Katwe Gorilla Group
Katwe gorilla group is one of the newest gorilla groups. Availed for tourism in Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The Katwe gorilla group acquired its name from the hill. Where their habituation took place and it’s from this hill where they always find food. The gorilla family headed by Mahaane who is the dominant silverback.
Buhoma region is one of the most sought after gorilla trekking sectors in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This is because, it was the first region where gorilla trekking experience started. And the first group of tourists visited Mubare gorilla group in 1993. In addition to this rich history, the Buhoma sector in the northern part of Bwindi has developed so fast. It also has many optional activities and Lodges of different categories.
Another reason that makes Buhoma sector one of the favorite regions in Bwindi impenetrable Forest National Park is that it has the lowest level when it comes to altitude of Bwindi. This therefore makes it look much easier to trek gorillas of Buhoma compared to other regions. Buhoma sector is also the closest sector to Ruhija in the Eastern part of Bwindi and because of that. Visitors can stay in Buhoma Lodges and then trek the gorillas in Ruhija sector.
Also from Buhoma, visitors interested in Wildlife viewing. Drive for 2 to 3 hours to reach Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here they have an opportunity of searching for the tree climbing lions of Ishasha sector and also enjoying a mind-blowing boat cruise on the Kazinga channel in the northern sector of Mweya.
Initially, the Buhoma sector situated in the Northern part of Bwindi composed of 3 groups namely; Mubare the first ever opened for gorilla trekking in Uganda in 1993, Rushegura and Habinyanja gorilla groups. The addition of Katwe gorilla group makes Buhoma sector a home to 4 gorilla trekking families.
Like other gorilla families, Katwe gorilla group took 3 years to successfully open for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda. Opened for trekking in 2018 by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) officials. At the same time, the Christmas gorilla group in Nkuringo sector also opened for tourism. Today, Buhoma sector has 32 gorilla permits. Available for eligible persons above 15 years of age to book while on a Uganda gorilla safari.
It should be noted that each habituated gorilla family in Uganda is supposed to be trekked by a maximum number of 8 people. Since Buhoma has been having only 3 habituated mountain gorilla groups which are; Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushegura. The introduction of Katwe gorilla group thereafter increased on the number of permits available for this sector. Tourists can therefore take advantage of the increased gorilla trekking permits to visit these gentle giants in Buhoma region.
The Katwe group led by Silverback Katwe and it is comprised of 9 mountain gorillas, these range from females, blackbacks and infants to a dominant silverback.