There are over 11 mountain gorilla families that live in Volcanoes National Park, and Titus Gorilla Family is one of them. It is one of the smallest mountain gorilla families in the park. As an important feature, Titus is among the oldest gorilla families in the park. It has been protected for a few years now mainly for research purposes, but it is also available for trekking by daily visitors.
Volcanoes National Park is located on the northwestern side of Rwanda and shares its western borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rich volcanic soils in this park provide good conditions for the growth of thick tropical forests where the Titus Gorilla Family has lived and bred for many years. The volcanoes of Karisimbi and Visoke also offer a good hiking experience for trekkers visiting this family.
The Titus Gorilla Family lives between two volcanoes, Visoke and Karisimbi, and it was named after the dominant silverback “Titus.” Titus was born during the time of Dian Fossey’s research in the Virunga region.
When he was born, poaching activities were very common, and sadly, his family was killed by poachers while he was still an infant. The family had been famous for its resilience and peaceful nature. Fortunately, another gorilla family adopted him, cared for him, and raised him until he became independent.
This kind of adoption was rare at the time and surprised Dian Fossey. She described young Titus as having breathing problems, which made her worry about his survival. However, he overcame these early challenges and grew into a healthy silverback.
As he grew up, adulthood required Titus to form his own family. He left with a few other blackbacks. Their former family was led by a silverback named Beetsme. Later, internal disagreements caused about five females to leave and join Beetsme’s family.
Over time, Beetsme kept pushing away some male gorillas. In 1991, Titus overthrew Beetsme after a bloodless conflict and became the new leader. Titus faced opposition from his son, Kuryama, who tried several times to challenge him. However, Kuryama was always defeated and eventually decided to leave and form his own family.
Kuryama’s attempt did not succeed, and he later returned to Titus’s family. Titus sired over 20 offspring, the highest number recorded by any silverback in Volcanoes National Park. He died peacefully at the age of 35 years. At the time of his death, all family members gathered around him to say their final goodbyes.
The death of Titus greatly affected the unity of the family. Many adult gorillas left to join other groups, causing a big reduction in the number of family members.
Cost of Tracking Titus Family
To trek the Titus Gorilla Family, visitors must have a valid trekking permit. This can be acquired from the Rwanda Development Board or through a professional booking agency. Each permit costs $1500. Tourists are advised to book early, at least five months before the trek, because competition for permits is very high, especially during the peak season.
Best Time to Trek Titus Gorilla Family
The best time to trek is during the dry seasons in tropical Africa. These are the months of June, July, August, and September; and December, January, and February. The advantages of trekking mountain gorillas during the dry season cannot be overstated.
