Bwindi Forest National Park and Uganda at large are celebrating the birth of a new baby gorilla to Mubare Gorilla Family in Buhoma sector north of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National park. The new baby was born to Businza one of the adult female gorillas in Mubare family on 16th October 2019. The good news was spread by wardens of Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park who found the mother gorilla with her little baby during their daily checks on gorilla families in this jungle forest. In his report, Mr. Peter Mbebwe the warden in Bwindi Forest confirmed that both baby and mother were doing well. “We celebrate a newborn in Mubare group. Mother Buzinza and baby in good shape”. Said, Peter. All travel operators and gorilla lovers in all parts of the world welcomed the news with great joy and celebration. The birth of a new baby has increased on the number of mountain gorillas in Mubare gorilla family and Bwindi Impenetrable forest as a whole. The joint effort by Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Tourism Board, the government and Ugandans at large is a reason behind mountain gorilla increase in Uganda. Recently, the status of mountain gorillas changed from “critically endangered” to “Endangered’ according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list. More so, the 2018 gorilla census in the Virunga conservation area indicated an increase in gorilla numbers from 880 to 1004. Altogether, the world has 36 gorilla families 18 in Uganda, 10 in Rwanda and 8 in Congo.
About Mubare Family
Mother gorilla with a baby
Located in the Buhoma sector north of Bwindi forest national park, Mubare is the oldest gorilla family in Uganda that was habituated in 1991 and opened for trekking in 1993 after 2 years of gorilla habituation by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Mubare gorilla family was named after the many piles of stones translated as “Amabare” in Rukiga where this gorilla family was first sited. The family resides a few meters away from Buhoma Park’s headquarter and is the most trekked gorilla family in this region. At times, Mubare gorilla family is sited at the banks of Mubare River, which flows through Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Ruhondeza was the first silverback gorilla family for Mubare family who unfortunately died in 2012 during a fight to defend his gorilla family from a wild attack. The attack on Mubare family by a wild gorilla group not only led to the death of Ruhondeza family but also the loss of other family members. In other words, Mubare family was split and left with only 5 members. Thanks to Kanyonyi, the current dominant silverback gorilla, who has seen the size of the Mubare gorilla family expand to 12 members at present. Kanyonyi heads a group of adult females, black backs, juveniles, and babies. Ruhondeza was buried at Bwindi forest headquarters in Buhoma and is still remembered for his great efforts as far as gorilla tourism in Uganda is concerned.
Other gorilla families in Buhoma sector
In addition to the joyous Mubare family, the Buhoma sector is home to other 3-gorilla families all-open for trekking. These include:
Habinyanja gorilla family
The family was habituated in 1997 named after a watery swamp where a gorilla group was first sited. Mugurusi was the first dominant silverback gorilla that commanded over 30 members. Habinyanja gorilla group is currently led by Makara silverback and it comprises the adult females, babies, black back and juveniles who together make your visit enjoyable and memorable.
Rushegura gorilla group
This gorilla group split from the Habinyanja family following the death of Mugurusi silverback. Among the members in Rushegura gorilla family include Katabazi, Kibande, Nyampazi, Kyirinvi, Buzinza, Kafuruka, Kanywanyi, Kalembezi karungi and Nyamunwa among others. Rushegura is one of the largest gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park. Also, the family lives in areas near the park headquarters hence easy to trek.
Katwe gorilla family
This is one of the recently habituated gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park.
Where to sleep in Buhoma sector
Travelers to Buhoma sector have an endless list of lodging facilities, which serve quality food and sleeping services at affordable rates. Among the top lodges in Buhoma sector include Buhoma gorilla lodge, Bwindi forest lodge, Mahogany Springs Lodge, Buhoma community camp, sanctuary gorilla forest camp and Lake Kitandara lodge among others. These lodges have professional and lovely staff that work together day and night to ensure quality and timely service delivery.
How to get to Buhoma sector
Buhoma sector is easily accessible from Kabale town through Kihihi. Short time travelers fly from kajjansi to Kihihi airstrip after which they drive shortly to the Buhoma sector. For those connecting from Rwanda, Katuna border is the appropriate entry pint for Rwanda Uganda gorilla safaris to Buhoma sector.
In general, Uganda celebrates the birth of a new baby gorilla to Mubare gorilla family in the Buhoma sector. The new baby has increased on the population of mountain gorillas in Uganda giving hope for sustainable Uganda gorilla safaris.
