Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Sectors

There are four areas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park that are suitable for gorilla trekking: Rushaga, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Buhoma.

BUHOMA GORILLA TREKKING SECTOR

One of the gorilla trekking areas is Buhoma Sector, which is situated in Kanungu District in the northern portion of Bwindi. The park’s Buhoma sector is a unique area. The majority of visitors initially ask if the Buhoma section is available.

Because gorilla trekking permits are given out on a first-come, first-served basis, there is a risk of not being able to obtain one in Buhoma. The first area to be visited by a group of tourists trekking to Bwindi Forest is the Buhoma sector, which has an intriguing past and present.

There are several gorilla families in each of the Bwindi gorilla trekking sectors, with Mubare being the oldest, having been habituated in 1992.

The Buhoma sector is the most desirable area for gorilla hikers and is far superior to other regions. In the impenetrable park of Bwindi, Buhoma is easily accessible. From Kabale town, it takes two hours to drive via Kanungu, while from Ishasha sector, which is home to tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park, it takes four hours.

Trekking in the Buhoma sector gives visitors the opportunity to partake in a variety of other activities, such as Ishasha game drives, forest hikes, and community engagement, among many others.

The Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Ntungamo-Rukungiri-Buhoma route also provides access to Buhoma; flying from Kihihi Airport is an additional option.

Families of gorillas

The Habimanya family of gorillas
Three habituated gorilla families—the Mubare, Rushegura, and Habinyanja families—live in the Buhoma region.

Every gorilla family in the Buhoma area has a unique tale to share. Mubare, one of the oldest families with nine members, was the first group to be habituated in 1992.

With 17 members, Habinyanja established a habituation in 1997. The Rushegura family opened in 2000, and today the group has 19 members.

Every day, 24 gorilla permits are granted in Buhoma, where eight individuals visit each of the three gorilla families.

Trekkers can enjoy a wide range of activities and attractions when they go gorilla trekking.

The Bakiga communities learn a lot of things from home away from home, such as digging, cooking local food, brewing, babysitting, beers, fruits, and many other things. The Batwa trail pygmies, who were the first people to live in the forest of Bwindi, have a lot to learn about their daily lives. Bird watching is also a must-do in the Buhoma sector.

Facilities for lodging

There are several lodging options in the Buhoma area, including luxury, midrange, and low-cost hotels that provide excellent services.

The services are exceptional, with personnel that are skilled and knowledgeable providing services of outstanding quality.

Bwindi’s Buhoma Lodge
There are numerous places to visit in Buhoma, such as Mahogany Springs Lodge, Bwindi Forest Lodge, Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Guest House, Bwindi View Bandas, and Bwindi Volcano Lodge.

Travelers can more easily catch up with a briefing because to the lodges’ shortcut connections to the Gorilla trekking headquarters.

In Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a gorilla safari is an experience of a lifetime. Buhoma is the ideal location for trekking because of the hotels and camps.

GORILLA TREKKING’S RUHIJA SECTOR

One of the primary drivers of gorilla trekking in the Ruhija sector is the presence of mountain gorillas. Three different gorilla families—Oruogo, Kyaguiro, and Bitukura—live in the area. All of them are suitable for hiking.

Only eight individuals are permitted to trek with mountain gorillas, as is the case with other gorilla sectors and other nations that have mountain gorillas. In the Ruhija sector, there are just 24 trekking permits available.

Depending on the permissions available in the area, a gorilla trekker may occasionally be requested to choose the optimal area for his trek.
Since the park is a rain forest and expects rain at any time, hikers are advised to bring hiking shoes, long pants, and rain jackets.

Non-foreign residents must pay 800 USD for gorilla permits, while East African citizens must pay 300,000 USD. There are potters accessible to help you on your walk, but there is a fee. Due to the unpredictable nature of the trek and encounter, which can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours, you will need to pack a lunch from the lodge. Additionally, because of the difficulty of the hike, one must be physically fit to have a better experience. Keep in mind that these are wild animals that are constantly moving from one area to another.

