The Bwenge mountain gorilla family was led by the silverback Bwenge, who left his original group with two females to start his own family. The Bwenge group grew as the females gave birth, resulting in two adult females and five infants, expanding the family. However, the group faced a difficult time when six infants in the family died.
Bwenge, the only silverback in the group, often fought with other silverbacks who wanted to take his family members. He was wounded several times during these fights. One morning, Bwenge was found dead by Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund trackers. The Bwenge mountain gorilla family was also featured in the 1998 film “Gorillas in the Mist.” The family struggled significantly after losing six infants.
After the death of Bwenge, the elder female Maggie took over leadership of the group. However, they were often followed by a lone silverback male named Turatsinze, who came from Pablo’s group. The Bwenge mountain gorilla family can be trekked in areas around Mount Bisoke and Mount Karisimbi.
Currently, the Bwenge mountain gorilla family consists of 11 members. It is important to note that the number of members in gorilla families can change due to new births, deaths, or separations, especially if another silverback challenges the dominant male and takes some members to form his own group.
Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost $1500 per person. Only people without communicable diseases and those above 15 years of age are allowed to trek mountain gorillas. The trekking duration can range from 30 minutes to 7 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family and the hikers’ pace. Once a gorilla family is found, visitors are given one hour to observe and take photos.
Volcanoes National Park is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is during the dry seasons, from June to September and December to February, when trekking trails are less muddy and slippery. However, weather in rainforests can be unpredictable, and it may rain even during the dry season. Visitors are advised to come prepared with all the necessary trekking gear.
