The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family in Mgahinga National Park.

Mgahinga National Park is situated in the Kisoro area of south-western Uganda. One of the tiniest national parks, it’s famous for golden monkey and gorilla tracking. The park has a total size of 33.7km2 and was gazetted in 1991 after the British government designated it as a game sanctuary. It was established to safeguard the mountain gorillas that live outside of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park. Visit the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family for a wholesome gorilla tracking experience.

In Mgahinga National Park, Nyakakezi is a location where the gorillas have access to a lot of tasty food. The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is the only completely habituated gorilla group in Uganda, and it is well known for gorilla tracking throughout the nation. The Nyakagezi family was well-known for moving across the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, but they eventually settled in Uganda in a national park. It has 9 members: 1 child, 2 newborns, 2 adult females, and 4 silverbacks. For a while, the group was commanded by the silverback bugingo, but Mark eventually took control with help from the mafia Ndungutse and Bugingo. Rukundo, nshuti, a female adult, and Fred and nshuti baby, two baby gorillas.

The oldest silverback, known as Bugingo, is said to be more than 54 years old. Despite the fact that in most situations when a dormant silver back is overthrown, he is exiled from the family, dies in solitude, or finds sanctuary in other gorilla groups, it is an unusual and fascinating truth about this family that bugingo still resides with them. The family is so entertaining and fun, according to the tour guides, that many people return time and time again.

Based on the fact that it likes a limited range of eating, nesting, leisure, and entertainment, Nyakagezi is one of the simplest to follow. It occasionally pays a visit to its counterparts in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park since its native range reaches national borders with that country. There is a 95% possibility of encountering the gorilla family while following mountain gorillas because they have made their home in the national park since 2012.

The greatest times to go hiking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are during the dry seasons when the routes are clear. Gorilla tracking begins in the morning, when trackers leave Ntebeko in search of these enormous primates. Visitors are urged to feel free to ask any questions they may have of the knowledgeable park rangers who work there concerning gorillas. Due to the strenuous hiking required for the tracking, one must be in good physical condition.

No one with a contagious illness, such as the flu, is allowed. You must keep at least 5 metres (yards) away from the gorillas, and flash photography is absolutely forbidden. A good pair of waterproof gumboots, rain gear, sunscreen, an insect repellent camera, food, and beverages are all necessary for a better experience.

The distance between Kampala and the park, 540 kilometres, is travelled in 8 hours, without including break stops, through Kabale and Kisoro. Flights may be scheduled from Kampala’s Kajansi airport or the international airport in Entebbe. Tourists are guaranteed lodging in Ntebeko, and accommodations in Kisoro town include the Mubano Guest House, Mgahinga Safari Lodge, simple cottages, and a camp area.

The beautiful scenery, flora, and fauna, as well as the people of Kisoro, especially the original natives “the batwa,” the bafumbira, who are primarily farmers, all draw tourists to Mgahinga National Park in addition to the gorillas. Other species that draw visitors include birds, golden monkeys, buffaloes, among others.

Because of their fascinating character, the Nyakagezi gorilla family has drawn many return visitors to Mgahinga National area. As the only habituated gorilla family in the area, they provide visitors with an unparalleled gorilla experience.