Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is home to 12 habituated mountain gorilla groups open to tourism. Each group lives at a different elevation on the Virunga Volcanoes, requires a different length trek, and offers a different experience. Choosing the right gorilla family to request when booking your permit through Rwanda Development Board can significantly affect your trekking day — the difference between a 1-hour walk and a 6-hour mountain climb. This guide covers each habituated group, their typical trek duration, their size and characteristics, and which groups suit different fitness levels and expectations.
How Gorilla Group Assignment Works in Rwanda
When you book a gorilla permit through Rwanda Development Board (rdb.rw) at USD $1,500 per person, you are assigned to a gorilla group, not given free choice. However, you can request a specific group during booking — Rwanda Development Board accommodates requests subject to availability. At the Kinigi briefing on the morning of your trek, rangers announce the groups and assign approximately 8 visitors per group. If your requested group is unavailable for your date, you will be assigned the closest available alternative. Permits must be booked at least 3 months in advance for peak season (July-August, December-January) and can be booked as far as 12 months ahead.
The 12 Habituated Gorilla Groups: Volcanoes National Park
Susa Group (Karisimbi)
The Susa group is Volcanoes NP’s largest habituated family — approximately 28 individuals including 3 silverbacks, 8 adult females, and multiple juveniles and infants. It is also the group that ranges highest on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda’s highest volcano at 4,507 metres above sea level. Trek duration to Susa is typically 4-6 hours round trip, with significant altitude gain through dense bamboo forest and nettle thickets above 3,000m. This group was first habituated in 1999 and was the group most frequently studied by Dian Fossey. Its large size means encounters have a lot of movement and activity — infants playing, juveniles chasing each other, silverbacks chest-beating. Recommended for: physically fit trekkers comfortable with sustained uphill walking at altitude. Not recommended for those with heart or respiratory conditions or limited mobility.
Umubano Group
Umubano split from the Susa group in 2008 when the sub-adult male Charles led several females away to form an independent group. It currently has approximately 11 members including 2 silverbacks. Umubano typically ranges at mid-elevation on Karisimbi and Visoke. Trek duration: 2-4 hours depending on daily movement. This group’s smaller size creates a more intimate viewing experience — you are closer to fewer individuals for the full hour, and there is less chaos and movement than with larger families. Good for first-time gorilla trekkers who want meaningful interaction without extreme physical exertion.
Amahoro Group
Amahoro means “peace” in Kinyarwanda, and this is considered one of the calmest gorilla families in the park — the silverback Ubumwe is notably relaxed around human visitors. The group numbers approximately 18 individuals. Trek duration to Amahoro: 2-3 hours typically, ranging on the slopes of Mount Visoke (3,711m). The Amahoro group is often recommended to trekkers with moderate fitness and is particularly popular with visitors hoping for relaxed, close-range viewing as the gorillas are rarely startled and continue normal behaviour (feeding, grooming, playing) throughout the visit hour. Excellent group for photography due to the low stress level of the animals.
Agashya Group (Group 13)
Named for the dominant silverback Agashya (formerly called Nyakagezi when this group ranged cross-border into Uganda), Group 13 numbers approximately 25 individuals including multiple silverbacks. Trek duration is variable — 2 to 5 hours. This group was historically known for occasionally crossing into Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla NP, which is why it carries the history of being a cross-border family. As of 2022-2024 it ranges primarily in Rwanda. Its large size and multiple silverbacks means interactions between dominant males are common — chest-beating and mock charges are more frequent than with calmer groups, creating dramatic viewing but requiring calm visitor behaviour.
Kwitonda Group
The Kwitonda group migrated from the DR Congo side of the Virungas and was habituated after settling in Rwanda. It currently numbers approximately 19 individuals including 4 silverbacks (the most of any Rwandan group). Trek duration: 2-4 hours. Having 4 silverbacks creates frequent intra-group dominance displays and high social activity. This group is known for highly active, dynamic treks with lots of movement and vocalisation. For visitors interested in gorilla social behaviour and dynamics, Kwitonda offers unmatched viewing of silverback interactions.
