The Kyaguriro gorilla group lives in the Ruhija sector, in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and holds a distinct place among Bwindi’s gorilla families as the sector’s first habituated group, originally set aside purely for research. Habituation began in 1995, and for years the family remained largely closed to tourism, visited only occasionally by travelers interested in a research-focused encounter with a semi-habituated family.
A Research-Focused History
Kyaguriro was studied primarily by Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. It wasn’t formally opened for general trekking until 2015, as demand for gorilla permits across Bwindi continued to grow.
A Turbulent Leadership History
The family was originally led by silverback Zeus, named for his age, seniority, and commanding presence within the group. Zeus was eventually challenged and driven out by a rival, living out his remaining years alone in the forest before his death.
Leadership passed to silverback Rukina, though his time leading the group was cut short in April 2015, when he was killed by a lightning strike. This brought a younger silverback, Mukiza, to power. Mukiza’s leadership was later challenged by Rukara, a silverback from the neighboring Bitukura family, leading to an intense confrontation and, in May 2016, a full split of the group into two separate families.
The Split Into Kyaguriro A and B
Rukara took over what became known as Kyaguriro A, while Mukiza led away about 10 members to form Kyaguriro B. Rangers monitored both groups closely for signs of reconciliation, but the split proved permanent. Kyaguriro B remains reserved for ongoing research, while Kyaguriro A is open for trekking year-round.
Family Structure Today
Kyaguriro A currently has 15 members, including two silverbacks, and is typically found deep within the Ruhija forest.
With one of the more dramatic leadership histories of any Bwindi family, Kyaguriro A offers a trek shaped by real research and conservation 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.
