About the Susa A Family

The original Susa family was one of the first gorilla groups to be habituated in Volcanoes National Park and was the primary research family for Dian Fossey during her years at Karisoke. Fossey’s pioneering work documenting gorilla behaviour, society, and the devastating impact of poaching transformed global understanding of mountain gorillas and sparked the conservation movement that has brought the species back from the brink.

Over the decades, the Susa family grew to be one of the largest gorilla groups in Rwanda — at its peak numbering over 40 individuals, an extraordinary size for a mountain gorilla family. In time the family split, and the main group is now known as Susa A. It remains one of the largest habituated families in the Virunga Massif, typically numbering 25 to 30 individuals.

Susa A’s home range sits high on the slopes of Mount Karisimbi and Mount Susa, at altitudes of 3,000 metres and above. Like the Karisimbi family, they inhabit the dramatic high-altitude zone of the Virunga volcanoes — giant lobelias, moss-draped trees, and sweeping views on clear days.

The Trekking Experience

Trekking Susa A is one of the most demanding gorilla treks available anywhere. Trek durations range from four to eight hours return, and some groups spend close to a full day on the mountain before locating the family. The altitude gain is significant, and the terrain above the bamboo line is steep and can be cold.

This trek is reserved for visitors in good physical condition who are comfortable with long, strenuous hikes in altitude. Your guide will assess fitness at the morning briefing and may suggest a less demanding family if there is any concern. Be honest about your fitness level — the mountain does not reward overconfidence.

The reward for reaching Susa A is extraordinary. A family of 25 to 30 gorillas is a profoundly immersive spectacle — multiple adult females, a crowd of juveniles, blackback males, and the dominant silverback moving through the high-altitude forest. With a group this large there is constant activity during the one-hour visit. Standing among them in the moss forest on the slopes of Karisimbi, with the knowledge of Fossey’s work done here, is one of the most powerful wildlife experiences in the world.

Porters are essential for this trek. Hire one at the trailhead — they will carry your pack, steady you on the steepest sections, and their knowledge of the mountain is invaluable.

The Dian Fossey Legacy

Dian Fossey was murdered at her Karisoke Research Centre in December 1985. She is buried there, next to Digit — the silverback she loved most, who was killed by poachers in 1978. The Karisoke Research Centre continues its work under the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and her grave can be visited as a separate guided excursion from the park. The Susa A family — descendants of the gorillas she gave her life to protect — continues to thrive.

Getting There and Booking

Volcanoes National Park is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Kigali. All gorilla treks begin at the Kinigi park headquarters at 7:00 am. Gorilla permits in Rwanda cost USD 1,500 per person, issued by the Rwanda Development Board through licensed operators. Susa A permits are among the most sought-after in Rwanda — book six to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred dates.