The gorilla family allocation process in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Situated in Rwanda’s northwest province, Volcanoes National Park is one of the world’s most significant conservation areas, that is part of the Virunga Massif. The park is so popular due to the presence of the rare/ endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) that call it home. Gorilla trekking has emerged as a leading conservation activity and an outstanding contributor to Rwanda’s tourism sector.

Within the gorilla tracking activity is the gorilla family allocation procedure, a professionally managed process intended to safeguard the gorillas and providing tourists with a meaningful and responsible experience.

Mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park live in social groupings commonly referred to as families where each family is led by a dominant silverback. Gorilla families also comprise of females, babies and subordinate males. These families reside in different altitudinal zones where they are closely monitored by rangers and researchers.

Volcanoes national park Rwanda has 10 to 12 gorilla families, some of which are fully habituated and available for daily tracking while   others are set aside for research and study. Each family has alot of information to read about on the internet so if you  are interested in a particular aspect , read about it,  and also  request for it during the  family allocation process.

The gorilla family allocation procedure.

Trekkers assemble at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi every morning to receive a briefing from park officials, after which visitors are assigned to one of the habituated gorilla families in this pristine park.  The gorilla family allocation process   depending on interests, age, physical ability or any previous trekking experience.

The park provides few permits, only eight visitors per gorilla family per day. Individuals of 15 years and above are eligible to acquire these permits at $1500 each. This limitation helps the gorillas to be more relaxed animals (less stressed) and their natural   home is preserved.
Each group of hikers is led by competent trackers and rangers who are familiar with the habitats and the behavior of the gorilla family they have been assigned.

Prior to the family allocation, trackers go to the forest first to locate where the gorillas spent the previous night. They later communicate to the park center officials using radio calls. This work done by the early morning trackers helps  the guides at the headquarters to group the trekkers rightly , for example the disabled, elderly and  first-time hikers are referred to the nearest gorilla family. This communication also enable the lead guides, porters and trekkers to locate the gorilla family so easily.

Gorilla families in volcanoes national park.

Volcanoes national park   has different families that are open for daily tracking across different locations in the park and are often named after the dominant silverbacks and nearby landmarks. Some of the gorilla groups include:

Sabinyo family: This is one of the oldest and most popular family commonly spotted in the northeast part of the park on the slopes of mount Sabinyo.

Agashya Family: This family was first referred to as Group 13 because of the 13 members it had during habituation. the name Agashya was got from the leading dominant silverback and   is commonly spotted in the Central parts of the park.

Susa Family:  It is one of the most famous and largest gorilla families in the park residing in the high-altitude slopes of Mount Karisimbi. this family is said to have been studied by Dian Fossey. The family provides lengthy, challenging but rewarding treks due to its size.

Susa A family: This group broke away from original Susa family. It has few members, also found in the higher altitudes of Mount Karisimbi,

Amahoro family: It is a peaceful and calm group as its name states” Amahoro”. Treks to this family are often longer but less steep hikes. The group is often sighted at the lower slopes of Mount Bisoke. It’s led by Ubumwe silverback.

Umubano family: This group split from Amahoro family with the lead of Charles as the dominant silverback and lives in higher altitudes of Mount Bisoke. Trekking to this group is a  bit strenuous.

Kwitonda family:  This is a large family that originally lived in DR Congo but later came to Rwanda with the leadership of four silverbacks. The family now inhabits the slopes of Mount Mhabura and it got its name from its late Silverback Kwitonda.

Hirwa family: this is a family of 16 members that are always spotted roaming between mount Sabinyo and Gahinga. This family derives its name of the luck of being the only one where twin gorilla babies were produced.’Hirwa means luck”.

Bwenge family:  This is a group of 11 members that are easily spotted on the lower slopes of mount Bisoke, led by Bwenge as the dominant silverback. this group provides easy and shorter treks.

Karisimbi Family: This is a family of 16 members that broke away from Susa group and at times its referred to Susa B.  This family is currently the hardest to trek because it resides in the uppers slopes of Mount Karisimbi (at 4507m). It’s fit for those who opt for challenging hikes.

Igisha family: Is a newly habituated group commonly spotted in the central -eastern part of the park.

Titus family: This family was named after Titus, the only silverback that managed to survive during the time Dian Fossey was carrying out her research at the Karisoke research center. The family is easily spotted on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and Bisoke.

Gorilla families keep on increasing with time due to the participative conservation efforts.

Cost of Rwanda gorilla permit.

Gorilla permits in Rwanda are issued by Rwanda Development board (RDB) through authorised tour operators or Via RDB website. A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 for foreign non residents, $500 for foreign residents and $200 for Rwandans and East African citizens.

When to visit Volcanoes national park for gorilla tracking

Because mountain gorillas are less affected by seasonal changes, tracking them can be done at any time of the year. Tourists should select a tracking date in a month depending on your interests and budget. The most appropriate time should be just after the rains have ended when the vegetation is still green. Getting the right time may not  be easy but Months from June to September and December to February are considered the best  for gorilla tracking.