The Nshongi family lives in the southern part of Bwindi. Its name comes from the local phrase “Omushongi Gwoboki,” which means honey. This is because the family was first seen near River Nshongi, which has a deep color like honey.
The group was habituated in 2007 and opened for trekking in 2009. At that time, it was the largest habituated family in Bwindi, with 36 members. Later, the family split when Mishaya left with some members to form the Mishaya family. In 2012, another split happened after a fight, and Bweza formed his own family. Gorilla family numbers often change because of natural factors.
Trekking the Nshongi Gorilla Group
Trekking the Nshongi family starts early in the morning and can take between 2–8 hours. Only 8 healthy people are allowed to visit the group each day. Once found, trekkers spend one hour observing and taking photos.
Gorilla permits must be booked at least 3 months in advance, especially in peak season. A gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person, while a gorilla habituation permit costs $1,500 per person.
Bwindi is the only park that offers gorilla habituation. This process takes 2–3 years, where a wild gorilla family is visited daily until it is used to humans. In the Rushaga sector, tourists can join rangers and researchers during habituation. Unlike trekking, habituation allows up to 4 hours with the gorillas.
There are over 15 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Apart from being home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla population, the park also has about 120 species of mammals, more than 13 species of primates, 341 species of birds, 400 types of flowering plants, 200 tree species, and 220 butterfly species.
Mountain gorillas have a very low birth rate, which makes them vulnerable. Female gorillas are fertile for only 1–2 days each month. Once pregnant, the gestation period lasts about 8 and a half months. After giving birth, a female usually takes 4–6 years before producing another baby. In some families, silverbacks practice infanticide, killing young male gorillas to prevent future competition.
Gorillas spend most of their day foraging. Around midday, they rest, and this is when mothers groom their babies. In the late afternoon, they feed again until evening, around 7 pm, when they build nests for the night.
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