The Gorilla Families of Volcanoes National Park
Agashya Family
“The Unusual King"
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Agashya
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±18 gorillas
Agashya means “the unusual,” and few silverbacks have lived a story quite like his. Now in his late thirties, Agashya leads a family of around eighteen gorillas that includes other silverbacks, adult females, and young members of the group.
His rise began when he encountered a small group that had recently lost its leader. After challenging the young blackback who was trying to guide the family, Agashya took control and slowly established his authority. Over the years, he expanded the group by attracting females from neighbouring families.
Today, the Agashya family moves confidently across the slopes of the park, guided by a silverback who earned his leadership through persistence and strength.
Amahoro Family
“Where Peace Prevails"
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Ubumwe
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±19 gorillas
Amahoro translates to “peace” in Kinyarwanda, and this family lives up to its name. Led by the silverback Gahinga, the group includes around eighteen gorillas, among them his brother Ibigwi, several adult females, and a growing number of young.
Leadership passed to Gahinga after the death of his father Ubumwe, who guided the family for many years. What makes Amahoro particularly remarkable is its relationship with the neighbouring Umubano family. When the two groups meet, they often sit quietly together rather than fighting, something rarely seen among mountain gorillas.
The reason lies in their shared history. Ubumwe and Charles, the leader of Umubano, were brothers, and that bond still shapes the behaviour of the families today.
Hirwa Family
“The Journey Home"
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Uburanga
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±21 gorillas
The Hirwa family is led by Uburanga, a young but confident silverback who stepped into leadership during a difficult chapter in the group’s history. Today the family numbers about twenty-one gorillas, including several silverbacks, adult females, and many young.
The family was originally founded by Munyinya, a bold silverback from the well-known Susa group. After leaving that family he travelled across the slopes of Karisimbi and Bisoke before settling near Mount Sabyinyo.
In 2021 tragedy struck when lightning killed Munyinya and several females while the family was across the border in Uganda. After months of uncertainty, Uburanga gathered the remaining members and led them back into Rwanda, where they continue to grow today.
Humura Family
“Leadership Without Fear"
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Humura
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±25 gorillas
Humura means “don’t worry,” and the name reflects the calm character of both the family and its leader.
Humura is a relatively young silverback who stepped into leadership after splitting from the Igisha group in 2025. Despite his age, he confidently guided a large portion of the group into a new beginning.
Today the Humura family is one of the larger groups in the park, with about twenty-five gorillas including several silverbacks, adult females, and many young. Humura’s quiet confidence allows the group to move through the forest with an unusual sense of calm.
Igisha Family
“From Giant to Guardian"
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Igisha
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±15 gorillas
Igisha grew up in the famous Susa family, once the largest gorilla group in Volcanoes National Park. In 2012 he left that crowded lineage to establish a family of his own.
Over time the group expanded steadily until a natural split occurred in 2025, when his younger brother Humura formed a new family. Today Igisha leads a smaller but stable group of around fifteen gorillas.
Years of leadership have shaped Igisha into a steady and experienced silverback. His family now moves with a quiet cohesion that reflects the maturity of a group long guided by the same leader.
Isimbi Family
“Protected by Strength"
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Muturengera
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±22 gorillas
The Isimbi family is led by Muturengera, a powerful silverback whose name means “protect us.” At nearly 200 kilograms, he is one of the largest gorillas currently living in the park.
The family traces its origins to the Karisimbi lineage. After returning to Rwanda with his brother Getty, Muturengera helped establish the group alongside several females.
When Getty later died from respiratory illness, Muturengera stepped into leadership earlier than expected. Today he leads a family of around twenty-two gorillas, guiding the group with strength and stability.
Izuba Family
“Born of Courage”
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Izuba
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±11 gorillas
Izuba means “sun,” and this young family represents one of the newer chapters in Volcanoes National Park.
The group was formed in 2022 when the silverback Izuba left the Umubano family to establish a lineage of his own. Rather than expanding quickly through conflict, he built his family slowly and carefully.
