Oruzogo Gorilla Family in Ruhija Sector of Bwindi National Park

Oruzogo Gorilla Family is one of the gorilla groups found in Ruhija gorilla trekking sector in the eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Ruhija, one of the 4 gorilla safari sectors of Bwindi has 4 gorilla families which include Oruzogo, Bitukura, Mukiza and Kyaguriro gorilla group. Kyaguliro gorilla family is dedicated for research purpose. In the worst case scenario, Oruzogo family can also be visited from Buhoma region. When you stay in Buhoma or Ruhija, visiting this family is possible even it would necessitate you to drive for about 1 to 2 hours to arrive at the trekking point. Oruzogo family was opened up for trekking in 2012 after 3 years of gorilla habituation process. The group was headed then by Tibirikwata as the dominant male. This group is solidly formidable in the Bwindi Forest and many tourists like visiting the family.

Oruzogo gorilla group has 17 members who include Mutesi or Birungi. Others are Busungu (short-tempered), Nyakiina,Kaganga (the giant one), Kashundwe, Otaka and Bwoba (coward). The list also has Karimi (tongue), Kiromba, Katooto (small), Kanywani(beloved), Kakobe who has monkey looks plus Buchura, the last born who later got two more young siblings after him.

Oruzogo Gorilla Family derives the name from a plant that is known as ‘Oruzogoto’ in the local Rukiga language. Silverback Bakwate is the leader of the family. The family is enormously exhilarating due to its playful youngsters who excite visitors trekking the group. In case you intend to track gorillas in this Ruhija sector, you need to book a gorilla permit early enough through your chosen tour operator. A Uganda gorilla permit is priced at USD 600, a rate ending in July 2020. Permits are available with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a body that takes reservation and issuance of the trekking cards.

Other Ruhija Gorilla Trekking Groups

Other Gorilla Families in Ruhija Region of Bwindi include Bitukura Gorilla Family, Kyaguliro Gorilla Group and Mukiza Gorilla Family. These families with differing number of members are distributed across the region. Altogether, there are 32 gorilla permits available in Ruhija sector where each has eight permits for trekking the giant primates.