Ruhija sector is one of the four sectors in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park availed with habituated mountain gorilla for trekking. Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and can be accessed by road and air travel. The sector is home of four habituated gorilla families namely – Oruzogo, Bitukura, Muzika and Kyaguliro all available for trekking.
Bitukura gorilla family
Bitukura gorilla family is one of the gorilla families found in Ruhija sector of Bwindi. It was habituated in 2007 and 2008. Bitukura family group is the only group that was fully habituated in one year. The other habituation processes of other gorilla families last for two to three years for the process to be complete.
The Bitukura family comprises of 14 individuals including four silverbacks habituated in 2007. It also has four females, two juveniles, three infants and one baby. Initially the family had 24 members but due to several fights some individuals moved to other areas.
The group was named after river Bitukura where the group was cited the first time. This family is known for being friendly and peaceful gorilla family in the Ruhija sector. The family is available for tourists who love to trek Ruhija sector of Bwindi.
Oruzogo gorilla family
The family was named after the famous plant oruzogoto where it was first sited. It’s among the habituated gorilla families in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi. This family comprises of 17 individuals under the leadership of Bakwata silverback. Other members in the family include 2 blackbacks, 5 adult females, 2 sub adults and 5 infants.
The Uganda wildlife Authority availed this family for tourism in 2011. The family has turned out to be the most favored family because it’s very entertaining and joyful around visitors. This gorilla family is also available in the Ruhija sector for trekking.
Kyaguriro gorilla family
Kyaguriro group was the oldest gorilla family to be habituated in 1999 for research purposes. However, it was later availed for trekking after the gorilla demand for permits went high in the Ruhija sector. At the time of habituation, the family was under the leadership of Zeus silverback. He had a fight with silverback Rukina who banished him to the forest and later died in exile. After his death, the family was left under the leadership of Rukina who was struck by lightning.
In 2016 the gorilla group split into two groups after a fight where Mukiza silverback was challenged by an immigrant silverback Rukara from Bitukura family.
The Mukazi family.
The Mukazu group is found in Ruhija sector of Bwindi impenetrable National Park. This family is under the leadership of dominate silverback Mukiza. This group came into formation after the split of the parent group Kyaguliro in 2016. The group is currently composed of 13 individuals including 1 silverback ,6 adult females,1 sub adult juvenile and 3 infants. Book your gorilla trekking safari with Ganyana safaris for a life time experience.
