Habinyanja Gorilla Group
Habinyanja Gorilla Group is one of the interesting habituated gorilla groups in Buhoma sector. North of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The group derived its name from a Rukiga word “Nyanja” meaning “water body”. This is simply because the group was first spotted near a small river. The habituation of the Habinyanja Gorilla group began in 1997. And later opened for trekking in 1999 making it one of the oldest groups in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park.
The Habinyanja group one of the most fascinating gorilla groups to trek. Because of the endless drama and power struggles associated with the members of this family. When it was first spotted, the group was led by Mugurusi meaning “old male” in the local Rukiga language. Mugurusi led a big group comprising of up to 30 individuals which is a rare case. With gorilla groups whether habituated or unhabituated.
Mugurusi’s reign was characterized by power struggles even after his death. The other 3 silverbacks that also lived in the group later fought to take control of the family. They were Makara which means charcoal, Rwansigazi which means youthful and Mwirima which means darkness.
Rwansigazi was the most qualified candidate. But because Mwirima was equally grown-up at the time Mugurusi died, there were succession struggles. Surprisingly, these 2 silverbacks shared power for many years, however, this couldn’t go on forever as the 2 silverbacks decided to peacefully separate and divide the group into two which was in 2002.
Gorillas that preferred to explore and adventure followed Rwansigazi. Whereas those that took pleasure in ranging within a small area went with Mwirima. Rwansigazi’s group maintained the name Habinyanja whereas Mwirima’s group became Rushegura.
As years went on, Rwansigazi became older and tired then decided to hand over the leadership of the group to Makara and together with the other 18 members range over an extensive area in Buhoma sector. The most interesting thing is that even when Habinyanja and Rushegura groups meet, they don’t fight. Other gorilla groups in Buhoma are therefore Rushegura, Mubare and Katwe.
It is not news for such large groups to break, the split gives rise to a new gorilla group and sometimes can be joined by other individuals that were rejected by other groups or other solitary gorillas. However, even when they split, these primates maintain the brotherhood and don’t fight against former group individuals in case they meet.
Tourists trekking the Habinyanja group may take about 3 to 4 hours and it is better if they spent a night at a lodge around Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The adult females headed by the shred alpha female known Kisho.