Humba mountain gorilla family is a splinter of Rugendo gorilla family, the family was formed in 1998 when the silverback Humba and his brother Nyakamwe decided to get separated from their father’s group taking away 6 members with them.
Humba and his brother increased the number of the family to 16 individuals but by the year 2014 they got into a fight that led to separation Humba was left with only 6 individuals while Nyakamee left the group with 10 individuals.
Humba mountain gorilla family is now composed of 10 individuals including 3 silverbacks, 2 adult females, 1 sub adult, 2 Juveniles and 2 babies. This family can be trekked from Gatovi and Bikenge areas of Virunga national park. Numbers in gorilla groups keep on changing from time to time so the given numbers cannot be constant for so long.
Other gorilla families
Rugendo gorilla family
Rugendo mountain gorilla family is one of the oldest mountain gorilla families in Virunga national park habituated in 1985, the group was dominated by Rugendo a famous silverback known to have fathered many silverbacks in Virunga national park who now have their own families. Rugendo unfortunately died out of a gun shot in in 2001. The family leadership was taken over by his son Senkwekwe who mysteriously died in 2007 and a solitary male took over the group in 2008 known as Bukima.
Nyakamwe gorilla family
Nyakamwe mountain gorilla family is a splinter of Rugendo gorilla family, the group was formed when silverback Nyakamwe decided to separate from his big brother Humba to start up his own gorilla family after he and his brother broke away from their father in Rugendo mountain gorilla family.
Gorilla permits
Mountain gorilla trekking permits in Congo cost $400 per person during the peak season and $200 during the low season. Gorilla permits must always be obtained in advance of 3-6 months before arriving to the country.
What to bring
Gorilla trekking doesn’t only require physical fitness but you will need to come with water proof hiking boots for hiking, garden gloves, insect repellents, plenty of drinking water, energy giving snacks, sun screen and so much more.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Congo is during the dry season of June to September when the roads leading to Virunga national park are easily accessible and the trekking trails are not slippery and muddy.
