The Bikingi gorilla family is found in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda.
This family is one of the newer groups in this sector, known for its calm and peaceful members.
The Bikingi gorilla family was habituated in 2012 after some members broke away from the Mishaya gorilla family.
The family derives its name, Bikingi, from an area in Bwindi where the members were first spotted.
The first silverback that led this family was called Bikingi.
However, after his death, he was succeeded by another dominant silverback, also named Bikingi, who leads the family to date.
Bikingi currently consists of 15 members, including one silverback, five adult females, two sub-adults, two juveniles, and five infants.
Trekking the Bikingi Gorilla Family
Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning at the park headquarters, where tourists are given a briefing. Tourists are required to have fully paid gorilla permits.
After the briefing, they are grouped into teams of 8 people and led into the dense forest to trek the gorillas.
The search for gorillas can take between 30 minutes and 6 hours, and once the gorillas are found, tourists spend one hour with them.
Cost of Bikingi Gorilla Permits
- USD 800 for foreign non-residents
- USD 700 for foreign residents
- UGX 300,000 for East African citizens
The best time to trek is during the dry season, from June to August and December to February.
During these months, the trails are dry, allowing for easier trekking.
How to Access the Bikingi Gorilla Family
Tourists can travel by car from Kampala or Entebbe to Kabale, where they connect to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The journey takes about 9 to 10 hours, covering approximately 340 km.
Tourists coming from Rwanda can connect to the park via the Cyanika border, with a 3 to 4-hour drive to the park.
Tourists who prefer air transport can book flights from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip and then connect to the Rushaga sector by car.
