The Oruzogo gorilla family is found in the Ruhija sector in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, in the districts of Kabale, Kanungu, and Kisoro.
The park is home to almost half of the endangered mountain gorillas remaining in the world, about 459 individuals.
The Oruzogo gorilla family was habituated in 2009 and then opened for trekking in 2011 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
The Oruzogo gorilla family gets its name from a plant known as Oruzogoto in the local language.
The Oruzogo gorilla family was one of the first to be habituated in this sector. At the time of its formation, it had 19 members under the leadership of Tibirikwata, a dominant silverback, but later the family split, and Kasimali left with some members.
The family currently has 15 members under the leadership of Bakwate, a dominant silverback.
Other members include Busungu, a young silverback; Mutesi, Kakobe, Nyakina, and Burundi, which are females. The blackbacks are Kaganga, Bwoba, and Otaka. The juveniles are Karimi, Kashura, and Kirombo. The infants are Kanywani, Katoto, and Buchura.
Trekking the Oruzogo Gorilla Family
Gorilla trekking starts very early in the morning at 6 a.m., as gorillas are usually very active in the morning. Tourists head to the park headquarters, where they are briefed about the rules and regulations. For example, children under 15 years are not allowed to trek.
Tourists are then grouped into a group of eight people and led by a well-trained park ranger to search for the gorillas in the ancient forest.
Trekking takes about 30 minutes to 6 hours as tourists search for the gorillas and then spend 1 hour in the presence of the gorillas.
Cost of Oruzogo 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 gorillas is during the dry season, which runs from June to August and December to February. This is because the trails are not slippery or muddy, making movement easier.
The Oruzogo gorilla family is peaceful, and tourists can explore this family, creating unforgettable memories.
