Gorilla Families in Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to a number of mountain gorilla families that have been habituated for tourism and research. These families are regularly monitored by park rangers and trackers, allowing for a structured and awe-inspiring gorilla trekking experience. The park currently has over a dozen habituated families available for daily visits, with their composition and location within the park changing over time.

Here are some of the most well-known and frequently visited gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park:

Susa A (Susa)

This is one of the most famous and largest gorilla families, once studied by Dian Fossey. It is named after the Susa River. The group is known for its large size, which can be over 40 gorillas. The trek to see this family can be quite long and challenging due to their frequent movement into higher altitudes, but the reward is immense.

Kwitonda

Named after its dominant silverback, “Kwitonda,” which means “humble one,” this family is a larger group that migrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The group is known for its size and can be found at higher elevations in the park, requiring a longer and more strenuous hike.

Amahoro

“Amahoro” means “peaceful” in Kinyarwanda, and this family lives up to its name. The group is known for its gentle nature, and the trek to find them is often considered to be less strenuous than some of the other families.

Umubano

Named “Umubano,” meaning “live together” or “co-existence,” this group split from the Amahoro family. The dominant silverback, Charles, and his family are known for their calm demeanor, making for a very peaceful and rewarding trekking experience.

Agasha

The “Agasha” group, formerly known as the “Group 13” family, is named after its dominant silverback. This group is also one of the larger ones in the park and is known for its dynamic movements. The trekking to find this group can also be challenging and requires a good level of fitness.

Hirwa

The “Hirwa” family, meaning “lucky one,” is a relatively new group that was formed from other families. They are known for their playful behavior and can be a very active family to observe.

Titus

Named after a silverback gorilla that was born during the time of Dian Fossey’s research, this family is known for its large size and active behavior. The trekking can be challenging as they often move to find new feeding grounds.

It is important to note that the park authorities, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), assign gorilla families to visitors on the morning of the trek. The assignment is based on the fitness level of the visitors to ensure everyone has the best possible experience. The number of habituated families can also change as new groups are formed or as groups merge.