Mountain gorillas always live in families of 5-30 individuals, dominated by 1 silverback who dictates all the group’s activities.
There are also situations where you can find a lone male who might have been banished from his original family by the dominating silverback or who’s looking for a family to conquer and rule.
Mountain gorillas are herbivorous animals that feed on fruits, leaves, stems, bamboo shoots, bark, pith, and sometimes supplement their diet with termites, insects, and ants.
Gorillas spend most of their day foraging, which starts early in the morning at 6 am until noon when they rest.
They start foraging again late in the afternoon until 6-7 pm when they build their nests to sleep in.
Christmas Gorilla Family
The Christmas gorilla family is one of the newly habituated gorilla families in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The habituation of the Christmas gorilla family has increased the number of gorilla permits available in the Nkuringo sector from 16 to 24 permits per day.
The Christmas gorilla family is dominated by a silverback called Christmas, named because he was born on Christmas day.
The family is composed of 9 members: 1 dominating silverback, 1 black back, 3 females, and 1 baby gorilla, with more individuals expected to join the group.
This family can also be trekked by tourists who book Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking tours.
Other Gorilla Groups in Nkuringo
Nkuringo Gorilla Family
The Nkuringo gorilla family was the first gorilla family to be opened for tourists in this sector of Bwindi National Park in 2004.
The group derives its name from the word “Nkuringo,” which means “round.”
This name was given to them because they were first spotted on Nkuringo hill in Bwindi.
Nkuringo gorilla family was habituated to resolve the problem the family had with the local community, as they used to forage in their gardens.
To protect this group, they had to be habituated, and the community also benefited from tourism.
Nkuringo gorilla family was dominated by the silverback Nkuringo, who died in 2008.
The group is composed of 19 members, including 2 silverbacks, and it’s also one of the lucky gorilla groups to have twins.
Where to Stay in Nkuringo
There are various lodges or hotels to stay in while in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi.
Some of the options include Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge, and Chameleon Hill Lodge, among others.
Gorilla Permits
To trek a mountain gorilla family, one will need to obtain a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a tour company.
Uganda gorilla permits cost $700 per person, while gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person.
Best Time to Visit
Mountain gorilla trekking can be done all year round, although some months are obviously better than others.
The best time for trekking the Christmas gorilla family is during the dry season from June to September and December to February.
During this time, the roads to the park are very accessible, the trekking trails are in good condition, and it’s easier to spot mountain gorillas and take good photos because the vegetation is thinner.