Today the Izuba family includes around eleven gorillas, many of them young. Several females already have infants, giving the group a promising future under Izuba’s watchful leadership.
Kwisanga Family
“The Welcoming Lineage”
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Lisanga
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±14 gorillas
Kwisanga means “welcome,” and the family reflects a quiet sense of openness.
Led by the silverback Lisanga, the group formed from the influential Kwitonda lineage. Lisanga is easily recognised by a distinctive marking above his mouth, making him one of the easier silverbacks to identify in the forest.
The family is smaller than some others in the park but remains stable and cohesive, growing steadily under Lisanga’s attentive leadership.
Kwitonda Family
“The Gentle Ancestor”
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Akarevura
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±20 gorillas
The Kwitonda family carries one of the calmest reputations in Volcanoes National Park.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the group crossed into Rwanda in 2003 during a time of instability. It was founded by the silverback Kwitonda, whose name means humble, reflecting the gentle nature for which the family became known.
Today leadership rests with his son Akarevura. The family now includes about twenty gorillas and has become one of the most influential lineages in the park, giving rise to several other families including Kwisanga and Muhoza.
Muhoza Family
“Strength in Motion”
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Marambo
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±22 gorillas
The Muhoza family is led by Marambo, one of the most imposing silverbacks in the park and recognised as one of its largest.
Marambo began his life in the Kwitonda family before setting out to establish a lineage of his own around 2016. As is common when new families form, he gradually attracted females from neighbouring groups.
Today the Muhoza family numbers around twenty-two gorillas and reflects Marambo’s strong but steady leadership.
Pablo Family
“The Living Archive”
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Ubwuzu
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±22 gorillas
The Pablo family is closely tied to the early years of mountain gorilla research.
Founded by a silverback named Pablo from one of the first groups studied by Dian Fossey, the family has played an important role in the history of conservation in the Virunga Mountains.
Leadership later passed to Cantsbee, who guided the group for an extraordinary twenty-five years, and eventually to the current silverback Ubwuzu. Today the family includes around twenty-two gorillas and remains one of the park’s most historically significant groups.
Sabyinyo Family
“Born of Giants”
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Gihishamwotsi
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±16 gorillas
Few gorilla families carry a legacy like Sabyinyo.
The group was founded by Guhonda, the largest silverback ever recorded in the Virunga Mountains. Weighing close to 220 kilograms, he was known for both his strength and his formidable personality.
After his disappearance in 2022, leadership passed to his son Gihishamwotsi. Today the family includes several silverbacks and continues to carry forward the remarkable legacy of its founder.
Susa Family
“A Chronicle of Survival”
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Mpuzamahanga
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±11 gorillas
The Susa family is one of the most famous gorilla groups in the Virunga Massif.
Originally founded by the silverback Kurira, the group became well known through years of research and observation. It was once the largest family in the park and witnessed several extraordinary events, including one of the oldest recorded gorilla births in the wild.
Today the family is led by Mpuzamahanga and includes around eleven gorillas. Though smaller than in the past, Susa remains an important symbol of the long journey of gorilla conservation.
Titus Family
“The Gorilla That Taught Us Empathy”
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Urwibutso & Pato
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±9 gorillas
The Titus family carries one of the most emotional stories in gorilla history.
Founded by the gentle silverback Titus, the group became famous through decades of research. Titus was so beloved that his image once appeared on Rwanda’s 5,000-franc banknote.
Today the family is led by the brothers Urwibutso and Pato. Though small in number, the group remains deeply bonded and offers a powerful reminder of the emotional lives of gorillas.
Umubano Family
“Strength in Brotherhood”
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Charles
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±13 gorillas
Umubano means “togetherness,” and few families illustrate that idea more clearly.
Founded by the silverback Charles in 2001, the group formed after he separated from the Amahoro lineage following the death of the dominant silverback.
Today Umubano includes about thirteen gorillas and an unusual number of adult males, with several silverbacks living together peacefully. Charles leads through quiet authority, and the family stands out as one of the most socially fascinating groups in the park.
Updated as of March 2026