Kwitonda Gorilla Group

Kwitonda gorilla group / family derives its name from the silverback Kwitonda in the group whose name means “Humble one” in Kinyarwanda. This gorilla family migrated from DR Congo and has never shown any signs of going back to Virunga national park.

Kwitonda gorilla family was one of the humblest silverbacks and it’s said that he migrated with his family from Virunga national park seeking peace in volcanoes national park. Kwitonda went miss from his family for several days as he ran away from the family because of pressure from other silverbacks and was found lying dead in September 2012, Kwitonda died at the age of 40 years old. Before Kwitonda’s death, he allowed other gorillas to mate with the females of the group.

Silverback dominating gorillas always don’t allow other silverbacks in the family to mate with females, he is the only one to mate with the group females but this was not so with silverback Kwitonda as he allowed other silverbacks in the family to mate with females and this built a good family bond between members of the family.

After the death of Kwitonda, Akarevuro who was young in the reign took over the leadership of the group, and the other two silverbacks in the group Kigoma and Magumu submitted, this is one of the hardest gorilla groups to trek as they keep on moving deep in the thick forests. This mountain gorilla family become popular in volcanoes national park for tourists to visit due to Kwitonda’s attitude towards other mountain gorillas and human beings as well and the group grew to 28 members making it the second-largest mountain gorilla family in volcanoes national park. Kwitonda mountain gorilla family settled in the area between mount Sabyinyo and Mount Gahinga.

What is the best time to trek the Kwitonda gorilla family?

Kwitonda gorilla family can be visited at any time of the year but the best time to trek this gorilla family is during the dry season which occurs from June to September and December to January. It’s during these months that the roads are passable and the trails in the park are dry.

Gorilla permits for Kwitonda Gorilla Group

Gorilla permits in volcanoes national park cost $1500 per person per trek and permits are sold to persons above age of 15. People with infectious diseases will not be allowed to trek.

What to pack for Kwitonda Gorilla Group trekking

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable forest national requires physical fitness and you need to come along with enough drinking water, energy-giving snacks, insect repellents, good waterproof hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, good quality camera garden gloves, long-sleeved clothes and much more