The Habinyanja gorilla group was one of the first gorilla groups to be habituated in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi in 1996. At the time of habituation, the family had over 25 members.
The name Habinyanja comes from a local word meaning “body of water.” The group was given this name because it was first seen near a swamp in Bwindi. At that time, it was led by silverback Mukurisi until his death.
After Mukurisi died, his two sons, Mwirima and Rwansigazi, shared leadership. However, they had different preferences. Rwansigazi liked to travel over a wide range, while Mwirima preferred to stay in a smaller area. This difference caused the group to split.
In 2002, Mwirima left peacefully with some members to form the Rushegura family, while Rwansigazi continued to lead Habinyanja. Later, Rwansigazi handed over leadership to silverback Makara, who is now the dominant leader. Today, the Habinyanja family has 19 members.
Trekking mountain gorillas requires physical fitness and the right gear for hiking in tropical forests. Essential items include hiking boots, raincoats and jackets, warm clothes, garden gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, plenty of drinking water, and energy snacks.
Bwindi can be visited throughout the year, but the best time to trek gorillas is during the dry seasons of June to August and December to February. During these months, the vegetation is less thick, making it easier to see the gorillas, and the trails are less muddy and slippery.
Gorillas are the world’s largest primates. They live in tropical forests of Central, West, and East Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species: Eastern gorillas and Western gorillas. Eastern gorillas include mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas, while Western gorillas include western lowland gorillas and cross river gorillas.
Gorillas are critically endangered because of habitat loss and poaching, although conservation efforts have helped their numbers slowly increase. Mountain gorillas also have a low birth rate. Females produce only 2–6 young in a lifetime. They have only 1–2 fertile days each month, and pregnancy lasts about eight and a half months.
Mountain gorillas live in family groups of 5–30 individuals, usually led by an alpha male silverback. The silverback is responsible for group safety, feeding times, resting periods, and where the group sleeps.
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