Habinyanja gorilla family lives in Buhoma sector. Currently, 10 gorilla families are being habituated and stay in various sectors that are located in Bwindi and Buhoma is among those various sectors.

Habinyanja gorilla family was the first to be habituated in 1997 and the first bunch of visitors visited it in 1999 which which was two years after authorizing it for tourism activities.

Habinyaja word was derived from the local word known as Nyanja. Nyanja means a place with water. This was a place where the first gorilla family was seen in Buhoma sector near the swamp.

The leader of the group was the famous silverback known as Mugurusi who later alone passed away due to age. The name Mugurusi came from a local phase known as old man’s teeth.  After his death, his two brothers Mwirima and Rwansigazi took over and shared power but on the go, they got differences and could no longer continue to be the family leaders that are in power.

Mwirima loved to stay close to the family while Rwansigazi was loved to travel and adventure.

In 2002, the two silverbacks separated but without fighting. Members who remained on the side of Rwansigazi were called Habinyanja and those that took the side of Mwirima were called Rushegura family.

As time went by, Habinyanja gorilla family was now led by Makara and currently is still the leader of the gorilla family.

In 2011 bad news of sudden death of Mizano came to hit this family group. Mizano was a friendly mountain gorilla. The Body of Mizano was found with wounds caused by the spear on the neck and shoulder.

It is alleged that Mizano lost his life after falling into the hands of poachers who had dogs. This was the first poaching incident to happen since 1995.

Habinyanja gorilla Group meanders daily in the forest. You need to be energetic to trek this gorilla family and it has 18 gorilla members.

Remember the number of gorilla members keeps changing whenever new infants are born, when another member joins the family or when older members die.

If you want to trek Habinyanja Gorilla family specifically, Bwindi impenetrable national park is the place to go.