NSHONGI GORILLA FAMILY IN RUSHAGA

NSHONGI GORILLA FAMILY IN RUSHAGA REGION OF BWINDI NATIONAL PARK.

With 14 gorilla families proudly calling Bwindi impenetrable national park a home, it is undoubtedly Africa’s epic gorilla destination that almost all world travelers storm Uganda just to have a glimpse on these amazing features in their natural habitats.

The park has four gorilla regions; Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Buhoma is the pioneer region for gorilla tours in Uganda, with the first family habituated here in 1993, however with the increasing gorilla trekking safaris, tourism has also extended to other regions. And currently, Rushaga is one major sector that is fast embracing tourism, with up to 5 habituated families, and the only region where gorilla habituation experience takes place.

Having been neglected for several years, Rushaga’s virginity is now attracting more tourists than before. The vegetation is all so fresh, it is a region where trekkers still have to go through nearly unpaved trails. The people and culture very authentic, exposing tourists to the real Batwa people of the forest.

Located in the far southern part of Bwindi, Rushaga gorilla sector is a home to five gorilla families ready to be trekked all year round. The families include Kahungye, Busingye, Mishaya, Bweza and Nshongi gorilla groups.

Talking about Nshongi gorilla family, it is the most interesting group to visit in Rushaga sector. It got its name from River Nshongi where the group was first sighted. The river has brown water similar to the color of honey, hence the name Omushongi Gwoboki; a local name for honey. And surely the Nshongi group is just sweet like its name.

Nshongi gorilla family was first habituated in early 2007 and officially launched for tourism in 2009. It is purely unique from all other groups in Bwindi. Unlike other families in Uganda, where only one oldest silverback dominates the group, the dominant silverback Nshongi in this group is not the oldest, and it lives in harmony with other silverbacks and black backs.

From the time Nshongi inherited his father Mishaya’s leadership, peace and harmony have prevailed among all his 34 members that he heads. However, Busasi; an aggressive young black back is now the only threat to Nshongi’s dominance. This attack could also be through Nshongi’s favorite female adult Bwiruka who never settles.

It is of common knowledge that female gorillas are always loyal to the one dominant silver in the family. But in Nshongi family, the ladies are spoilt with a variety of mating privileges. With three silverbacks in the group, the ladies easily interchange, something that would easily trigger off jealousy wars.

Now if only three silverbacks are like to fight over the female adults, what will happen when even these young black backs grow into silverbacks? It’s the real drama you hear of. Surely Nshongi is one gorilla family worth befriending to follow up the drama that is soon coming up the family.

On the sad note of this, this predicted unruly behavior of the group members may lead to further division of the group, hence reducing the members and that is the uniqueness Nshongi had over other families in Bwindi impenetrable national park.

You can still visit other gorilla families in Rushaga other than Nshongi, they also offer amazing experiences. Think of Kahungye, Busingye, and Mishaya and Bweza groups if you are trekking the amazing giants of the forest in Rushaga.

Also a new gorilla family Rwigi has been habituated. It split from Kahungye group with a dominant silverback called Rwigi and other five members. This makes the sixth gorilla group in Rushaga, making 48 gorilla permits available per day in Rushaga gorilla sector.

Don’t forget that one major requirement, without which you cannot trek these mighty apes, is a gorilla permit. This can be got from the Uganda wildlife authority, but to save yourself from the hassle and delays and bureaucracy, let a trusted tour operator like Love Uganda safaris book it for. Just give us your dates and interests.