Mishaya Gorilla Family in Rushaga Sector of Bwindi
Mishaya Gorilla Family is a gorilla group found in the southern Rushaga Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The group is named from Mishaya, a silverback in the group who quit Nshongi group with a few female gorillas to form his own family. Mishaya, the only adult male in the group managed to pick members from other groups in the region to grow the number to 12 gorilla members comprising of 3 juveniles. At the time of the group formation, Mishaya is reported to have fought hard other neighboring groups.
At one time, a non-habituated black back was spotted in the area and the fight ensued leading to some members being wounded. Serious wounds were seen on Mishaya himself and an infant was as well injured. Fortunately, the park veterinarians came to the help of the two gorillas.
Since the group is found in the south of Bwindi forest, you will have to stay in lodges around the region or Kisoro town to be able to connect to the park easily the next day. You need to book a gorilla permit to trek gorillas of Mishaya group. You are advised to book a permit early enough as Uganda gorilla permits are competitively bought for any period of the year. Rushaga being in the south of the park, it can be accessed by flying into Rwanda and do gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali. Anyone coming from Kigali to Bwindi, has to visit gorilla groups of Rushaga and Nkuringo sector or those of Ruhija region and not Buhoma since its far. With the 3 day gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi, you can also start the trips from Entebbe by flying to Kisoro and transfer to the park. Or else, with the option of driving by road from Kampala, you can very well track gorillas of any sector of Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Mishaya Gorilla Family Members:-
- Mishaya, the dominant silverback
- Bakunzi, the adult female
- Mwiza, the adult female
- Rutaro, a juvenile
- Mize, a juvenile
- Mwiza Baby, 1 an infant
- Mwiza baby 2 an infant
- Bakunzi baby, an infant
- 3 unknown infants