Familles de gorilles du Rwanda : lesquelles pouvez‑vous visiter ?

Les familles de gorilles du Rwanda que les visiteurs peuvent suivre vivent dans le parc national des Volcans, et le Rwanda Development Board (RDB) répertorie dix familles habituées ouvertes aux touristes. Les noms souvent cités incluent Sabyinyo, Amahoro, Susa, Karisimbi, Agashya, Kwitonda, Umubano, Hirwa, Bwenge et Ugenda. Vous ne pouvez pas réserver une famille spécifique, car les gardes en attribuent une le matin de votre randonnée, en fonction de votre condition physique, de vos demandes et de l’endroit où les gorilles se sont déplacés pendant la nuit. Ce que vous pouvez faire, c’est indiquer votre préférence, afin que les gardes puissent vous associer à une famille avec une marche plus facile ou plus difficile.

Les noms des familles, leurs tailles et leurs positions évoluent avec le temps, et les sources divergent quant à la liste exacte, donc considérez ces noms comme un guide et confirmez avec le RDB ou votre opérateur. Nous avons vérifié les détails en octobre 2026. Cet article complète notre guide complet du trekking de gorilles au Rwanda.

Une famille est généralement dirigée par un dos argenté dominant, un mâle adulte avec une bande de poils argentés le long du dos. Autour de lui se trouvent des femelles adultes, leurs petits, et parfois un ou plusieurs mâles plus jeunes. Le dos argenté décide où le groupe se nourrit, se repose et construit son nid. Une famille peut compter moins de 10 gorilles ou plusieurs dizaines. En savoir plus dans les faits sur les familles de gorilles de montagne.

Les noms ci-dessous figurent dans la plupart des guides. Nous donnons la signification approximative des noms en kinyarwanda ainsi qu’une brève note, mais nous évitons les tailles précises car elles changent chaque année.

Certaines sources ajoutent d'autres groupes ou donnent une histoire différente pour ces noms, il faut donc considérer la liste comme indicative.

Vous pouvez demander, mais les gardes forestiers ont le dernier mot. Le processus se déroule ainsi. Lors de la réservation, votre opérateur peut noter votre condition physique et vos préférences. Lors du briefing de 7 h, les guides du parc répartissent les visiteurs en groupes de huit au maximum et assignent les familles de façon à ce que chaque famille obtienne un groupe par jour. Le RDB peut ajuster les affectations car la localisation des gorilles change. Lisez notre guide sur comment réserver un trek de gorilles au Rwanda.

There is no permanent answer. Families that regularly feed on the lower slopes closer to the park boundary tend to need shorter walks, and groups that range higher need longer hikes. But gorillas can move a long way in a day, and a family that was close last week can be far away this week. Weather also matters. If you need an easier trek because of age, health or children over 15, tell your operator in advance and mention it again at the briefing. See how difficult gorilla trekking in Rwanda is and gorilla trekking for seniors.

Not necessarily. Each family is visited by one group of up to eight people a day, and the next day it is a different group. If you buy two permits on different days, you may be assigned the same family again or a different one, depending on where the gorillas are and what the rangers decide.

• Stay at least seven metres away, or as the guide instructs.
• Keep your voice low and avoid sudden movements.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke near the gorillas.
• Do not use flash photography; the photography guide explains the settings.
• Follow the guide if a gorilla approaches; stay still and look away.

Rwanda's families live in one compact park, and the lodges are close. Bwindi's families are spread across four sectors, so the sector you choose decides which families you can meet. Read how many gorilla families are in Bwindi and the best gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi.

Visitors often describe the families by how far they had to walk and by how the group behaved on the day, rather than by lasting traits. A family that was close to the road one morning may be far the next, and a calm group can be lively when young gorillas are playing. Names such as Susa and Karisimbi are often linked with longer walks because those groups range higher on the slopes. Sabyinyo and Amahoro are often described as closer, but that depends on the day. Treat any description of a family as a general guide, and plan for a range of walking times from a short walk to a long one.

Tell your operator at the time of booking, and repeat the request at the briefing. Use clear words: "we would like a shorter walk because of a knee problem" or "we are strong hikers and would be happy with a longer one". Rangers decide, but your request helps them match the right group to the right family. If you have a health problem or a fear of heights, say so privately to the head ranger. Do not exaggerate fitness, because the day is hard if the match is wrong. Our guide on how difficult gorilla trekking is explains what to expect.

Sometimes a family moves far in a day, and the trackers cannot reach it before the time limit. The RDB refund rules describe what happens: if you cannot track gorillas all day because the family moved, you may be offered another chance or a full refund, and if you walked all day but did not find them, you may receive 75% of the tracking fee. Rangers try to avoid this by assigning families that are within reach. Ask your operator how they handle a missed trek, and consider keeping a spare day in your plan.

You can buy more than one permit on different days and, in principle, meet different families. Some travellers do two treks to compare. Each trek needs its own permit, so the cost doubles. A cheaper way to see a second species is to add golden monkey tracking, which costs US$100 for foreign adults according to the RDB; see the golden monkey permit guide. For the number of families, read how many gorilla families are in Rwanda.

• Travellers who want to understand the choices before booking
• Photographers and families who want to request a type of trek

• Anyone who must see a specific family, because no operator can guarantee it

• Paying extra for a promised family. No operator can guarantee one.
• Relying on old family lists. Names and sizes change.
• Skipping the briefing. It is where you can state your fitness.
• Assuming the first answer from the rangers is final. Politely repeat your needs if your health changes.

Ten, according to the RDB. Read our guide to the number of families.

There is no best. Every family gives an hour with gorillas. Choose by fitness and walking time.

You can request, but not guarantee.

Yes. Rangers name families, often after a silverback, a place or a Kinyarwanda word.

Yes. The list and the sizes change, and sources disagree. Confirm which families are open for your dates with the RDB or your operator.

The trek starts at 7:00 and the time you meet the gorillas depends on the walk. The hour with the family is the same whenever it begins.

Tell us how fit your group is and how much walking you want, and we will pass the information to the park. Talk to Our Tour Specialist, or see the 5-day luxury gorilla trekking tour.

Source : Rwanda Development Board.