Gorilla Groups to see in Congo’s Virunga National Park: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is believed to have a diverse range of minerals, some of which have yet to be mined. The mountain gorillas located in Virunga National Park are the most recent addition to Congo’s riches. The park, which is Africa’s oldest national park and protected area, has eight habituated gorilla families/groups that live within it. These gorilla groups are as follows:

Nyakamwe Gorilla Group.

The Nyakamwe gorilla group is one of Virunga’s most recently habituated gorilla populations. The group was habituated alongside the Bageni gorilla group, which appears to be the biggest in Virunga National Park. The Nyakamwe gorilla group has 11 members and is led by Nyakamwe, a powerful silverback. Nyakamwe is a sibling of Humba, the dominant silverback of the Humba gorilla population. The group broke from the Humba group in 2014, and it is now located in the Bukima part of the national park.

The Rugendo Gorilla Group

The Rugendo gorilla group is one of Virunga National Park’s oldest habituated gorilla families. This gorilla group, which presently consists of nine individuals, was habituated in 1989. The gang is led by a dominant silverback named Bukima, who took over the group’s leadership when Rugendo, the group’s leader, died. Rugendo is regarded as the father of the majority of Virunga’s silverbacks, notably Humba. The group began in 1997 with 18 members, including two silverbacks, Rugendo and his son Humba. Humba later challenged his father in a duo and left with 10 members to form his current gorilla group, which is now known as Humba. The group has had a lot of changes as new members have joined, such as its current dominant silverback Bukima, who is originally from the Buhanga gorilla family/group, Gorilla Groups to see in Congo’s Virunga National Park.

The Kabirizi Gorilla Group

Visitors who want to follow this group can do so in the Bukima region of Virunga National Park, where it has roughly 19 members. This tribe was once known as ‘Ndungutse,’ after its former dominant silverback, Ndungutse. Unfortunately, he was slain in 1997 when he was trapped in crossfire between Congolese government forces and Rwandan rebel forces. After his father, Zunguruka, died of old age, Ndungutse took over as leader of this clan. Following Ndungutse’s death, the group was led by a dominating silverback dubbed ‘Kabirizi.’ He was a wild gorilla that was habituated in 1998 and is recognized for being a strong yet modest gorilla. This gorilla group is named after the ICCN’s previous Director, who was killed in a vehicle accident. The dominant male gorilla (Kabirizi) is facing severe competition from Masibo, an eager silverback. Visitors following this gorilla group begin at the Bukima Patrol Post.

The Mapuwa Gorilla Group

The Mapuwa gorilla group is strategically placed in Jomba, near the Congo-Uganda border. The organization, which has 22 members, takes its name from its former leader, ‘Mapuwa.’ Rugendo fathered Mapuwa, who left his father’s group in 1998 to create his own family, taking two females with him named Jicho and Mafaze. Mapuwa successfully defended his family from both internal and external attacks while still living. In 2002, he fought a dominating silverback named ‘Pilipili,’ and robbed him of all his group members, leaving him as a lone silverback. Currently, the Mapuwa gorilla troop is led by a dominant silverback named ‘Mvuyekure.’

The Humba Gorilla Group

Humba, the dominant silverback, leads the Humba gorilla family. The group consists of ten people and is located in the Virunga National Park‘s Gatovu and Bikenge areas. Humba was kicked out of his father’s gang in 1998 when he challenged him. He is also the brother of Senkwekwe, who was assassinated by unknown assailants in 2007. This gorilla group had 16 members by 2014; however it was subsequently separated due to a dispute between Humba and Nyakamwe, the current leader of the Nyakamwe gorilla group. Kakule, a female gorilla from the Munyaga group, is the most recent member to the Humba family.

Lulengo Gorilla Family

This gorilla family lives in Jomba, near Bunagana, on the Congo-Uganda border. The gang presently consists of nine members and is led by a dominant silverback named Lulengo. This gorilla group was originally known as Musekura before being renamed Lulengo. Lulengo, the current silverback, took over the group when his father Rugabo was murdered by poachers. Lulengo was named after the previous Virunga National Park’s Technical Director, who was murdered by a land mine, Gorilla Groups to see in Congo’s Virunga National Park.

Bageni Gorilla Group

The Bageni gorilla group is the largest gorilla group in Virunga National Park right now. This group was habituated with the Nyakamwe gorilla group. It now has roughly 26 members and is commanded by a silverback named ‘Bageni.’ The group also includes two additional silverbacks, Kanamaharagi and Kitagenda, who are continuously battling Bageni for the group’s leadership position. Both academics and park staff are concerned about a possible split in the group in the near future.

Munyaga Gorilla Family

Tourists are drawn to the Munyaga gorilla group because of one of its female gorillas, Bilali. She gave birth to a pair of twins who perished in infancy. This gang draws its name from one of its past commanders who was called Munyaga. Following his demise, the gang was led by a silverback named Mawazo. This gorilla group is being led by a dominant silverback gorilla named ‘Gasore.’ The Munyaga gorilla group, which has seven individuals, was initially habituated in 2008. The group is especially well-known for their bald-headed silverback known as ‘Kadogo.’

In summary; Visitors who want to hike gorillas in Congo’s Virunga national park must pay USD $400 per person for a gorilla trekking permit. Visitors’ safety at the national park is ensured by armed security agents escorting them to and from the park in Goma.