Which sector is easy to trek the gorillas in Bwindi?

Which sector is easy to trek the gorillas in Bwindi?

Bwindi Impenetrable National is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in southwestern Uganda. It is popular as a gorilla trekking destination and is home to over 400 mountain gorillas, almost half the total population of mountain gorillas in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable is not only a home of mountain gorillas but also other wildlife species including the 12o mammal species such as chimpanzees, monkeys, baboons, elephants, buffaloes, forest antelopes, 350 bird species such as the White-headed Woodhoopoe, Black-headed Waxbill, Waller’s Starling, Red-chested Cuckoo, Black-necked Weaver, Yellow-billed Shrike, Grey-crowned Crane, Blue-spotted Wood Dove, Northern Double-collared Sunbird, Bronze Sunbird, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, 200 butterfly species and other wildlife of the park.

Are you planning a gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi? The park consists of 4 gorilla trekking regions including Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma and Nkuringo. All these four regions consist of Habituated gorilla families that are ready for gorilla trekking experiences making it a good guest experience.

In this article, we explore all four gorilla trekking regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and will help you choose the best gorilla trekking region for your Uganda Safari, getting there and away and the costs of a gorilla trekking permit.

Rushaga Gorilla Sector

Rushaga gorilla sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is a popular gorilla trekking site among all gorilla trekking regions in Bwindi consisting of over 10 habituated mountain gorillas including the Nshongi family, Mishaya family, Kahungye family, Busingye family, Bweza family, Bikingi family, Rwigi Family, Mucunguzi family and other families.

Rushaga gorilla sector is blessed with hosting both wild and habituated mountain gorillas which provides an option of gorilla habituation for visitors wishing to spend a longer time with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Rushaga gorilla sector is the only gorilla region where visitors can enjoy gorilla habituation experience and gorilla trekking adventure.

Gorilla Trekking Experience

 Visitors embark on a guided trek navigating through the impenetrable forests of Bwindi in search of the mountain gorillas. The gorilla trekking experience takes visitors to the already habituated mountain gorillas and therefore visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of 1 hour with the gorillas within a 10-meter distance as they learn their behavior, and way of life and watch them play and roam in their natural sanctuary.

Gorilla Habituation Experience

 Visitors embark on a guided trek with expert armed rangers, and researchers who know about gorilla habituation. It is important to remember that the gorilla habituation process involves introducing human beings to the presence of mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. On finding the gorillas, Visitors are allowed to spend a maximum of 4 hours with the mountain gorillas as they keep moving with them keeping a distance of 10 meters. The gorilla habituation experience is not only seen as an exceptional experience but also a way of conserving and protecting the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. The researchers will brief you on the dos and don’ts while observing and habituating the gorillas.

Buhoma Gorilla sector

While the Rushaga gorilla sector is chosen as the best gorilla trekking region because of the gorilla trekking and habituation experience, the Buhoma gorilla sector is the most accessible and easy gorilla region to trek the mountain gorillas in Bwindi because of its low altitude which is 1500 meters above the sea level and relatively flat terrain which makes it more accessible.

Buhoma Gorilla Sector is located in the northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is a pioneer of gorilla trekking adventures/safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Buhoma Gorilla sector is home to about 8 habituated gorilla families including the Mubare family, Rushengura family, Habinyanja family, Muyambi family, Binyindo family, Kanywani family, Katwe family and other families. The Mubare Family was the first gorilla family to be habituated and opened for tourism in October 1993.

Gorilla trekking in Buhoma: Gorilla trekking is done in groups of 8 pax accompanied by 2 guides to provide security and safety. Visitors go through a briefing about gorilla trekking including the rules and guidelines to follow while observing the gorillas in their natural habitat. Embark on a life-changing journey that gives you a chance to encounter the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats creating unforgettable memories.

Ruhija Gorilla Sector

Ruhija gorilla sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and is more accessible from the Kabale District or Buhoma gorilla sector. The Ruhija gorilla sector consists of about 5 habituated gorilla families including the Bitukura family, Oruzogo family, Mukiza family, Kyaguliro family and Kyaguliro B family that provide a good guest experience.

Ruhija gorilla sector is average an easy region to trek the mountain gorillas for travellers from Kigali, Kampala or Kabale district though it is sometimes hindered by the bad road during the rainy season.

Nkuringo Gorilla Sector

Nkuringo gorilla sector is located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park after Rushaga gorilla sector. The Nkuringo gorilla family is one of the amazing gorilla trekking regions with a smaller number of habituated mountain gorilla families but yet many members. The Nkuringo gorilla sector consists of 4 gorilla families including the Nkuringo family, the Muhozi gorilla family, the Bushaho family, and the Christmas gorilla family.

Gorilla trekking is regarded as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that brings beautiful memories for a traveler on a Uganda gorilla trekking safari. Embark on an adventure of a lifetime that gives you a chance to get up close with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats making it a memorable adventure.

How Much is a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Seeing the gorillas in their natural habitats requires a gorilla trekking permit which is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. A gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 for Foreign Non-residents, USD 700 for Foreign Residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. However, for travelers planning to spend more time with the gorillas for the habituation experience, a gorilla habituation permit costs USD 1500 for Foreign Non-residents, USD 1000 for Foreign Residents, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens.