The Habinyanja gorilla group was officially opened for trekking in 1999, making it the second oldest habituated gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, after Mubare. Habituation began in 1997 and took two years to complete before the first tourists visited, a relatively quick process compared to some of Bwindi’s other families.
Naming and Origins
The name Habinyanja comes from “Nyanja,” a word in the local Kiga dialect meaning “place of water,” a reference to a small river in the forest where the family was first spotted during early tracking efforts.
A Large Founding Family
At the time of habituation, Habinyanja was led by silverback Mugurusi, whose name means “old man” in Rukiga, commanding an unusually large group of 30 members, considerably bigger than most families at habituation. When Mugurusi eventually died of old age, a succession dispute broke out among his sons. Four silverbacks stood in line to potentially lead the family: Rwansigazi (“the youthful boy”), Mwirima (“darkness”), and Makara (“charcoal”), among others.
The 2002 Split
Rwansigazi was expected to succeed his father, but Mwirima had grown strong enough by that point to challenge for leadership too. The two shared influence over the family for a period before eventually agreeing to separate rather than continue competing over the same territory. In 2002, the group split peacefully: members drawn to a wider-ranging lifestyle followed Rwansigazi, while those preferring a smaller home range stayed with Mwirima. The group that remained with Rwansigazi kept the Habinyanja name, while Mwirima’s group became known as Rushegura, now one of Buhoma’s other established families.
Family Structure Today
Habinyanja now has 18 members, led by silverback Makara alongside dominant female Kisho. Other members include blackback Maraya, along with adult females Nyabuche, Binyonko, Rukundo, Rugyendo, and Nyamuhango. Mizayo, a former member, was killed by poachers. Ruyombo is a sub-adult female, Kavuyo a sub-adult male, and Hamusini, Malaika, and Elisa are juveniles.
Trekking the Habinyanja Family
Habinyanja is one of five habituated gorilla families that can be trekked from Buhoma, alongside a sixth, Binyindo, reserved primarily for research. Reaching the starting point sometimes requires a 30 to 45 minute drive to the trailhead at Nyamishaba village, depending on where the family is located that day, so trekkers should be prepared for some variation in the length of the day overall.
With one of Bwindi’s more eventful leadership histories and a direct link to the origins of the Rushegura family, Habinyanja offers a trek shaped by real family history. Book your gorilla trekking permit with our team today, and we’ll help you plan the trek alongside the rest of your Bwindi itinerary.
