Gorilla Families in Mgahinga National Park
Updated 24th February 2026.
Gorilla Families in Mgahinga National Park: How many gorilla families are in Mgahinga? Mgahinga National Park is one of the two gorilla parks found in Uganda and one out of four national parks where mountain gorilla trekking takes place in the entire world.
However, Mgahinga Park sits in the southwestern region of Uganda in the Kisoro district bordering Virunga National Park –Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park Rwanda, estimated about 8 to 9 hours’ drive to access the main destination. Another option, you can be able to access the park by use of a domestic flight –Aerolink Uganda and Bar Aviation from Entebbe International Airport to fly you to the nearby local airstrip ‘’Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip’’
In general, Mgahinga National Park boasts over 100 endangered mountain gorillas with two habituated gorilla families: Nyakagezi and Hirwa.
Nyakagezi Gorilla Family
Nyakagezi is the main habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park that is available for gorilla trekking on daily basis. More so, Nyakagezi is a place within the park where the gorilla family was first sighted by the trackers. Since the park is close to other gorilla destinations, this Nyakagezi gorilla group used to migrate to the neighboring destinations of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and due to its behavior of migrating from one place to another, made some visitors get afraid of booking a gorilla trekking permit because they were not sure of viewing the gorilla family as we talk today Nyakagezi is no longer on movements.
The Nyakagezi was habituated in 1991 after it was gazette as a national park and it was officially open for tourism in 1994. Before the gorilla family was led by Bugingo silver who was succeeded by Mark after taking on leadership Bugingo who still exists in the group and was named Mzee which signifies elder. Bugingo is not like other silverbacks who become loners after being overpowered.
Bugingo silverback stayed in the group and can’t imagine that he is about 56 years of age something that impresses several tourists to visit the Nyakagezi gorilla family quite rewarding. Today Mark silver leads the group with his brother mafia who is the assistant and the gorilla family has 10 members including 5 silverbacks, namely Mark, Mafia, Rukundo, Ndugutse, and Bugingo, 2 adult females, namely Nshuti and Nyiramwiza and 3 Youngster like Fred, baby Nshuti and Mutagamba.
The Nyakagezi gorilla group is one of the easiest gorilla groups to trek that lives in lowland areas of the park unlike other gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park which live on steep slopes.
Hirwa gorilla family
Hirwa group is the second Gorilla family that can be visited in Mgahinga. This group split from Susa gorilla family, which lives on the Rwandan side of the mountain, because of misunderstandings between the silverbacks, Munyinga, and Susa – the family head and dominant leader of the Susa group, and thus, Munyinga broke away with 2 adult females to begin his own family, Hirwa.
This family had more than 17 individuals, but sadly, 3 adult females and 1 infant silverback were struck by lighting and the group now comprises 13 members, which are visited by tourists on gorilla safaris in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Cost of gorilla permits in Mgahinga National Park
There are only 16 gorilla trekking permits available to visitors each day because only 8 people are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family.
A gorilla trekking permit in Mgahinga National Park costs USD 800 for foreign nonresidents, USD 600 for foreign residents, and UGX300,000 per person for East African Citizens.
Uganda gorilla permits can be booked either directly through ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a reputable tour operator. However, we advise travelers to book their gorilla permits 3 to 6 months before their date of arrival in Uganda to avoid disappointment.
The best time to go for gorilla trekking tours in Uganda is during the dry season, which starts from June to September and December to February.
Mgahinga National Park –Gorilla trekking starts early with a briefing about rules and regulations at Ntebeko park headquarters. After the briefing, you will be divided into 8 individuals to each assigned habituated gorilla family. You just need to be fit in the body to make your hike successful.
Gorilla trekking activity can take about 30 to 7 hours, depending on where they were last viewed the previous day. Once the gorilla family is allocated, you will be allowed one hour with them as learn about their rewarding lifestyle as well as photography.
Mgahinga National Park is the ultimate gorilla destination to trek the mountain gorillas. Other activities you can combine with gorilla trekking here include: a nature walk that allows you to explore the park’s hidden treasures as you enjoy fresh air, and visit the Batwa trails, among others.
