Trekking Mountain Gorillas in Volcano National Park is a rewarding experience and is a prime activity in Rwanda. Volcanoes National Park is situated in northwestern Rwanda and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda which known as the paradise of the rare and endangered mountain gorilla and golden monkeys. The Park sits on an area of 160 km2 covered in rainforest and bamboo in the northern part of Ruanda in Rwanda, gorilla trekking takes place in Musanze (former Ruhengeri). Volcano National Park has 10 habituated Mountain Gorilla groups in the park and 8 permits are allocated per group making availability of 80 permits per day, such gorilla family includes Susa, Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Agashya, Umubano, Kwitonda, Hirwa, Karisimbi, Ugenda, Bwenge, and Titus Family
Amahoro gorilla family
Amahoro Gorilla family currently resides on the slopes of Mountain Visoke and has about 18 members with 2 Silverbacks. This group is quite hard to track as the terrain to the slopes of this mountain is strenuous.
Agashya gorilla Family
Agashya family is located in Mountain Sabyinyo with about 27 members with one dominant Silverback; Agashya Family is formerly known as group 13 but recently changed its name. This group got its name due to the initial number of the 13 individuals that started the group.
Umubano gorilla Family
Umubano gorilla Family is located on the slopes of Mountain Visoke with 13 members including 2 dominate Silverbacks, Umubano gorilla group was formed by members of the Amahoro family after one of its Silverbacks called Charles split off to form his own group.
Susa family (Susa A)
Susa Gorilla family is the biggest Mountain Gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park with over 33 members and 2 Silverbacks. Susa family is the first family Dian Fossey studied and it has an amazing gorilla twins
Sabyinyo gorilla Family
Sabyinyo gorilla family has 13 members and 2 Silverbacks. Sabyinyo gorilla family is usually roaming on the slopes of Mountain Sabinyo and this makes it relatively easy to track.
Kwitonda gorilla family
Kwitonda gorilla group is located on the slopes of Mountain Muhabura with a huge number of 23 including 4 Silverbacks. It inhabits on the slopes of Mountain Muhabura and it got its name from the late dominant silverback called Kwitonda.
Hirwa gorilla family
Hirwa gorilla family is located between the mountains of Mount Gahinga and Sabyinyo with 16 members with one Silverback. Hirwa gorilla family is the newest group and It was formed by members from the Sabyinyo family and group 13 but later on more members joined to increase the tally to 16.
Karisimbi gorilla family
Karisimbi gorilla family is located on the slopes of Mountain Karisimbi on an altitude of 4507m making it the hardest family to trek with 16 members with one silverback. Karisimbi gorilla family is also known as Susa B after the split away from Susa A.
Ugenda gorilla family
Ugenda gorilla family is located on Mount Bisoke with 11 members including 2 Silverbacks. Ugenda is a local word means mobile which partly relates to this group’s mobility.
Bwenge gorilla Family
Bwenge gorilla Family is located on the slopes of Mount Visoke with 11 members with one silverback and is the easiest family to trek among other families on Volcano National Park
Titus gorilla Family
Titus gorilla Family is located on the slopes of Karisimbi and Visoke volcanoes and it was born during the time Dian Fossey was still carrying out her research at Karisoke Research Center.
There are many more Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda and this number keeps on increasing based on the great conservation success in Rwanda. However, above are the only habituated gorillas groups that inhabit Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.