Planning to visit mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda? Here is the full list of habituated mountain gorilla families in Rwanda.
Amahoro Family
The family’s name means “peace.” This shows the nature of this gorilla family.
The family is led by “Ubumwe.” Those who have met this silverback and his family say there is a peaceful feeling around them. The silverback’s name means “togetherness” in the Kinyarwanda language.
Unlike some other gorilla families, there is strong unity in this family. It is loved by tourists who like peaceful experiences.
Some members have left to join other groups because of Ubumwe’s calm nature.
While many silverbacks would fight to keep their family members, Ubumwe does not.
The family has 17 members and lives at the foot of Mount Bisoke, near Volcanoes National Park. Tourists must be at least 15 years old to track this family.
Karisimbi Family
This family is part of the endangered mountain gorillas in the Virunga region. It is one of the most tracked groups and is found in Volcanoes National Park.
It is named after the Karisimbi Volcano where they live. Karisimbi is the second-highest mountain in the Virunga ranges.
The mountain has thick bushes and bamboo, making tracking this family harder.
The family broke away from the Susa family in 2009 and has since been called Susa B. The leading silverback is “Nyagakangaga.”
It has 11 individuals, including a black back and a female. It also has 4 silverbacks who help protect the family. Tracking this family involves hiking high slopes.
Muhoza Family
Muhoza family is one of the newer gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park.
It is named after the lead silverback, Muhoza. Trekking started in 2016 after the family was fully habituated.
Muhoza is the only silverback and is known for stealing members from other families. It started with 7 members but has since grown.
Hirwa Family
This family is found in Volcanoes National Park. It has 16 members, led by silverback “Munyinya.” Some members were taken by the Muhoza family.
It lives in the lowlands between the Sabinyo and Gahinga volcanoes. It also broke off from the Susa family.
Munyinya left the Susa family in early 2002 and reappeared in 2006.
He had already started his own family, and formal trekking of this family started that year. The family’s name means “one who is lucky,” referring to the leader’s quick success in growing a family.
Kwitonda Family
This family was named after its founding silverback who died. It is now led by silverback Akarevuro.
It is said that the founding silverback defected from Congo due to conflicts.
The silverback died in 2012 after growing the family to about 33 members, making it one of the biggest families.
The family has 3 black backs and 2 silverbacks. It lives between the Sabinyo and Gahinga volcanoes.
Agashya Family
This family has 25 members and is led by silverback Agashya. It was first called Group 13 because it had 13 members when discovered.
Originally led by Nyakairima, Agashya took over leadership and the family was renamed.
Agashya is known for his aggressive protection of his family. They live on the slopes of the Sabyinyo volcano.
Pablo Family
The family is named after its former leader, Pablo. His son Cantsbee took over but died young. Now, Pablo’s grandson leads the family of 26 individuals.
They live on the rugged slopes of Karisimbi volcano, making tracking a bit hard.
Dian Fossey and her team first studied this group in 1976. The family broke away from Group 5 in 1993.
Titus Family
Titus family also has a strong history. Many members were killed when Titus was young, but he survived.
Dian Fossey and the Karisoke Research Center helped protect him. Titus became the leader after defeating Beetsme at 17 years old.
Though often seen as weak, Titus surprised many by winning leadership easily. He lived until 35 years old.
Researchers found his family surrounding his body when he died. He fathered the most known offspring of any silverback in Rwanda.
Umubano Family
The family’s name means “living together” in Kinyarwanda.
It separated from the Amahoro family after a conflict between Charles and his brother Ubumwe after their father’s death.
Despite separating, the two brothers still interact peacefully.
The Umubano family has 13 members, including 5 silverbacks.
Bwenge Family
This is one of the oldest known families, featured in a 1988 documentary honoring Dian Fossey.
It was named after its leader in 2007. It has 11 members and one silverback.
It lives in the corridor between Bisoke and Karisimbi volcanoes. Its name means “wisdom” in Kinyarwanda.
Ugyenda Family
This family has 11 members and one silverback.
It lives on the smoother slopes of Bisoke volcano, making hiking easier.
The family’s name means “departure” in Kinyarwanda.
Susa Family
This family is named after the Susa River.
For a long time, it had the biggest number of members because fights among silverbacks were not serious.
It became famous through Dian Fossey’s research.
Later, the family split and formed new families.
It is also famous because one female gave birth to twins, Byishimo and Impano, and raised both — something very rare among gorillas.
Today, Susa family has 33 members.
