The Kwitonda gorilla group is believed to have been formed by a silverback that migrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Rwanda in 2003. It formed the new family in the new neighborhood due to pressure from other gorilla families in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The name Kwitonda originally came from the dominant silverback in this group. Akarevuro, who was young in the monarchy of Kwitonda, has since taken over the leadership after the death of Kwitonda.
The two other silverbacks in the group, Kigoma and Magumu, also accepted that Akarevuro had taken over the leadership of the group. Kwitonda was found dead at the age of 40 in 2012, and rangers reported that his health had begun to worsen, with pressure from the young gorillas also affecting him.
Doctors concluded that he died a natural death due to old age, and his body was found 10 days after his death in an unknown place after he had disappeared from family members. Before his death, Kwitonda had allowed other gorillas to mate with the females of the group in order to increase the number.
It is also believed that he knew he wasn’t strong enough to lead the group yet the group needed to grow due to his deteriorating health. By allowing this, he strengthened the family bonds, and every member became closer to each other.
In normal circumstances, a mountain gorilla family is led by only one silverback who definitely has all the rights to mate with other female members of the group. This was unusual for Kwitonda, and so the young males remained intact in the group.
This family is the second-largest gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park because it has 33 members, including 2 silverbacks, 3 blackbacks, 9 adult females, 2 sub-adult males, 6 juveniles, and 10 infants.
This family inhabits an area between Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo on the border between Rwanda and Uganda. Kwitonda was known for his relaxed attitude towards fellow gorillas and humans alike. While on your gorilla tour to Rwanda, you are advised to carry appropriate trekking attire such as strong trekking shoes, long-sleeved khaki or green shirt/blouse, a pair of trousers, a hat, waterproof jacket, and more.