Among the many things you may experience during your hike or in the Bwindi and park sector are the following:

The Batwa pygmy trek and encounter:

This is a visit to the earliest inhabitants who made the forest their home. When the park was opened to the tourism board in 1991, they were forced out of the forest. Discover their daily routines, traditional way of life, hunting, honey gathering, use of herbal treatment, and much more.

Take a look at the community initiatives.
Volunteering is an option in the Ruhija industry. This is built on community-owned initiatives that the locals learn about via their daily activities, such as beekeeping, crafts, and basketry. These projects were started to aid in the community’s development. Some locals work as farmers, porters, and many other jobs, but the majority of them are employed by the tourism industry.

Visitors have the opportunity to participate, and while doing so, they will learn more about the industry. The community’s residents’ quality of life is raised as a result.
In Ruhija and Bwindi, the locals take pleasure in sustainable development and wildlife conservation.

Observing birds
With roughly 23 indigenous species, including the grey bush shrike, yellow-streaked greenbul, hornbills, Dusky crimson, yellow-eyed black flycatcher, and many more, Ruhija is the ideal place for birdwatchers.
Ruhija is listed as an Important Bird Area because of its significance for global conservation.

It is typically advised that hikers bring binoculars so they can easily spot birds. The guidelines describe the distinctive characteristics of birds and assist in identifying them. For every bird you have seen, this is a wonderful experience.

Take pleasure in strolling along the Bwindi Forest’s natural pathways. It’s a unique experience. The greatest method to explore the whole forest, rocks, caverns, waterfalls, and much more. You might anticipate seeing animals and taking in the lovely sounds of birdsong in the trees.

Accommodation
Ruhija is a reasonably priced, luxurious, secure, and pleasant lodge.
Gorilla Mist Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Trekkers Tavern Lodges, Agandi Lodges, and many more are among the lodges in Ruhija. Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort

Professional waiters, chefs, housekeepers, and many others are there. Two months prior to departure, reservations are made for lodging.
Ruhija has an amazing atmosphere with wild bird sounds, especially at night, and cold temperatures, which is a result of the area’s high terrain and extensive forests.
Each room has a warm water feature, which helps to keep people comfortable at night and keeps the cold out.
The Ruhija sector, located in eastern Uganda, is worth a visit since it allows visitors to engage directly with endangered gorillas in their natural environment.

GORILLA TREKKING MGAHINGA SECTOR

Mgahinga National Park is situated between 2,227 and 4,127 meters above sea level. In order to preserve the habitat of mountain gorillas that live in the deep forests, Mgahinga National Park was established. The golden monkeys, which are thought to be found solely in Uganda, can also be seen at Mgahinga National Park.
In addition to its wildlife, the park boasts a rich cultural history. The first people to live in the forests alongside mountain gorillas were the native Batwa pygmies.

Trekking with gorillas at Mgahinga National Park.

It is well known that Mgahinga is home to silverback gorillas.
The environment is full with natural beauty and adventure. You may explore Mgahinga with a knowledgeable guide who is well-trained and knowledgeable about the forest and its ecosystems if you book a trekking day.

Gorilla trekking typically takes four hours and begins in Ntebeko, where entrance to the gate is at 8 a.m. An hour is the appropriate amount of time to spend with mountain gorillas.

When is the greatest time to trek mountain gorillas in a national park?

The two dry seasons, when the location is relatively accessible, are the ideal times to go there and trek the mountain gorillas. The paths are not as muddy as they would be during the rainy season, and it is easy to navigate through the dense woodlands at this time.

One can still choose to trek the mountain gorillas all year round, even during the dry seasons, which are from mid-December to the end of February and June to October.

Get in
By road, it takes almost eight hours to get from Kampala to Kisoro via Kabala to the Nkuringo sector.
The shortest way to get to the park is to fly from Entebbe to Kisoro Airstrip, which is close to the park. The flight takes approximately an hour.
Bookings for the flights must be made in advance with a local Uganda safari operator.

