Mucunguzi gorilla family

Mucunguzi gorilla family is one of the habituated mountain gorilla groups that are in Bwindi gorilla park. Mucunguzi gorilla family is found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi gorilla park together with Bweza, Kutu, Bikingi, Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Busingye, and Rwigi. Bwindi gorilla park is found in the southwestern part of Uganda harboring the highest population of mountain gorillas.

Mucunguzi gorilla family in Rushaga sector of Bwindi gorilla park was part of Bweza mountain gorilla family. At the time of habituation, Mucunguzi gorilla group was led by a silverback Mucunguzi who was the youngest in Bweza gorilla family. The silverback Mucunguzi was chased from bweza gorilla group and he became a lone male for some good time.

After living alone in the jungle for some good time, Mucunguzi gorilla family attacked Bikingi gorilla family and stole some of the members to start up his own family. His family kept on increasing due to new births and other members coming into the group and as of today, the group has 12 members that are still led by Mucunguzi gorilla family.

Trekking Mucunguzi gorilla group

Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi gorilla park starts early in the morning in all sectors of the park. Trekkers must wake up early in the morning and head to the Rushaga sector where they will meet the park wardens who will teach them about the rules and regulations of the gorilla trekking activity. When the time for grouping members reaches, those that are interested in trekking Mucunguzi gorilla family will be given their group.

After the briefing and grouping, armed ranger guides lead the trekkers into the jungle and they start looking for the gorilla family while at the same time protecting the trekkers from dangerous wild animals. While still searching for mountain gorillas, trekkers will have an opportunity of meeting different park animals such as buffaloes, antelopes, bushpigs, giant forest hogs, duikers, elephants, olive baboons, monkeys, and birds among others.

When Mucunguzi mountain gorilla group is found the armed ranger guides give trekkers 1 hour to be around mountain gorillas learn about their behaviors, take photos for memories and watch them do daily activities such as hunting, climbing, nesting, coupling, eating, breastfeeding, and much more. After spending time with mountain gorillas, the trekkers will keep their voices low till they get far from the group. The trekkers will collect their gorilla trekking certificates when they get out of the jungle and then meet their driver to transfer them to the next destination or lodge.

How many people can trek Mucunguzi gorilla family?

Only 8 people are allowed to trek Mucunguzi gorilla family in Rushaga region of Bwindi gorilla park. Trekking Mucunguzi gorilla group is limited to only 8 people in order to reduce behavioral disturbance to the mountain gorillas, discomfort, stress, and spread of diseases such as cough and flue.

Uganda Wildlife Gorilla trekking permit

How much are gorilla trekking permits for Mucunguzi gorilla family?

Gorilla permits for Mucunguzi gorilla family cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents, and UGX250,000 East African citizens. The gorilla trekking permits are sold to people above the age of 15 years old at the Uganda Wildlife Authority but can still be got from a trusted local tour operator.

Booking Mucunguzi gorilla trekking permits

Travelers can book Mucunguzi gorilla family permits using the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted local tour operator. Travelers will have to send an email to any of the above containing Mucunguzi as the gorilla group they want to track, dates of the month, and year they want to trek. This information will be used to check for the availability of the trekking permits and once they are available you will receive an email containing banking details and when you send the money, they will book the permits for you and send you a scanned copy.

What to pack for Mucunguzi gorilla family trekking safari?

Mucunguzi gorilla family trekking packing list includes waterproof hiking boots, cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, a raincoat, insect repellents, drinking water bottle, energy-giving snacks, a camera, a pair of binoculars, first aid kit, a light backpack and much more.

When to trek Mucunguzi gorilla family?

Mucunguzi gorilla family can be trekked in Rushaga sector of Bwindi gorilla park and any time of the year but there are months that are better than the rest. The dry months that occur from June to September and December to February are the best to trek Mucunguzi gorilla group because they are characterized by little or no rainfall that leaves the trekking trails dry, the vegetation is short and scattered with good views of the gorillas and the roads leading to the park are passable.

Tourists can still visit Rushaga sector of Bwindi gorilla park and trek Mucunguzi gorilla family in the rainy season which occurs from March to May and October to November. During the rainy season, the lodges give out huge discounts on accommodation facilities but there is little or no rainfall that makes the trekking trails muddy and slippery, the vegetation is tall with unclear views of the park animals and the roads leading to the sector are impassable.

A room at Ichumba Gorilla Lodge in Rushaga

Where to stay?

Tourists to trek Mucunguzi gorilla family must stay in accommodation facilities that are within Rushaga region of the park. These range from budget to mid-range to luxury options and they include Rushaga Gorilla Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Bwindi Jungle Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Haven Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Resort, and Wagtail Eco Safari Lodge.

Getting to Rushaga sector

Rushaga sector can be accessed in a single day using road transport or air transport. By air transport, travelers can fly from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi airstrip to Kisoro airstrip where you are transported to your booked accommodation by a safari drive.

Travelers using road transport can access Rushaga sector of Bwindi gorilla park from Kigali by crossing to Uganda using Katuna border in Kabale or Cyanika border in Kisoro. Travelers from Kampala can pass via Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, and Kisoro road where they will turn north from the surfaced highway beyond Kabale town.