Bukima Sector in Congo

Bukima sector is the most popular region in Virunga National Park where gorilla tracking takes place. The Bukima region is strategically located in the southern part of Virunga National Park where the Park headquarters are located not far from Goma. Bukima region has the highest mountain gorilla habituated families with over 5 families have sited within this sector hence mead it as the most popular region in Virunga National Park

Below is the habituated Mountain gorilla families that located in Bukima sector

Kabirizi Gorilla Family

Kabirizi Gorilla Family located in the Bukima sector in Virunga National Park with 19 members. The family at first called Zunguruka who later died of old age by then and succeeded by his elder son Ndungutse who also died by bullets during the 1996 war between Rwanda and Uganda invaded Congo in an effort to uproot the remaining perpetrators of the genocide. The war generated a vacuum in the leadership of the family hence leads the raise of Buhanga silverback as ahead, who also died and succeeded by his sister who was overthrown by her brother Munyaga silverback, Munyaga was naturally weak and he never ruled for so long due to serious the attack he received from Kabirizi who later won and took up the family up to date.

Humba Gorilla Family

Humba Gorilla Family found in the Bukima sector in the southern part of Virunga National Park. The family was formed in 1998 after the split up with the Rugendo family who went with about 6 members. Successful, the family members have increased due to birth of every year, currently, they are of 12 individuals including; 2 Silverbacks, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult male, 1 juvenile, and 5 babies.

Munyaga Gorilla family

Munyaga Gorilla family is situated in the Bukima sector of Virunga National Park. Munyaga was a solitary silverback who join Buhanga family and became a leader, he later disappeared after losing his female members in the family. Currently, the Munyaga Gorilla family is led by Mawazo with 9 members

Nyakamwe Gorilla Family

Nyakamwe Gorilla Family is the newest family in Virunga National Park (currently) that was formed in 2014 after the breakup with his former family Humba with 10 members. Nyakamwe Gorilla Family sites in the Bukima sector in the southern part of the Park with 12 members.

Bageni Gorilla Family

Bageni Gorilla Family is the second formed family in the last 7 years in Virunga National Park. Currently, the family leaves in Bukima sector but he also moves to the Gatovu sector in Virunga National Park. In January 2013 Bageni silverback started his family with 20 members after the break up with Kabirizi Gorilla Family. Now, the family counts 26 members.

Best time to do gorilla tracking in Bukima sector-Virunga National Park

The best time to do gorilla tracking in the Bukima sector in Congo is all year round from January to December. However, the best time for gorilla tracking in Bukima the region is done in the dry season of June, July, August, and mid-September, December to February. During this season, there is less rainfall and the trails tend to be less slippery making the gorilla trekking easier for all trackers.