The Munyaga gorilla family was formerly known as the Buhanga gorilla family. This group was first led by an adult female called Nsekuye in 1998. At that time, Munyaga was a solitary silverback moving alone through the Virunga forests. When he came across the Buhanga family, he challenged the group and later took control, becoming the dominant silverback.
After Munyaga took over the family, the group faced many challenges. There were frequent encounters and fights with other wild and habituated mountain gorilla families, including the Kabirizi gorilla family. During these conflicts, Munyaga lost all the adult females in the group. With no females left to mate with, Munyaga eventually left the family and returned to a solitary life.
After Munyaga’s departure, another silverback in the group called Mawazo became the leader. Mawazo successfully guided the group and increased its number to about ten individuals. Over time, leadership changed again, and today the Munyaga gorilla family is led by a dominant silverback named Gasore.
The Munyaga mountain gorilla family currently has seven members. One of the most interesting individuals in the group is a silverback known as Kadogo, who is easy to recognize because of his bald head. The family once had twins, which is rare among mountain gorillas, but sadly both infants died at a young age.
The Munyaga gorilla family is found in the Bukima area of Virunga National Park. The group takes its name from Munyaga, the solitary silverback who once took leadership of the family from a female gorilla. Each day, a maximum of eight tourists are allowed to visit this gorilla family. During the visit, tourists are given enough time to observe gorilla behavior and take photos for memories.
Mountain gorillas live in high altitude rainforests, so visitors must be in good physical condition. Trekking can be demanding, and it is important to carry proper trekking gear such as garden gloves, warm clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen, and strong hiking shoes.
Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park can be done throughout the year. However, the best time to visit the Munyaga gorilla family is during the dry months from June to August and December to February. During these months, trekking trails are easier to walk, and gorillas are easier to find.
