The Nshongi Gorilla Family lives in Bwindi.
Nshongi Gorilla Family in Bwindi: The Nshongi gorilla family is the largest gorilla group and one of the 10 groups that have become used to humans in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This park is a popular spot for tourists because it’s the best place in Uganda for gorilla trekking, and it is home to over 400 endangered mountain gorillas. This national park is in the Kanungu district in southwestern Uganda. It became a national park in 1994 and is named after a UNESCO World Heritage site. This national park is one of the smallest game parks in the country, covering about 321 square kilometers. This national park is next to other countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
You can easily visit the Nshongi Gorilla family in the Rushanga area, located in the southern part of the park. Additionally, when visiting the Nshongi gorilla family, guests can also see other gorilla groups like Bweza, Kahugye, and Busingye. The Nshongi Gorilla family was established in 2009 and is the biggest group of gorillas, with about 36 mountain gorillas that are used to human contact. Tourists can visit and trek to see them. Additionally, this group of gorillas is unique because they are known to be big. The group was led by a silverback gorilla named Nshongi, who was known for being a great leader and helping the others live together peacefully. This group had more than three silverback gorillas and about seven black gorillas, and they all lived together happily like a family without fighting.
Tourists visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park mainly to trek the Nshongi Gorilla family can also see many other animals. The park has over 120 mammal species, including elephants, giant forest hogs, golden cats, buffalos, bush pigs, duikers, various bats, civets, chimpanzees, baboons, and different types of monkeys like white and black colobus. Additionally, the park features 400 plant species, 220 butterflies, 100 types of ferns, and 348 bird species. Birdwatchers can find birds like the regal sunbird, African emerald cuckoo, giant kingfisher, and many others, especially along the Munyanga river trail, the bamboo trail in the Ruhija sector, the Mubwindi swamp trail, and the River Ivi trail.
Nshongi gorilla group is known to have derived its name due to its strategic location because it is placed near the river where the first gorilla group of mountain gorilla species was spotted. The Gorilla group was named after Nshongi, the dominant silverback. In 2010, this group split into families, leaving only 26 members. The group’s name, Omushongi Gwoboki, comes from a Rukiga word that means “honey,” which describes the deep color of the river’s water that looks like honey. Tourists visiting the Rushanga area can enjoy many fun activities, such as gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation. They can also take guided nature walks with park guides for safety, go bird watching, view wildlife, and have cultural experiences. During these cultural encounters, they can meet the Batwa people, learn about their history and way of life, watch traditional dance performances, and see how they cook their local meals.
Tourists going to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park should book their gorilla hiking permits early to avoid any issues. These permits cost around 700 USD each. The best time to visit the Nshongo Gorilla family is during the dry season, which is from June to September and from mid-December to February. During these months, there is less rain, making it easier to stick to your plans.
For more information about the Nshongi Gorilla family, please reach out to our trusted tour providers. You can also book with travel companies.
