Mgahinga’s Nyakagezi Gorilla Family

Mgahinga’s Nyakagezi Gorilla Familyis the only habituated troop of mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park that gives tourists a fantastic chance to track the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. There are nine members of the Nyakagezi family: four silverbacks, two babies, two adult females, and one juvenile. After his father, Bugingo, passed away, Mark, a strong silverback, is now in charge of their household.

Other members are the silverbacks Mathew and Mafia, the adult females Nyiramwiza and Nshuti, the juvenile Nkanda, and the infants Mutagamba and Rukundo. The oldest silverback, Bugingo, is thought to be older than 54 years old. The fact that Bugingo remains a member of the Nyakagezi family is a unique and fascinating truth about them. Usually, after the latent silverback is toppled, he is banished and either dies in isolation or seeks out other gorilla groups for safety. For instance, in the Mubare group, Ruhondeza left the group and lived alone until his death, when Kanyonyi assumed leadership.

What to know about Mgahinga’s Nyakagezi Gorilla Family

The famous slopes of the three Virunga volcanoes—Muhabura, Sabyinyo, and Gahinga—are home to this gorilla troop, which is located in southwest Uganda. There is a lot of food that attracts gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and that place is called Nyakagezi. The Nyakagezi family is among the easiest to track because it favours a small home range for resting, feeding, nesting, and pleasure.

In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the group is well-known for its gorilla trekking excursions. It is made up of nine (9) mountain gorillas, each of whom can be recognised by name. Baby Rukundo, Nvuyekure, Nshuti, Mutagamba, Bugingo, Mark, and Mathew are a few among them. Amazingly, Mark is reported to have succeeded in unseating Silverback “Bugingo,” the former leader of the Nyakagezi gorilla troop.

A remarkable phenomenon in gorilla existence, the 53-year-old Bugingo Silverback is still alive and well. Any silverback gorilla who is accidentally kicked out of the main group typically ends up living alone or completely deserting the family, as was the situation with the Mubare gorilla troop in the Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Tracking Mgahinga’s Nyakagezi Gorilla Family

The migratory patterns of the Nyakagezi gorilla group throughout Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were widely recognised. But as of right now, visitors may be sure to enjoy gorilla trekking at Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where this gorilla population has made their home.

This group is thought to be the easiest to track in Uganda because it is found in lower-altitude areas and prefers a small home range for nesting, relaxing, and feeding (because there is an abundance of food). However, it was known to be mobile and occasionally cross over to Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and Virunga National Park, DR Congo. Because it is the only gorilla group in Mgahinga, exhibits mobile behaviour, and its members—especially the family’s eldest silverback, “Bugingo,” and the reigning silverback—live in harmony, the Nyakagezi group is among the most fascinating gorilla groups in Uganda that are worth tracking.

The gorilla family has been residing in Mgahinga National Park since 2012, and there is a 95% possibility of seeing these magnificent primates there. Unlike in the past, when they were always moving, this gorilla group now has a permanent settlement, making it easier to track them. Now, a growing number of visitors are coming to the park in order to follow this fascinating group. Gorilla permits for the Nyakagezi group must be scheduled at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Park (UWA) headquarters in Ntebeko due to their erratic and mobile behaviour. It is crucial to confirm within a day to find out if the group is still in the park or has crossed into another country. Since it is the park’s sole group, only eight gorilla permits are sold by the Uganda Wildlife Authority each day for this park.

Experiencing the Nyakagezi gorilla group should revolve around the breathtaking three summits of the Virunga volcano, the gorge, and the stunning flora, rather than just mountain gorillas. Yes, you will enjoy going on a gorilla safari in the most exceptional, far-flung national park in Uganda. But just 8 (eight) gorilla permits—that is, only 8 people per trek—are available at all times for those wishing to track the Nyakagezi gorilla troop.

Along with tracking the Nyakagezi group, visitors can also enjoy birding, mountain hiking to Mt. Sabyinyo, Mt. Muhavura, and Mgahinga, the fascinating Batwa trail (which takes you through the life of the hunter-gatherers known as the “People of the Forest”), and tracking Golden Monkeys, as this is the only park in Uganda where Silver meets Gold.

How to get to Mgahinga gorilla National Park in Nyakagezi Group

To access Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you have two options of transport: either by road transport or by aircraft. A daily aircraft from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip would drop interested guests off at Kisoro Airstrip, from where they can take a road to the park to their reserved resort. The Nyakagezi gorilla family is located in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. By road, the Kampala-Mbarara-Kabale-Kisoro route allows you to quickly reach the park where gorilla trekking is conducted, about an 8–10-hour journey.

Where to stay in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

There is no need to worry because the park surroundings offer excellent lodging options. After a day of activity, one needs to unwind and recharge. Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mutanda Lake Resort, Mgahinga Gorilla Triangle Lodge, Travellers RestHotel, and Amajambere Iwacu Community are a few of the cosy housing options near the park that will enable you to experience the Nyakagezi gorilla family.

Conclusively, Mgahinga’s Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is the only habituated gorilla family that provides visitors to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park with an incredible and ultimate gorilla safari. While the group used to roam outside the boundaries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is now possible to follow the mountain gorillas in the group, providing them with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience being a member of the wild.