Accommodation
There are several lodging options in the region, including lodges that are ideal for resting and spending the night, as well as luxury, midrange, and budget options. Ntebeko, Kisoro, and Lake Mutanda are home to a few of the lodges.

Accommodations in Ntebeko include Amajembere Iwacu Camp and Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Safari Lodges. Lake Mutanda and Chameleon Hill Lodge are among the loges in Mutanda. Kisoro lodges can provide lodging at the River Mucha and Kisoro Travellers Rest hotels.

NKURINGO GORILLA TREKKING SECTOR
Along with Rushaga, Ruhija, and Buhoma sector, this area is one of Bwindi’s four gorilla trekking areas.
The southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the Nkuringo sector, which is used for gorilla trekking. The renowned Nkuringo Gorilla family calls the region home. Under Rafiki’s leadership, the family is the most fascinating of all the gorilla families, and each member is remarkable.

This attracts a lot of tourists.
Nineteen members of the Bushaho Gorilla family, who crossed from Rushaga sector, have joined the Nkuringo sector gorilla family.

The first gorilla family to become habituated was the Nkuringo sector in 1997.
Nkuringo is the sole sector in the southern, impenetrable portion of Bwindi that gave birth to gorilla twins in December 2004; this was a significant milestone for the park.
It is well known that this troop of Nkuringo gorillas roams outside the park. Locals who once lived in the villages of the Nkuringo sector have been displaced as a result.

The Nkuringo gorilla family experienced a scabies infestation in the early 2000s, but it was eventually eradicated.
Because the Nkuringo Gorilla Sector is located at a high elevation, hiking through the dense forest is more difficult for visitors. The area is suggested for young people who are physically fit and active and who consistently maintain and appreciate the steep forest.

As with other habituated gorilla families, the Nkuringo Gorilla sector is adjacent to the Nshogi Gorilla family in Rushaga Gorilla Sector. Trekking with the Gorillas of Nkuringo group is permitted for a maximum of eight individuals.
Anyone under the age of 15 is not permitted to hike the mountain gorilla since the minimum age requirement for gorilla trekking is 15.

Visit the Nkuringo sector for a fantastic escape from the bustling metropolis and take in the breathtaking scenery of Kabale’s terrain, which includes views of Nyiragongo and Nyimuragira in Congo, which offer a breathtaking view of the sky. For those who came to visit, the 2010 eruption was the most enjoyable period.

access to the sector of Nkuringo.
The Kabale-Kisoro road is the route to Nkuringo. The trip can take 11–12 hours if taking a bus.
It takes roughly three hours, or 45 kilometers, to get to the junction. Although taking the route via Buhoma via Kihihi or Butogota is also an option, it is more exhausting and preferable to rent a private vehicle from a tour operator.
Nkuringo Gorilla trekking offers a number of activities incorporated apart from Gorilla trekking, i.e. Hiking, cultural interactions, and bird watching.

Birdwatching in the Nkuringo area
When it comes to seeing the stunning bird species, the Nkuringo Gorilla Sector is not to be missed. Compared to other sectors, this one offers some of the best bird-watching scenery.
As a result, individuals who appreciate birding will have the opportunity to canoe at Lake Mutanda with a wooden paddle, take in the breathtaking views of the Virunga volcanoes on the border between Rwanda and Uganda, and observe a variety of colorful bird species.

Hike in the impenetrable Nkuringo region of Bwindi
Trekking in Buhoma’s Nkuringo sector The following morning, take a nature trek through an impenetrable forest, passing through the Ivy, Kisasha, and take in the breathtaking vistas that are found there. Bird species can be seen singing in the air, while primates like monkeys and many others can be seen swinging from tree to tree. The experience in the wilderness is incredible.

