Exploring the Gorilla Families of Virunga – An In-Depth Guide
Gorilla families of virunga history — Gorilla families of virunga map — Gorilla family classification — Gorilla family name — Gorilla family tree
Congo is one of the few places on Earth where you can encounter majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The renowned Virunga National Park hosts these remarkable apes, which share 95% of their DNA with humans.
It is said to be the most renowned park for trekking with Congo gorillas.
Expeditions to see gorillas in the heart of Congo
Mountain Gorilla in Virunga National Park, DRC Congo is home to eight habituated gorilla families, ready to be explored below.
Bageni Gorilla Group
The Bageni gorilla family resides in the captivating Bukima and Gatovu sections of Virunga National Park.
This is the biggest mountain gorilla family in Virunga, boasting 26 members.
This group is a fascinating offshoot of the Kabirizi gorilla family.
Bageni, the commanding silverback, ventured away from the Kabirizi family to forge his own troop.
Nyakamwe Gorilla Family
The Nyakamwe Gorilla Family came into existence when the powerful silverback Nyakamwe decided to part ways with his original family, Humba, to establish his own in 2014.
This group consists of 11 members and can be explored in the Bukima area of Virunga National Park.
The Munyaga Gorilla Family
The Munyaga gorilla family consists of just 7 members, with Gasore leading the group.
Even with just 7 members, this group attracts visitors eager to explore, especially since it boasts a rare pair of twins from Bilali.
The group takes its name from its previous leader Munyaga, followed by Mazawo, and then by Gasore.
The Lulengo Gorilla Family
The Lulengo Gorilla Family awaits exploration in the Jomba area of the park, close to the Uganda-Congo border.
The family consists of 9 members, led by the formidable silverback Lulengo.
The Lulengo gorilla family was initially known as the Musekura gorilla family, but the name was changed to honor a park director who tragically lost his life to a land mine.
The Mapuwa Gorilla Family
The Mapuwa gorilla family resides in Jomba, close to the border between Uganda and Congo.
The powerful silverback known as Mapuwa once led the group before the emergence of the current leader, Mvuyekure.
The group consists of 22 members.
The Rugendo Gorilla Family
The Rugendo gorilla family stands out as one of the most seasoned habituated gorilla families in Virunga National Park.
The group took its name from the formidable silverback Rugendo, who ruled during the habituation period, but now it is led by the impressive Bukima.
Rugendo guided the group of 18 members until his son, Humba, ventured off with 10 members to establish his own gorilla family.
Rugendo met his fate amidst the tumultuous confrontations between the Congolese army and Rwandan rebels.
The Humba Gorilla Family
The Humba gorilla family came into existence in 1998 when Humba clashed with his father, Rugendo, and took away 10 members to establish his own group.
Later, Nyakamwe ventured out from this group to embark on the journey of starting his own family.
Humba’s group can be explored within the Gatovu and Bikengi sectors of the park.
Kabirizi Gorilla Family
The Kabirizi gorilla family awaits your exploration from the Bukima section close to Goma.
The group took its name from Kabirizi, an ICNN director whose life was tragically cut short in a traffic accident.
This group initially thrived under the influence of Ndugutse, and it was known by that name before it transformed into Kabirizi.
Ndugutse faced a harrowing experience in 1997 when he was caught in the tumultuous crossfire between Rwandan rebels and the Congo government.
A solitary gorilla, Kabirizi, seized control of the group following Ndugutse’s demise.
