancient mysteries, dwell several remarkable families of mountain gorillas, each with its own captivating history and unique character.

The Habinyanja Gorilla Family, with 17 members including a silverback, was first spotted near a swamp called Nyanja in Bwindi. They got used to people visiting them in 1999. Before, there were many strong silverbacks fighting to lead, so the group split, forming the Rushegura Family. Now, a wise female named Makara leads them. It takes 3 to 8 hours to find them, so staying in Buhoma is a good idea.

The Mubare Gorilla Family, with 9 members and a silverback, is the oldest habituated group in Uganda. They live in the Mubare hills and got used to people in 1998. Originally led by Ruhondeza, fights with other gorillas caused them to lose members. In 2013, they gained new members, including the new leader, Kanyonyi. Their permits are popular because they’re close to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Rushegura Gorilla Family has 17 members, led by a silverback named Kabukojo. They formed in 2002 when a silverback left the Habinyanja group. They’re named after a common tree in the area. They’re close to Buhoma village, making them easy to find, but sometimes they wander.

The Katwe Gorilla Family, with 7 members including a silverback, was opened for trekking in 2018. Their presence means there are more permits available in Buhoma.

The Muyambi Gorilla Family is the newest, starting in 2019. Led by Muyambi, who split from the Mubare group, they gained a new member in May 2020.

Ruhija Sector

The Bitukura Gorilla Family has 13 members led by Ndahura. They were first spotted near a river and became used to humans in about 15 months. Some members left along the way. They often hang around Ruhija tourism station.

The Oruzogo Gorilla Family, with 17 members led by Bakwate, began welcoming visitors in 2011. They are named after a plant they like to eat. Trekking to see them isn’t too hard, but it requires some endurance.

The Kyaguliro Gorilla Family, led by Rukara, has 10 members. They were studied for research starting in 1995. After their main leader died, the group split in 2016 into Kyaguliro A and Kyaguliro B, led by Rukara and Mukiza, respectively. They mostly stay in the inner forest.

The Mukiza Gorilla Family, led by Mukiza, also has 10 members. Originally part of Kyaguliro, they split after their leader, Rukina, was killed by lightning in 2015. Mukiza took over, but there was conflict with Rukara from Bitukura group.

Nkuringo Sector

The Nkuringo Gorilla Family has 11 members led by Rwamutwe, a blackback gorilla. They were first found in Nkuringo, which means “round hill” in the Rukiga language. They were habituated in 1997 in Bwindi, led by a silverback named Nkuringo. When he passed away in 2004, Safari took over, then Rafiki. Sadly, Rafiki was killed by poachers in June 2020 during the lockdown. Rwamutwe became the new leader a month later. The group sometimes goes into local gardens for food, which made people move farther away to avoid conflicts. The community benefits from tourism, which helps protect the gorillas.

The Bushaho Gorilla Family, with 8 members, is led by Bahati, the silverback. They split from Nkuringo in 2012 and formed their own group. They spend most of their time in Bushaho.

Rushaga Sector

The Nshongi Gorilla Family is a group of 10 gorillas living in the Bwindi forest. They have one big male, three adult females, one teen, two young ones, and three babies. They were first seen in 2009 near the Nshongi River and people can visit them since then.

Mishaya Gorilla Family has 12 members, with one male in charge. Mishaya started this group in 2010, but sadly, he passed away in 2014.

The Bikingi Gorilla Family has 15 gorillas, including a leader male, five adult females, and lots of babies. They were trained to be around people in 2012.

Bweza Gorilla Family is made up of 12 gorillas, with two leader males. They split from Nshongi and started their own family in 2012.

Kahungye Gorilla Family has 17 members, with three big males leading. They were discovered in 2011 and named after the hill they were found on.

Busingye Gorilla Family is a group of 9 gorillas, led by a male named Busingye. They separated from Kahungye in 2012 because of fights.

The Kutu Family Gorilla Family has 8 members, including one leader male. They are new and still learning to be around people.

Mucunguzi Gorilla Family has 8 gorillas, led by Mucunguzi. They are newly trained to be around people.

Rwigi Gorilla Family is made up of 10 gorillas, led by a male named Rwigi. They are new to being around people too.