Katwe Gorilla Group – The Latest Gorilla Family in Buhoma Sector

Katwe gorilla group is one of the four habituated gorilla families found in Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Out of the 4 groups, Katwe gorilla family was the newest to be habituated for trekking by tourists. The other three families are Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura group totaling to 4 habituated gorilla families in Buhoma sector.  Katwe group has 7 members including 1 silverback, 4 female adults and 2 babies. The launch of Katwe gorilla family increased the number of gorilla permits for Buhoma region from 24 permits per day to 32 permits. Each gorilla family in Bwindi is apportioned 8 gorilla permits every day for visitors. The habituation of Katwe group began in 2015. Katwe gorilla unit get its name from the name of the top of the hill where the first habituation took place.

Katwe group went through a habituation process for 3 consecutive years. Habituation of gorillas is aimed at making them acquainted to human presence henceforth guaranteeing travelers of security and safety while with the gentle primate giants. The trekking of this gorilla family is ongoing.

Access to Buhoma

In case you need to track this group, you can access Buhoma area from Kabale town. Or else you may drive from Kampala to Rukungiri town and continue to Buhoma. The third option would be to fly from Entebbe to Bwindi, landing at Kihihi Airstrip from where you transfer to the park. There is availability of all categories of accommodation facilities which puts Buhoma on top position to be liked by gorilla trackers in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The safari lodges in Buhoma region include among Bwindi Forest Lodge, Engagi lodge, Mahogany Springs, Buhoma Lodge, Silverback lodge, Trackers Safari lodge and Buhoma Community Haven Lodge. These lodges offer nice food and comfortable sleeping services to guests at good prices.

Uganda gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park may be supplemented by other tour activities around the park. These include Batwa cultural trail, golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga forest plus forest strides and volcano hiking which make a safari an experience of lifetime.

In a broad-spectrum, Uganda is proud of the increase in the number of gorilla families in Bwindi. More groups mean more gorilla permits leading to substantial increase in tourism revenues, conservations programme and support to the local communities around the gorilla parks.