A statement well said is that gorilla trekking is an incredible experience that most tourists to Africa focus on. Families like the Karisimbi gorilla group are some of the many that you will trek. Despite its high cost, it’s a priority for thousands of travelers from all over the world to come and have face-to-face encounters with the endangered mountain apes in the forest.
These mighty apes of the forest only dwell in four African national parks positioned in the Virunga ranges and shared by three African countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In Uganda, gorillas are trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In D.R. Congo, it’s done in Virunga National Park, and in Rwanda, it’s done in Volcanoes National Park. Regardless of which country is visited, all gorilla trekking experiences are extremely thrilling.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, home to more than three of the eight Virunga volcanoes, has 12 habituated gorilla families. The Sabyinyo, Umubano, Agashya, Karisimbi, Amahoro, Kwitonda, Bwenge, Titus, Hirwa, and Susa families, Isimbi, etc., are all ready to be trekked by travelers to Rwanda all year long.
Just like the Mubare gorilla family in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Karisimbi is also the most visited gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park. It’s one of the focus gorilla groups that almost all trekkers look up to.
Called the Susa B gorilla group, the Karisimbi family occupies the upper slopes of Mount Karisimbi, the second-highest peak of the eight Virunga volcanoes and the highest in Rwanda. Trekking this specific group involves a hike to the higher slopes of Mount Karisimbi, walking through the rugged trails in the bamboo forest, avoiding thorny trees, and holding onto tree branches for support.
The group is currently led by the dominant silverback Nyagakangaga, an ambitious gorilla that would do anything to ensure that its family is at peace and in harmony. The family started in 2009 when it broke off from the original Susa family, hence the name Susa B family.
Nyagakangaga, the main silverback, split away from the Susa A group with 13 individuals to form his own group, which was named Susa B, and later in 2010 renamed Karisimbi because of the group’s settlement at the higher slopes of Mount Karisimbi.
The group today has 11 members, including one adult female, four silverbacks, one blackback, and two infants. Initially, the Karisimbi group had 15 individuals, but unfortunately, another silverback left to form another family together with some other new members.
Karisimbi still stands as the most thrilling gorilla family to trek in Volcanoes National Park. The hike to the top will black you out. It’s a trek that takes you close to the apes while also giving you the Mount Karisimbi climbing experience in one safari.
Is it a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda that you are planning? Consider trekking the Karisimbi gorilla family to have face-to-face encounters with the mighty apes in their natural habitats. Keep in mind that gorilla trekking in Rwanda can be accompanied by a cultural encounter at the Iby’Iwachu Cultural Center, golden monkey trekking, Musanze caves, and hiking to the top of the three volcanoes in the park.
