Mountain Gorilla Families of Rwanda
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is one of the four remarkable homes for mountain gorillas in the world, popular for offering the most accessible gorilla trekking in Africa. Mountain gorillas are the most iconic and endangered primate species, they are social, intelligent and familial. They live in groups or families, led by dominant silverbacks and each has unique characteristics and history.
Rwanda is one of the only three countries in the world where one can see these gentle giants in the wild, and there are 13 habituated groups, which visitors with Sambu Africa Safaris in Rwanda can trek to see. From the legendary Susa Group, studied by Dian Fossey, to the peace loving Amahoro Group. Each of the mountain gorilla families of Rwanda’s story provides insight into the resilience and complexity of gorilla society.
Gorilla Family Dynamics
Mountain gorilla families/groups are structured around a clear hierarchy, typically led by a dominant silverback (an old male gorilla), who plays a pivotal role as both protector and leader. These groups, which can consist of anywhere from a few individuals to over 20, are usually made up of females, their offspring and a few subordinate males.
The authority of the silverback is recognized and respected by all members. He is responsible for making decisions about the group’s movements, resolving conflicts and defending against threats. Within this tight – knit community, relationships are maintained through grooming, play, and close physical contact, ensuring that the group remains cohesive. While the silverback enjoys the highest status, the social dynamics within the group are fluid, with alliances and bond shifting over time, particularly as young males approach maturity and may eventually challenge the dominant silverback or leave to form their own groups. This intricate social structure is essential for the survival and stability of mountain gorilla communities, highlighting their complex and highly developed social behavior.
Susa Group – A Legendary Gorilla Family
Formed in 1974, the Susa Group is one of the most legendary gorilla families in Rwanda. The group was extensively studied by the renowned primatologist Dian Fossey, who research between 1968 and 1985 played a crucial role in gorilla conservation.
Named after a local stream, the Susa Group was once famous for its huge size boasting 42 members at its peak, including the first surviving twins of mountain gorillas, Byishimo and Impano. These twins wre named by Rwanda’s First Family during the inaugural Kwita Izina Ceremony in 2005, a tradition that has since become an annual event of global significance.
In 2009, the Susa Group split into four separate families Susa, Karisimbi, Isimbi, and Igisha. Today, the troop is led by the dominant silverback Impuamahanga, consists of 19 members including three silverbacks, five adult females, and three infants. Susa Group continues to inhabit the slopes of the Karisimbi Volcano – their ancestral home
The Karisimbi Group
Originally known as Susa B, the Karsimbi was formed in 2009 following its split from the Susa Group, under the leadership of Nyagakangaga, who led 13 individuals to establish a new home on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi.
In 2010, the group was officially named Karisimbi during the Kwita Izina Ceremony, named for their range around Karisimbi Mountain. However, tension within the group led to another split in April 2012, when a fraction broke away to form the Isimbi Group. Today, the Karimbi Group comprises 10 individuals, including six silverbacks, and has become a cross – border troop, ranging between Volcanoes National Park and the Mikeno Sector in Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Isimbi Group
The formation of Igisha group is a result of a recent split of the original Susa Group, the group was formed in November 2014. Led by the dominant silverback Igisha, this group began with 23 gorillas and has since grown to 33 members.
Igisha’s leadership has ensured the stability and growth, making it one of the largest gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. With its diverse membership, this group provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to observe the complexities of gorilla society, from the interactions between the dominant silverback and his subordinates to the nurturing care of mothers for their infants.
The Amahoro Group
True to its name which means “peaceful”, the Amahoro Group is considered the most amicable troop in Volcanoes National Park. After the death of its dominant silverback in 202, the group split into two, with one fraction retaining the name Amahoro under the leadership of Ubumwe.
Today, the Amahoro Group consists of 29 members, including four silverbacks, and inhabits the slopes of Mount Bisoke. Their peaceful nature and cohesive social structure make them a favorite among visitors.
The Umubano Group
Formed out of Amahoro Group’s split, Umubano means “togetherness” and “co-operation”, named for the collaboration needed to ensure the sustainable conservation of the species.