Visit the locals, have lunch with them, and then continue your nature walks to the villages of Batwa and Bakiga. The Batwa were the first to live in the forest, and you will see a variety of cultural activities such as song and dance performances, a visit to the local healer who makes medicine from plants, and the creation of various art and craft items like baskets, mats, bags, sandals, and many more by talented locals.

Learn more about the Batwa pygmies’ hunting, fishing, and storytelling about their former lives.
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Budget, and Nkuringo Gorilla Camp are among the best facilities in the Nkuringo district of Bwindi; they serve delectable meals with a sweet taste.
Nkuringo is known for its breathtaking scenery, where events are held. It is said that a visit to this area would leave you with unforgettable experiences.

RUSHAGA SECTOR FOR TREKKING GORILLA

The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to the Rushaga area, which is used for gorilla trekking. Rushaga is the only area where gorillas can get habituated, and there are five gorilla families there. The nearest route to the sector is via Rwanda, which takes four hours to drive to.

Rushaga is also the greatest place to go gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It is the only place where visitors can spend four hours in the company of mountain gorillas, go on hikes like the waterfall trail, and engage in cultural activities. It’s a fantastic experience away from home.
Near the Nkuringo area is the Rushaga sector for gorilla trekking, which is home to the greatest number of gorilla families in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The finest place to see the park’s scenic sections is in the southern portion of the thick forest near Bwindi. Since there are so many options in the area, such as Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Havens Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and many more, lodges have been built there.
Rushaga is home to roughly eight gorilla families. The travel from Kigali takes no more than four hours, and gorilla permits are 800 USD cheaper than those for Rwanda, which cost 1500 USD.

The Rushaga Gorilla Sector is the ideal location for your once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Rushaga has more permits for gorilla trekking than any other area. For gorilla habituation, you could as well decide to accompany the researchers. In contrast to the gorilla trekking activity, which allows eight people to hike the gorillas but only allows one hour with the mountain gorillas, this experience with the gorillas lasts four hours and only four people are permitted.

While gorilla trekking costs only 800 USD, permits for gorilla habituation in Rushaga cost 1,500 USD.
Don’t miss the gorilla habituation experience. Only in Uganda and the Rushaga region of the park is it practiced.

Nkuringo Rushaga
The Rushaga sector of Bwindi is accessible from Entebbe airport in Uganda; the trip from Kigali airport to the Rushaga area only takes three hours.
Travelers that fly into Rwanda and trek the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda will see a number of sights. The majority of customers think flying from Rwanda to Uganda is a fantastic option.

Accommodations in the Rushaga and Nkuringo regions
In Rushaga-Nkuringo, there are a wide variety of lodging options that have grown throughout time and include luxury, moderate, and low-cost lodges.
Clouds Mountain Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, and numerous others are among the lodges.

Other lodges in the region include Mutanda Lake Resort, Bwindi Jungle Lodge Lake Mulehe, Gorilla Valley Lodge, and Bwindi Gorilla Lodge.
The town of Kisoro is home to the Travelers Rest Hotel.
Trek the trails in the Rushaga area of Bwindi Forest; they may take three hours and mix local history, culture, and wildlife.

The moderately challenging Kara Ridge Trail offers breathtaking vistas of stunning landscapes, local culture, seeing the Batwa tribe, and much more. There are a lot of different points of view in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo.
One can enjoy canoeing across Lake Mutanda and there are numerous trailheads starting and finishing at Kisoro.

Cultural Events in the Nkuringo and Rushaga Regions:
The Buniga Forest Walk with the Batwa Pygmies, who were the first inhabitants of the forest and have lived there for more than 500,000 years, is an event not to be missed.
The selection is endless and includes Village Walks, Home Visits, and interactive craft activities.
Make sure to purchase some handmade items and artwork to bring home.

Both you and the people who created it will profit from it, and their families will receive income.
Please let us know if you would want to participate in other cultural events, such as drumming, dance, jewelry making, and so on, and we will accommodate your request.
One excellent method to learn about the Batwa People, the original inhabitants of the forest, is to take the Buniga Forest Walk.