Hirwa Group
Hirwa (“lucky” in Kinyarwanda) was formed in 2006 when the silverback Munyinya left the Sabyinyo group with several females. It currently has approximately 16 members. The group has had notable births including twins in 2011. Trek duration: 1.5-3 hours. Hirwa ranges at relatively low elevation on the slopes between Sabyinyo and Gahinga volcanoes, making it one of the more accessible treks. Suitable for moderate fitness levels. The relatively small size and low-elevation ranging make this a consistently manageable trek.
Sabyinyo Group
The Sabyinyo group ranges on the slopes of Mount Sabyinyo (3,634m), the jagged volcanic peak that forms the meeting point of Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo. It is one of the easiest groups to reach — the trek typically takes 30 minutes to 1.5 hours as the group spends much time in the forest below 2,400m where the terrain is relatively gentle. The group has approximately 9 members led by an imposing silverback. The short trek makes this the top choice for visitors with limited fitness, older trekkers, or those on tight schedules. The downside is smaller group size means fewer interactions to observe. Still, even a 9-member group provides full gorilla encounter quality — infants, feeding adults, and the silverback’s presence are all there.
Ugenda Group
Ugenda (“moving” in Kinyarwanda) is aptly named — this group moves frequently and covers large distances on the Karisimbi slopes. Trek duration: 3-6 hours and variable day-to-day. This unpredictability is part of Ugenda’s appeal for experienced gorilla trekkers who want a genuine wild forest experience. The group has approximately 11 members. Because the group moves extensively, encounters sometimes happen in open clearings and sometimes deep in bamboo forest, creating different photographic opportunities each time. Not recommended as a first gorilla trek for visitors who want a predictable experience.
Other Groups: Bwenge, Kuryama, Isabukuru, Muhoza
Rwanda has added additional habituated groups in recent years to expand permit availability. Bwenge, Kuryama, Isabukuru, and Muhoza are smaller, newer habituation groups with treks of variable duration. Rwanda Development Board periodically opens new groups to tourism as habituation (a 2-3 year process where researchers gradually accustom wild gorillas to human presence) is completed. Contact Rwanda Development Board directly for current status of these newer groups — availability, trek duration estimates, and group size change as habituation progresses.
Which Group Should You Request?
- Short, easy trek: Sabyinyo (30 minutes – 1.5 hours, gentle terrain)
- Best for first-timers: Amahoro (calm silverback, 2-3 hours, good photography)
- Large, dramatic family: Susa or Agashya (many individuals, active interactions, physically demanding)
- Intimate experience: Umubano or Hirwa (smaller groups, 2-4 hours)
- Silverback social dynamics: Kwitonda (4 silverbacks, most intra-group displays)
- Unpredictable adventure: Ugenda (variable trek, different landscape each time)
What to Wear and Bring for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
Regardless of which group you trek, clothing and equipment requirements are the same. Long-sleeved shirt and long trousers — synthetic or merino wool, not cotton which stays wet. Waterproof jacket — it rains on the volcanoes at any time of year. Leather or synthetic hiking boots with ankle support — mandatory, the forest floor is uneven and sometimes muddy. Gardening gloves — optional but useful when pulling yourself up steep sections using vegetation. Gaiters — useful for the nettle thickets on higher-elevation treks. Walking stick — provided free by the park at Kinigi, use it. A porter can be hired at the Kinigi car park for USD $15-20 to carry your bag. This directly supports local employment and frees your hands for photography.
Camera settings for gorilla encounters: ISO 1600-3200 (forest light is low), aperture f/2.8-4 for subject isolation, shutter speed minimum 1/125 second to freeze movement. A 70-200mm lens is the most versatile for gorilla photography — close enough on a large silverback, wide enough for a family scene.
Arriving at Kinigi: Practical Details
The Kinigi visitor centre is 14 km beyond Musanze town on the Cyanika road. From Kigali, allow 2.5 hours for the 126 km drive, departing by 05:00-05:30 to arrive at Kinigi by 07:30 for the 08:00 briefing. If staying in Musanze, it is a 20-minute drive to Kinigi. The car park at Kinigi is secure. Your vehicle will be watched by the community guards throughout the trek. Bring your permit confirmation, passport, and yellow fever vaccination certificate. No backpacks larger than 20L inside the park — rangers enforce this at the briefing stage.
