The Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has the highest number of habituated mountain gorilla families. The sector is also one of the most scenic areas of Bwindi National Park and is only a 5 to 6 hour drive from Kigali International Airport. Explore our Uganda safari packages to see how this sector fits into your trip.
The Nshongi Gorilla Family’s Origins
The renowned Nshongi mountain gorilla family was the largest habituated gorilla family in 2006, with 32 members. However, like other gorilla families, there were disagreements among the silverbacks, which led to the group splitting apart over time. Habituation of the Nshongi gorilla family began in 2007, and it was opened for tourism in 2009.
The Nshongi mountain gorilla family gets its name from the Nshongi River, where they were first seen by rangers in Bwindi. The river’s name comes from the local phrase “Omushongi Gwoboki,” meaning “honey,” since its deep color resembled honey. The group lives in a large forested area, giving visitors a chance to see other primates in the forest.
How the Family Split Over Time
In 2010, the silverback Mishaya left the Nshongi family to form his own group, leaving 26 members in the original family. This opened the way for other silverbacks to leave, and in 2013, Bweza also broke away to start his own gorilla family, leaving the Nshongi group with 18 members. Today, the Nshongi gorilla family consists of only 7 individuals.
Splinters of the Nshongi Gorilla Family
Mishaya Gorilla Family: The Mishaya gorilla family began when this silverback left the Nshongi mountain gorilla family to start his own group. He fought other gorilla groups and took females to add to his family. Mishaya was known for initiating fights with other gorilla families, which caused him several injuries and even led to the death of a 2-year-old infant at one time.
In February 2014, Mishaya was found dead by trackers, and the cause of his death remains unknown.
Bweza Gorilla Family: The Bweza gorilla family split from the Nshongi family in August 2012, after Mishaya had already broken away. The group is led by Bweza, the only silverback in the family of 12 individuals.
Trekking the Nshongi Family and Its Splinter Groups Today
The story of the Nshongi family illustrates just how dynamic gorilla social structures can be, with a single group of over 30 members eventually giving rise to three separate families within the Rushaga sector. For visitors, this means a trek to see the Nshongi family, or one of its offshoots, the Mishaya or Bweza groups, offers a chance to witness the direct result of this history, since all three families still occupy overlapping territory within Rushaga. Given how closely tied their stories are, guides in the sector are often well placed to explain the shifting relationships between these groups during the trek itself.
