Karisimbi Gorilla Family is one of the many mountain gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes National Park is known for being the only place in Rwanda where mountain gorillas live. The park is mainly covered by forests, most of which are tropical, while some are montane. It is also highly mountainous and has 5 distinct peaks out of the 8 volcanoes that form the Virunga ranges.
The concentration of Virunga volcanoes is highest in Rwanda compared to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each mountain slope has fertile volcanic soil, where forests have grown for many years, providing a home for the mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are endangered species, and Rwanda has put great effort into securing their preservation and conservation. Volcanoes National Park got its name because of its many mountains, and the Karisimbi Gorilla Family is part of the Virunga mountain gorilla ecosystem.
Family Name’s Origin
Among the Virunga mountains is Karisimbi volcano, and it is on its slopes that this family has lived since it was first sighted. It is no surprise that the family was named “Karisimbi.”
Family Leadership
Like every gorilla family, Karisimbi is led by a silverback called Nyagakangaga.
History
At first, most members of the Karisimbi family were part of the large Susa Gorilla Group. This group reduced in size after a major split in 2009. Before the split, Susa Gorilla Group had about 42 members. After the split, about 26 members remained, while others either joined new families or formed a new group led by the rebel silverback.
Nyagakangaga left with 13 individuals and settled on the slopes of Karisimbi volcano. Because of their origin, the family was first called the Susa B Gorilla Family, but later, because of their new location, it was named Karisimbi Gorilla Family around 2010.
Family Members
Shortly after the split, the Karisimbi family grew to 15 members, but some individuals later left to join other families. Today, the family has 11 members, including 4 silverbacks, 1 adult female, 2 infants, and 1 blackback.
Trekking the Family
Karisimbi Gorilla Family is one of the hardest families to trek because of its location. The family chose to live near the caldera on Karisimbi volcano, which makes the hike quite tough. Sometimes, the family moves even higher up the volcano, making the hike harder for some trekkers.
The good news is that these challenges are made easier because each trekking group is assigned a trained ranger, whose tracking skills help visitors locate the family more easily.
Cost of Trekking This Family
To trek mountain gorillas in Rwanda, every trekker must have a gorilla permit. This is also required for trekking the Karisimbi family. A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1,500 per person. Travelers are advised to book permits early because there is high demand, especially during the tourism peak seasons.
High demand could force tourists to trek during less comfortable seasons if they book late.
Best Time to Trek Karisimbi Family
The best time to trek is during the dry seasons. The first dry season runs from June to September, and the second from December to February.
What to Carry
Do not forget to bring a backpack, hiking boots, a camera, insect repellent, comfortable hiking clothes, a water bottle, a hat, and a pair of binoculars.
