To the East of the Uganda gorilla trekking safari site of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the region of Ruhija, there thrives a notable gorilla group called Kyaguliro.
Kyaguliro Gorilla group features a fascinating history which is an attraction of itself. It can be noted that following the group’s habituation in 1999, Kyaguliro never received the visitors on gorilla safaris in Uganda like other habituated gorilla groups because it had been set aside for research conducted by Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology.
As a result, Kyaguliro became a sample unit for all the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park noted to be a minimum of 400 individuals and the details gathered from these studies helped considerably in the world of Mountain Gorilla Conservation.
Zeus was the main Silverback at the time of habituation and reigned up to August 2004 when the Silverback Rukina took over leading the Kyaguliro gorilla group up to April 2015 when it passed away. Rukina became so famous during his reign and ruled for 11 years before dying 31 years of age. He was among the iconic members that would mesmerize the Uganda Gorilla Safari undertakers when the Kyaguliro gorilla group was eventually opened up for tracking.
Following the death of Rukina, Kyaguliro Gorilla family was taken over by Rukara but the infighting has marked the group since then. The Silverback Mukiza has even attempted to snatch some members and start a new family but his plans are still in vain.
Apparently, Kyaguliro along with Bitukura and Oruzogo are three habituated gorilla groups available for tracking in the Ruhija region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Twenty four (24) Mountain Gorilla permits exist for the travelers interested in taking gorilla safaris to Uganda.
