The Sabyinyo gorilla group is led by silverback Guhonda and lives on the foothills of Mount Sabyinyo in Volcanoes National Park, in Rwanda’s Musanze province, in the country’s northwest. Volcanoes National Park protects over a quarter of the world’s mountain gorilla population across 12 habituated families, and Sabyinyo is one of the earliest groups to have been habituated in the park.
How the Family Formed
Sabyinyo’s history dates back to 1992, following the death of Group Thirteen’s lead silverback. A handful of adult females, including Ijisho, Gukunda, and Kampanga, left with two silverbacks to form a new group, later joined by additional females from Group Eleven. This new family eventually settled on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo, giving it its current name.
The group was originally known as Amavubi, Kinyarwanda for “wasps,” a reference to how difficult the family was to habituate in its early years. At that point it had three silverbacks: Guhonda, Ryango, and Ruhenyi.
Family Structure Today
Sabyinyo now has 18 members, including three silverbacks, led by Guhonda, considered the largest silverback in the entire Virunga region, alongside a mix of younger and female gorillas.
Trekking the Sabyinyo Family
Sabyinyo is widely considered one of the easiest families to trek in Volcanoes National Park, located just 15 minutes from park headquarters, though the exact trekking time can still vary depending on where the family has moved that day. The trek typically starts with a short drive from the briefing point, followed by a 10-minute walk across flat ground before climbing the lower slopes of Mount Sabyinyo in search of the family.
As with all gorilla treks in Rwanda, groups are capped at 8 visitors per day, accompanied by ranger guides and trackers who monitor the family’s movements throughout. Porters are available for trekkers who’d like help carrying gear on the way up.
With one of the largest silverbacks in the Virunga region and a reputation as one of the easier treks in Volcanoes National Park, the Sabyinyo family is a strong choice for a Rwanda gorilla trek. Book your gorilla trekking permit with our team today, and we’ll help you plan the trek alongside the rest of your Rwanda itinerary.
