Gorillas are the world’s largest living primates inhabiting tropical forests in central, western and east Africa; they are divided into two species of Eastern gorillas further sub divided into mountain gorillas and Eastern low land gorillas and mountain gorillas. The western species is divided into western lowland gorillas and cross river gorillas.
Gorillas are critically endangered due to habitat loss and poaching though conservation efforts have seen increase in their numbers over the years, mountain gorillas also have a low birth rate with females producing only 2-6 offspring’s in a lifetime, 1-2 fertile days in a month and have a gestation period of 8 and half months.
Mountain gorillas move in social groups of 5-30 individuals dominating by an alpha male normally the oldest silverback in the group responsible for the group safety, time for foraging, sleeping time and time for resting.
Habinyanja gorilla family
Habinyanja was among the first mountain gorilla families to be habituated in Buhoma sector of Bwindi national park in 1996. The family was composed of over 25 members at the time of habituation.
The name Habinyanja is derived from a local word to mean “body of water” the family was named so because it was first sighted near a swamp in Bwindi where it ranges from. The family was dominated by silverback Mukurisi at the time of habituation until his death.
After the death of Mukurusi, his two sons took over the group leadership that is Mwirima and Rwansangizi however they had differences in that Rwansangizi loved to explore large home range while Mwirima loved staying within a small zone hence this cause the two brothers to separate
During the year 2002, Habinyanja mountain gorilla family split forming Rushegura gorilla family under Mwirima and Habinyanja remained under Rwansangizi. The separation was peaceful until Rwansangizi gave up leadership to Makara the current dominating silverback.
Habinyanja mountain gorilla family is now composed of 19 individuals dominated by silverback Makara,
What to carry
Mountain gorillas live in tropical rainforests that require hiking and physical fitness, tourists coming to trek mountain gorillas must come along with hiking boots, rain coats and jackets, warm clothes, garden gloves, plenty of drinking water, energy snacks, sun screen, sun glasses, insect repellent and many other things you might need.
Best time to visit
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park can be visited all year round but the best time to visit is during the dry season of June to august and December to February when vegetation is not thick giving you clear views of gorillas and the trekking trails are also not muddy and slippery.