Led by a young silverback Charles, this group has established itself as a distinct family of 14 members, including eight silverbacks on the slopes of Mount Bisoke.
The Sabiyinyo Group
Led by the silverback Gihishamwotsi, who took over from his father Guhonda in 2020, the Sabyinyo Group has a long history dating back to its habituation in 1987. Originally nicknamed “Amavubi” (Wasp) due to their aggressive nature, the group was later renamed Sabyinyo after the mountain where they range.
Today, the Sabyinyo Group consists of 15 members and continues to thrive under Gihishamwotsi’s leadership. Visitors to this group can witness the legacy of strength passed down through generations of silverbacks, each contributing to the group’s survival and growth.
The Agashya Group
Originally Group 13, the Agashya group has a fascinating story of leadership and survival. The group was renamed after an epic battle between the resident leader Nyakairima and the challenger Agashya, who emerged victorious. Under Agashya, the group’s numbers increased from 12 to 19, who ensures their survival by leading them to the summit of Sabyinyo volcano in times of danger.
Tracking the Agashya Group can be challenging, but those who undertake the trek are rewarded with breathtaking views and an unforgettable encounter with these resilient primates.
The Muhoza Group
The story of Muhoza Group began in 2015 when the dominant silverback Marambo left his natal group, Kwitonda, wandering alone for nearly a year. Eventually, he formed his own group by attracting females from other troops, including Agashya and Hirwa.
Today, the Muhoza Group consists of 19 members and ranges in the valley between Sabinyo and Bisoke Volcanoes. Marambo’s journey of independence and leadership continues to shape the dynamics of this young and growing family.
The Hirwa Group
Though the name “Hirwa” means lucky, the Hirwa Group’s history is marked by both tragedy and resilience. First spotted in 2005, the group was led by the silverback Munyinya, who had left the Susa Group after a poaching incident. In 2011 the group welcomed twins, a rarity among mountain gorillas. Only three sets have ever been recorded in Volcanoes National Park, including the pair born in 2016.
In 2019, the group crossed into Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where it tragically lost four members, including Munyinya, to a lightning strike.
Despite this loss, the Hirwa Group now led by Uburanga, continues to thrive, with 13 members. Their story is a powerful reminder of the challenges these gorillas face and their incredible resilience.
The Kwtonda Group
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kwitonda Group settled in Rwanda in 2004. After the death of the dominant silverback Kwitonda in 2012, the group’s leadership fell to two subordinate silverbacks, Akarevuro and Kigomo. In 2021, the group amicably split into two sub-groups, each taking 20 members.
Today, the Kwitonda Group consists of 19 members and continues to thrive under the leadership of Akarevuro.
The Kwisanga and Kigomo Groups
Formed after the peaceful split from the Kwitonda Group in May 2021, the Kwisanga Group embodied the spirit of “Kwisanga” meaning “Welcome” or “at home”. Initially led by silverbacks Kigomo and Lisanga, this group of 19 members made the Sabyinyo Volcano area their home, until Kigomo and several others left the group on 31 December 2023. The split was peaceful, with no prior interaction or conflict reported before the division.
This new group offers researchers and conservationists a fresh opportunity to observe and study the behavior and social structure of mountain gorillas in a newly formed gorilla family.
Gorilla Trekking Experience in Volcanoes National Park
Trekking to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park can be a physically demanding but profoundly rewarding experience. Expeditions can range from 1 to 8 kilometers over steep and muddy terrain at high altitudes, and the time spent with a gorilla group is limited to an hour.
The challenge of the trek is more than compensated by the unmatched opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Although a gorilla group’s home range can extend up to 15 square kilometers, their daily movement is often restricted to about one kilometer, minimizing competition between groups. Thanks to their adaptable diet – primarily consisting of foliage such as leaves, stems, and shoot – mountain gorillas thrive in the diverse habitats of Volcanoes National Park, from bamboo groves to cloud forest.
As guests of Sambu Africa Safaris, visitors are allocated to a gorilla family by park guides based on availability, proximity, and the difficult of the trek. Whether you are assigned to the legendary Susa Group or the peaceful Kwisanga Group, the experience promises to be among the most memorable of your life.
