The Umubano gorilla family is a mountain gorilla group in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park that broke away from the Amahoro family under the silverback Charles, and its name means “living together” in Kinyarwanda. It ranges on the slopes of Mount Bisoke, sharing that ground with the family it left, and is trekked on a $1,500 permit in 2026. Volcanoes National Park lies in northern Rwanda near Musanze along the Virunga Mountains, holding part of the world’s only wild mountain gorilla population.
This guide covers how Umubano split from Amahoro, the rivalry behind it, where the group ranges, how many gorillas it holds, and what the trek involves in 2026. The member figures are recent estimates, since births, deaths, and movement between the two neighbouring families change the count.
How the Umubano Gorilla Family Split from Amahoro
The Umubano family was born out of the Amahoro family, the group known for its peaceful temperament. A silverback named Charles broke away from Amahoro, taking a number of females with him to form his own group. That kind of split is the normal way a strong male starts his own line, and it is one reason the number of families in the park keeps shifting.
The new group took the name Umubano, which means “living together” or “neighbourliness” in Kinyarwanda. The name reflects both the cooperation within the group and its continued closeness to the family it came from, since the two have remained neighbours on the same slopes.
The Rivalry Between Charles and Ubumwe
The split did not happen quietly. Accounts from the park describe a long rivalry between Charles and Ubumwe, the dominant silverback of the peaceful Amahoro family. Charles is said to have taken advantage of Ubumwe’s gentle nature, provoking him repeatedly until he eventually left with part of the group.
That history is part of what makes the pair of families interesting to visitors who learn the back story. Amahoro’s calm temperament cost it members to the more assertive Charles, a clear example of how a silverback’s character shapes whether his family grows or shrinks.
Where the Umubano Gorilla Family Ranges
The Umubano family ranges on the slopes of Mount Bisoke, the same volcano as Amahoro. The two families keep close to each other, and their home ranges overlap, so trackers sometimes find them in the same broad area. This shared ground is a direct result of the split, since Charles did not move far when he formed his own group.
The Bisoke slopes are steeper than the low ground near the park boundary, which is the main factor in the trek. The proximity to Amahoro also means the two families occasionally interact, a dynamic that traces back to the rivalry that created Umubano.
Group Size and Members of the Umubano Family
Recent counts put the Umubano family at roughly 11 to 14 members, with the dominant silverback Charles and usually a second silverback alongside the adult females and young. It is a mid-sized to smaller group, having taken only part of Amahoro’s membership when it formed.
The size gives the family a settled feel without the busy energy of the largest groups. Visitors often watch the interplay between the silverbacks and the way the group holds together, a cohesion the name itself points to. With two mature males in a group of this size, the relationship between them is part of what trackers and guides keep an eye on, since a second silverback can either support the leader or, in time, break away to start another group the way Charles once did. For now the family ranges as a single unit on the Bisoke slopes.
What the Umubano Gorilla Trek Is Like
The Umubano trek is rated moderate to strenuous, much like the trek to Amahoro, because both families range on the Bisoke slopes. The climb is steady and the ground is often wet under the canopy, so the effort is real even when the group is found at mid-elevation. Guides do not usually assign this family to visitors who have asked for the gentlest possible walk.
Boots with ankle support, rain layers, and a porter for the climb cover most conditions, and a walking pole helps on the descent. A reasonable level of fitness makes the difference between a hard slog and a manageable hike on the Bisoke ground.
Best Time to Trek the Umubano Gorilla Family
The Umubano family is trekked year-round, but the season matters because of the Bisoke climb. The drier months of June to September and December to February give the safest footing and the most comfortable ascent, and they are the busiest for permits.
The wetter months of March to May and November bring heavier mud on the slopes and the low-season discount. The climb stays doable in the rains, with denser vegetation that can mean closer sightings, so off-peak visitors willing to work for it can do well at a lower price.
Permit Cost to Trek the Umubano Gorilla Family
The Umubano family is reached on the standard gorilla permit, priced at $1,500 per person in 2026 for international visitors, the same fee as every family in the park. It covers entry, guides, trackers, and the one-hour visit, and excludes lodging, transport, and tips.
$1,500 per person for one trek, set by the Rwanda Development Board and identical for all families.
$1,050 per person from November to May, with a qualifying two-night stay in Akagera or Nyungwe National Park.
About $500 for foreign residents and rest-of-Africa visitors, and roughly $200 for East African citizens, on proof of status.
Around $15 to $20 at the trailhead for the Bisoke climb, plus tips for guides and trackers on the day.
The fixed price means the Umubano climb costs the same as the easiest family in the park. What you trade for the same fee is the steeper effort of the Bisoke slopes.
How to Book and Reach the Umubano Family
Permits are sold by the Rwanda Development Board, online or through a licensed operator. You book a trekking day rather than a named family, and Umubano is assigned at the Kinigi briefing, usually to visitors who can handle a moderate climb. State your fitness and any preference in advance and on the morning.
The park is about a two to three hour drive from Kigali to Musanze and the Kinigi headquarters. With the briefing starting around 7 in the morning and the Bisoke climb taking time, staying near the park the night before is the sensible choice rather than driving up at dawn.
What does the name Umubano mean?
Umubano means “living together” or “neighbourliness” in Kinyarwanda. The name reflects both the cooperation within the group and its continued closeness to the Amahoro family it split from.
Which family did Umubano split from?
Umubano broke away from the Amahoro family when a silverback named Charles left with a number of females to form his own group, after a long rivalry with the Amahoro silverback Ubumwe.
How many gorillas are in the Umubano family?
Recent counts put it at roughly 11 to 14 members, led by the silverback Charles and usually a second silverback. Numbers change with births, deaths, and movement between the neighbouring families.
How hard is the Umubano trek?
It is rated moderate to strenuous, similar to the Amahoro trek, because the family ranges on the slopes of Mount Bisoke. The climb is steady and the ground is often wet, so it is not usually assigned to those wanting the gentlest walk.
How much does the Umubano trek cost?
The permit is $1,500 per person in 2026, the same as for every family in the park. A low-season rate of $1,050 applies from November to May with a qualifying stay in Akagera or Nyungwe, and reduced rates exist for residents and East African citizens.
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