Silverback Gorillas in Bwindi: Bwindi is a home of many mountain gorillas found in the south western parts and is among the largest national parks in Uganda. Bwindi is in 4 division sectors which includes Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga. These sectors inhabit mountain gorillas and ready for gorilla trekking. Each habituated family is trekked by only 8 people.

Each family is led by one silverback and is the one responsible for guiding the family members as the leader. The list below shows a silverbacks who are leaders of specific family.

Mwirima-Rushegura Family

Rushegura family is found in Buhoma region and 19 members are found in the gorilla family. Mwirima is the silverback in leadership of the family and is a brother Rwansiganzi a former silverback in Habinyanja. Mwirima’s age is in late 20s.

Mugurisi-Habinyanja Family

Habinyanja family is led by silverback Mugurusi. Mugurusi in Local language of Bakiga means old man. Famous silverback Makara to power as the leader after Rwansigazi gave up the leadership role of the family.

Ruhondeza-Mubare Family        

Mubare family was led by Ruhondenza who was inherited by silverback Kanyonyi. Ruhondenza died due to old age.

Ndahura – Bitukura Family

Bitukura family is found in Ruhija sector and is led by dominant silverback Ndahura who took the inheritance from silverback Karumazi that had aged and could no longer lead the family. Currently Ndahura is the leader and is the source of happiness for the family.

Tebirikwata – Oruzongo Family

Tebirikwata is the leader of Oruzongo gorilla family. It is the leader of 25 family members and is the oldest gorilla. Tebirikwata is energetic and is full of playful characters.

Zeus and Rukina-Kyaguriro family

Kyaguriro family is led by silverbacks Rukina and Zeus. However Zeus was expatriate in the forest by Rukina and at the end it died. As time went by Rukina died due to old age and silverback Rukara inherited power and is leading 15 members of the family.

Rafiki & Safari – Nkuringo Family

NNkuringo gorilla family has been under the leadership of various silverbacks. Silverback Alpha was a leader and later in 2004 passed away and his 2 sons inherited the power. Rafiki and Safari are the leaders of Nkuringo family and has 19 family members.

Mishaya – Mishaya Family

Mishaya gorilla family was first led by silverback Mishaya during the habituation time and currently it is led by silverback Mwine.

Nshongi – Nshongi Family

Nshongi family is led by dominant silverback Nshongi and 26 members are under his leadership.

Gwigi & Busingye – Kahungye family

Kahungye family is found in Rushaga sector and Busingye and Gwigi are the silverbacks in the family. They have 27 members in their leadership.

20 silverbacks are found in Bwindi forest and each gorilla family has one leader.