Tracking the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family on the Volcanoes in Uganda
The Nyakagezi Gorilla Group the only Habituated Family To Visit In Mgahinga Gorilla Park
The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is the only habituated of the Gorilla Families found in Mgahinga Gorilla Park 
where you track the Gentle Giants on the Mountains that Cook, the Virunga Volcanoes, part of the Virunga Massif. There are a total of 80 plus Gorillas on the Ugandan side of the Virunga Volcanoes, 10 of them make up the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family Group.
The Nyakegezi Gorilla Group is the most misrepresented Gorilla Family on the internet.
Presently the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is home in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla Park and has been there since the son Mark, the now leading Silverback took over from his Father Bugingo along with his brother Mafia.
What you find on various websites, including Tour Operators is that the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is not home in Mgahinga Gorilla Park but on an excursion in Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park.
That information regarding the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family is outdated and that tour operator, individual, has not updated their website. That is past history and not the current reality. It goes back to when Bugingo, now retired, was the leader of the Nyakagezi Family.
Even the esteemed Uganda Wildlife Authority Website reflects the past and not present reality. Our website is
not just about selling Safaris but updated and correct and current information.
Incorrect information regarding the Nyakagezi Family is standard on forums such as TripAdvisor where often self-appointed armchair experts dispense erroneous information.
Since Mark has taken over the leadership of the family, the Nyakagezi Family has been and currently is found and tracked in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. The Nyakagezi family not being in Mgahinga Gorilla Park and in Rwanda on holiday.
That information goes back six years plus is not the current reality. Should this change, we would immediately update our website to reflect that.
The Nyakagezi family has had permanent resident status in Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla Park for over six years. We would not be offering Gorilla Safaris to Mgahinga Gorilla Park if the Nyakagezi Family is not there. Currently, there is an additional family that is being tracked in Mgahinga Gorilla Park, which is a recent development in 2019, providing a Plan-B should the Wanderlust Spirit suddenly grab the Nyakagezi Gorilla Group.
Meet the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family – the most misrepresented Gorilla Family on the Internet:
The Nyakagezi Gorilla has become a favorite with many Gorilla Trekkers that enjoy tracking gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes. There are three Virunga Volcanoes inside of Mgahinga Gorilla Park, and the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family can be reliably trekked inside of of the park.
What makes the Nyakagezi Family unique is that there are currently Five Silverbacks in the Family. Two matured from Blackbacks into Silverbacks which increased the number of silverbacks from three to five.
The word “Nyakagezi” is indicative of the area in Mgahinga Gorilla Park that the family is found in. This is where they forage consistently forage for food.
Trekking time usually is four-hours. A moderate level of fitness is suggested. The area where the Nyakagezi family roams is more open, making it ideal for photographers who want clear Gorilla Pictures without any obstruction.
The Nyakagezi family was habituated initially in 1991 in Mgahinga Gorilla Park after the park was established. In
1994 visitors were allowed to trek the family. For years, the leader of the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family was the now over 50-year-old Bugingo. Bugingo abdicated, was replaced, usurped by his son Mark. Mark was and is assisted by his brother, Mafia. Bugingo has taken on the mantle of Mzee (older wise person), the elderly leader in retirement and happily plays the role of grandfather at large. This is highly unusual.
The norm is that former leaders become loners. The other now silverbacks are Ndugutse and Rukundo. They were the only Blackbacks in the group. There are also two females and children in the family.
Five silverbacks in one family are impressive. What is even more amazing is that they seemingly get along with one another. There are two Females and three youngsters. The group may change in number or size over the next year or two. As with human families, so it is with gorilla families. There are births, deaths, divorce, and feuds that lead to separation. Things change but right now is an ideal time to visit the Nyakagezi Gorilla Group with more Silverbacks than most other groups in Uganda’s other Gorilla Park, Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Why Trek the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family in Mgahinga Gorilla Park?
The Nyakagezi Gorilla Family Trekking Advantage-What, our Clients, have told us
- Easy Access from Kigali, Rwanda – 3-Hours Drive Time
- Fewer Trekkers than either in Rwanda or Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda.
- More Silverbacks than other Gorilla Families.
- Most often more open viewing of the Gorilla Family with less obstruction
- 4-Hour Trek-1-Hour with the Nyakagezi Family
- $900 less for Permits than in Rwanda – $800 less after July 1, 2020
- Affordable Luxury Lodging with more extras at Mount Gahinga Lodge
- Trek Gorillas in the 3rd Must Photograph Destination in the World
- Add-On Golden Monkey Trekking, Volcano Climbing, Hiking, the Batwa Cultural Trail.
- Safe and Secure Gorilla Trekking
Why we like the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family:
Why offer a Gorilla Trekking Safari with the Nyakagezi Gorilla Family in Mgahinga Gorilla Park? We know Uganda, we live and work here. We know all about Mountain Gorillas, they are our passion, and we are Gorilla Encounter Matchmaker. A Gorilla Tour Operator in Uganda. We know a good thing when we have trekked the Nyakagezi Family ourselves. We know all about the Nyakagezi Family myths and fables floating on the internet, and hopefully, the above has debunked a few for you.
We think and know from experience that the Nyakagezi Gorilla Trekking Experience is precisely what many discerning African Travelers are looking for. An authentic experience, that magical encounter with a gorilla family without the crowds.
Many of our Clients take it even further, they choose to trek Gorillas in both Mgahinga Gorilla Park with the Nyakagezi Family and with another in the southern area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
