Mubare gorilla family is the pioneer of all the habituated gorilla families in Bwindi forest national park, the family was habituated in 1993 in Buhoma tracking sector. Its habituation started in 1991 and after 2 years 1993 the family was ready and open for tourism. By then mubare gorilla group was sighted along mubare hills by Uganda wild life rangers. Mubare gorilla family had 12 members however the family suffered a tragedy when it lost some of its members due to fights with other wild gorillas and death of their members, the number reduced up to five gorilla members. on a brighter side Mubare group has so far received two more baby gorillas from mother kalungi and Businza respectively. The family is led by silver back kanyonyi who succeeded silver back Ruhondeza who abandoned the family and died in 2013. Other family members include kashundwe, malaika, muyambi and now the two infants welcomed in the family, the family’s number has increased to 7 gorilla members.
Interestingly Buhoma sector has other habituated Gorilla families, these include;
Habinyaja gorilla family which was habituated in 1997 by then it was first sighted near a swamp and that’s where it got its name Habinyanja. At that time, it was led by silver back mugurusi who later passed on due to old age and the two black backs mwirima and Rwansiganzi stayed within the group and shared dominance and power, later on they also separated peacefully each making their own family, the group that followed Rwansiganzi maintained the name Habinyaja while mugurusi took on Rushegura name. currently Habinyaja is composed of 15 members inclusive of 1 silver back,4 black backs,3 adult females,1 sub adult,4 juveniles and 2 infants.
Rushegura gorilla family broke away from the larger Habinyaja family after the death of mugurusi the silver back. This family was habituated together with the former in 1997, however Rushegura officially opened in 2002 because the break up took place in 2000. It is of now comprised of 1 silver back,3 black backs,6 adult females and 4 infants and led by silver back mwirima who dominates the whole family.
Katwe group is the newly habituated gorilla family in Buhoma sector, this family was announced by the Uganda wild life authority upon successfully being habituated in 2018. The family is led by silver back katwe and is composed of 8 members, 1 silver back,1 black back,2 adult females,4 sub adult females and 1 infant.
In total, Buhoma tracking sector has 4 habituated gorilla families as stated above.
Mubare gorilla family is said to be the easiest gorilla family to track never the less the other gorilla families too are interesting, they offer the same satisfaction and experience while trekking to find them in their natural setting. Book your gorilla permits through Uganda wildlife authority or through us at a cost of 600 usd per person if in case interested to track gorillas in Buhoma sector as they are only limited to only 8 people per day per habituated gorilla family. Alternatively you can also track mountain gorillas in the other sectors of Bwindi which include, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. However, with effect 1st July the gorilla permit will be increased by 100 usd to 700 usd.
Besides, gorilla tracking, the are other alternative activities and attractions. These include birding , forest walks, community visits, cultural encounters and much more. Buhoma can easily be accessed through kihihi by road from Kampala at a distance of 5 hours drive, or local charter flights to kayonza or Savannah airstrip. Buhoma can also be accessed through queen Elizabeth national park through ishasha sector giving a chance to tourist to spot the famous tree climbing lions.
Buhoma is the most thought of sector because of its accessibility and luxurious lodges, the lodges rage from high end,mid-range and budget to accommodate every need. They all offer excellent service by professional chefs and waitresses to managers. some of these lodges include, Buhoma lodge, mahogany springs ,Volcanoes lodge among others.
In conclusion, Buhoma tracking sector being the pioneer of all the sectors, it offers the best gorilla safaris in Bwindi forest impenetrable national park for non other than its good improved and luxurious accommodation facilities and accessibility.
