18-Year-Old Gorilla Gives Birth in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

An 18-year-old gorilla gives birth in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Over the weekend, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) was delighted to announce a new birth record in the Kutu gorilla family group in the Rushaga sector, one of the Southern gorilla trekking sectors in Bwindi National Park. The 18-year-old Murema of the Kutu gorilla family gave birth to a bouncing baby gorilla.

According to UWA officials, the newborn mountain gorilla was born on 15^th July 2022. But it was protected by the mother till the weekend when she surprised everyone as held her baby tightly. The two remain in good health and the new birthmarks Murema’s second birth – the first was recorded about 5 years ago and it is named Dunia.

With the new arrival of the Murema baby gorilla, the Kutu gorilla family group now has a record of 21 mountain gorillas. These are all under the leadership of Silverback Ndugu. The word Ndugu means “brother” in English while Murema is translated as “lame.”

About Kutu gorilla family, Bwindi National Park

The Kutu gorilla family is one of the 20 fully habituated gorilla families living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It also makes up part of the numerous families in the Rushaga sector, the Southern gorilla safari sector in Bwindi. Kutu is also visited for gorilla habituation experience, where visitors enjoy half day or full day monitoring the daily behaviors of mountain gorillas.

Other habituated gorilla families worth visiting on gorilla safari in Rushaga sector include Nshongi gorilla group, Mishaya, Rwigi, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye, Bikingi, Mucunguzi.

Busingye group – this is a gorilla family with 9 mountain gorillas led by a silverback gorilla. Originally, this group was part of Kahungye but broke off under the leadership of the Busingye silverback gorilla.

Kahungye -this welcomed its first trekkers in 2011 and it is under able leader Rumansi silverback. Nshongi group broke off from the Bweza family which consisted of 36 mountain gorillas. Nshongi group has 25 members including juveniles, females, infants, and their leader Nshongi.

About Bwindi National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in Southwestern Uganda, from Kampala, about 8-9 hours’ drive in a 4×4 vehicle with good mechanical conditions. It is possible to reach Bwindi by air travel; fly from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip then drive for a short distance.

Bwindi was founded in 1991 at the same time as Mgahinga Gorilla National Park- two places in Uganda where mountain gorilla trekking is only carried out. It sits on the 331sq.kms of land area in Kabale, Southwestern Uganda and from Kigali, it is 4-5 hours’ drive.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the misty Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where over 120 mammal species all roam freely together with other wildlife including over 360 bird species. The park hosts about 459 mountain gorillas with the largest number of habituated gorilla families set for gorilla trekking.

At Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, gorilla trekking is done in any of its 4 sectors; Rushaga where the newborn gorilla was registered; Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Ruhija sectors. The 4 gorilla sectors host up to 20 habituated gorilla groups and this large number translates into 160 gorilla permits.

How much is a gorilla permit for Bwindi?

Whether you are visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga to see mountain gorillas, the cost of gorilla permits is the same. Foreign non-residents pay USD700 to obtain a valid gorilla permit, foreign residents USD600 and if you fall under the category of East African citizens, you pay UGX 250,000 per person. The rates cover the park guide service, one hour of a face-to-face encounter with a family of endangered mountain gorillas in the wild, and photography.

How to book a gorilla permit?

The quickest way to have your gorilla permit booked is by dealing with a recognized local tour operator such as Maranatha Tours and Travel. Consider booking your permit in advance to avoid last-minute stress.