Habinyanja Gorilla Group

Habinyanja Gorilla Family started in 1997 although it was first visited by Tourists in 1999. The word Habinyanja comes from a local word Nyanja ‘meaning water’, it’s one of the swamp in the forest where this family was found.

The family consists of 17 members with 2 silver backs and the time the family was habituated ,it was led by one dominant silver back called Munguris a local word meaning ‘old man’ who later passed on due to his old age. And later on he was inherited by his two Brothers Mwirima and Rwansigazi who took over power to lead the family but later on the two did not agree on ruling the family.

They had different characters Rwansigazi loved travelling well Mwirima loved to stay at a close range with the family Members this lead to their separation in 2002. Therefore the group that stayed with Rwansigazi was named Habinyanja, although Rwansigazi gave up his leadership skills to Makara the Dominate silverback who is now the leader. This family is found is Buhoma.