Nshongi Gorilla Group
Nshongi gorilla group / family is one of the 20 gorilla families that are found in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in southwestern Uganda. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park harbors the highest number of mountain gorillas living in the thick forests.
Other places to meet face to face with mountain gorillas are Mgahinga national park in southwestern Uganda, Virunga national park in the eastern DR Congo, and the volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
Rushaga sector is one of the beautiful sectors in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park with the highest number of habituated gorilla families and it takes you only 5-6 hours’ drive from, Kigali international airport.
The popular Nshongi gorilla family was the biggest habituated gorilla family in 2006 with 32 members, but just like other mountain gorilla families, there was misunderstanding within silverbacks that led to the group separating. The gorilla habituation of the Nshongi gorilla family started in 2001 and was opened up for tourism in 2009.
Nshongi mountain gorilla family gets its name from the Nshongi river where they were first spotted by rangers in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. And the river derives its name from the local word “Omushongi Gwooki” to mean “honey” it was named so because the river had a deep color similar to honey. The river was named so because the river had a deep color similar to honey. The group is located in a large forested area giving you a chance to spot other primates living in the forest.
In 2010 the silverbacks Mishaya broke away from the Nshongi gorilla family to from his own gorilla family and the group remained with 26 members, this paved way for other silverbacks to also have the group and it was not long before Bweza also decided to break away fin 2013 to begin his own gorilla family and the group was left with 18 members. Today Nshongi gorilla family is made up of only 7 individuals.
Splinters of Nshongi gorilla family
Mishaya gorilla family
Mishaya is one of the silverbacks who broke away from the Nshongi mountain gorilla family to form his own gorilla family, he also fought other gorilla families and grabbed females to add to his family. Mishaya is famous for beginning flight with other mountain gorilla groups that sustained him several injuries with a death of a 2-year-old infant one time.
In February 2014 Mishaya was found dead in the morning by trackers and his death is still mysterious up to date.
Bweza gorilla family
Bweza mountain gorilla family split from the Nshongi gorilla family in august 2012 to form his group after Mishaya also broke away to form his own gorilla family. Bweza gorilla family is dominated by the founder Bweza and the only silverback in the family of 12 individuals.
Cost of trekking Nshongi Gorilla Group in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park
Every tourist planning to visit Bwindi impenetrable national park for Nshongi gorilla group trekking has though of how much a gorilla permit costs. Well a gorilla permits costs $700 for trekking which is cheaper than $1500 of Rwanda and gorilla habituation experience permit in Uganda costs $1500. Gorilla permits can be obtained from Uganda wildlife authority offices in Kampala or at the park itself. You can also use a trusted tour operator to do for you everything from accommodation to transport to booking permits or you can organize yourself a gorilla safari and visit Nshongi gorilla group of Bwindi impenetrable national park. Money collected from selling gorilla permits a certain fraction is for the guides and rangers, another money is channeled to gorilla conservation as well as supporting local programs with an aim of improving the condition of local people living around the park. By buying a gorilla permit to track Nshongi gorilla group helps in protecting the gorillas and giving back to communities such as Batwa pygmies who have been affected by gorilla activities and changes by the government.
Gorilla permits for Bwindi impenetrable national park are on a high demand and its advised you book these permits months in advance to be sure most especially if you are planning to travel in peak season or dry season. You should be aware of the sector you are interested in visiting. Apart from a gorilla permit, you need to plan for transport, VISA and accommodation and it’s advised you travel with a friend to share costs.
Best Time To Track Nshongi Gorilla Group
Trekking Nshongi gorilla group in Bwindi impenetrable national park is always done throughout the year but the peak season is always the best time to visit the park. The peak season is actually the dry season and it happens in the months of December, January and February then it happens again in the months of June and august. The wet season is in the months of March to May and October to November and these months are good for gorilla habituation since the visitors in the park are few. Trekking gorillas in the rainy season is very difficult because of overgrown vegetation and the muddy trails.
