INTRODUCTION OF RWIGI GORILLA FAMILY IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK.

Rwigi Gorilla Family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Rwigi family became the most recently habituated gorilla group in Rushaga sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park, following two other new groups, Katwe and Christmas in Buhoma and Nkuringo regions respectively.

On a fateful day 15^th April 2019, Uganda and the entire tourism fraternity woke up to the great news of the introduction of a new gorilla family known as Rwigi located in Rushaga sector. The Uganda wildlife Authority broke the news after a full habituation process that went on for over two years to make the group fully acquainted to human presence.

Habituation of Rwigi family comes at a time when Uganda is facing a record high demand of gorilla permits due to increased permit prices in Rwanda and while D. R. Congo is struggling with insecurity in its main gorilla destination, Virunga national park.

Since last year 2018, Uganda has seen the highest demand of gorilla permits in its history, and so habituation of Rwigi family in Bwindi impenetrable national park has come at the right time.

This gives gorilla trekkers yet another exciting experience of tracking a new gorilla family in the world’s best gorilla destination.

Rwigi gorilla family is located in the southern sector of Bwindi, known as Rushaga; one of the 4 main gorilla tracking regions, others include Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east and Nkuringo in the far southeast.

Under the leadership of silverback Rwigi, this group is said to have broken up from Kahungye family. It is comprised of one silverback plus other 6 members inclusive of black backs, juveniles and infants.

“The group is lively and in perfect health, and tourists are highly welcomed to start visiting it” authorities said.

Introduction of Rwigi gorilla family brings a total number of habituated families in Rushaga to 6, 15 gorilla groups in Bwindi national park and 16 in the entire country, including 1 gorilla group (Nyakagezi) in Mgahinga national park. Thanks to the conservation efforts which has seen the number of these endangered primates grow steadily in the past few years.

With a population of about 500 mountain gorillas (2011 census), Bwindi Impenetrable National park alone is home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas and a proud UNESCO world Heritage site, due to its diverse species of flora and fauna.

It boasts as a popular destination for gorilla safaris not only in Uganda but Africa and the entire world. The park has a total of 15 fully habituated gorilla families that dwell within the four designated gorilla regions which can be easily accessed by visitors looking for gorilla trekking tours in Uganda.