The Buhoma gorilla sector is one of the four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that include Ruhija, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Buhoma. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern region of Uganda. The park harbors the endangered mountain gorillas. Bwindi falls under the Virunga Conservation Area that stretches from Virunga National Park in Congo, through Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks in Uganda, and then to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

This conservation area is the only place in the world to find endangered wild mountain gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks house the largest mountain gorilla population in the whole world. This is because more than half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas is found in Uganda. The Buhoma gorilla sector is the most popular in the park due to its improved infrastructure such as roads and accommodation facilities. The Buhoma gorilla sector is also the oldest sector in the Bwindi to be formed and created in 1993. The Buhoma sector is located in Kanungu district north of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Gorilla families in the Buhoma gorilla sector

Wild mountain gorillas are social animals that live in groups known as gorilla families. These families can have as many members as 20 or more individual gorillas. Each gorilla family is headed by a dominant male gorilla known as a silverback. The Buhoma gorilla sector housed the first gorilla families to be spotted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Over the years many other families came and settled in this sector as we shall be seeing below.

Mubare Gorilla Family

When it comes to age and time, Mubare takes the lion’s share for being the first gorilla family to be spotted not only in the Buhoma gorilla sector but also in the entire Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This family dates back to as far as 1993 just two years after Bwindi was established as a national park. The Mubare family has about has about 9 members including the dominant silverback Malaya. The four females include Twesiime, Karungi, Buzinza, and Nyampazi with their four infants. However, the Mubare gorilla family was first spotted with 12 members in 1993 when it was discovered. Ruhondeza the then silverback later died due to old age and Kanyonyi assumed power. Unfortunately, Kanyonyi’s regime did not last as he sustained serious injuries after he fell from a tree and hence Malaya was enthroned.

Katwe Gorilla Family

The Katwe Gorilla Family is relatively new having been recently habituated. After a period of three years of habituation, in August of 2018, it was opened for trekking. The Katwe gorilla family is also part of the Buhoma gorilla sector in Bwindi. It consists of 9 members including 1 silverback, 2 blackbacks, 4 adult females, and 2 infants.

Habinyanja Gorilla Family

This is also another gorilla family in the Buhoma gorilla sector. It is one of the largest gorilla families in Bwindi consisting of as many as 12 members. The Habinyanja family derives its name from the Rukiga local language word “Nyanja’’ which means source of water. This is because it was first sighted near a swamp pond in Bwindi in 1997 and later habituated in 1999. By the time it was first cited, it had 25 members headed by Mugurusi, and after his passing due to old age fights for power broke out in the family among the old silverbacks Rwansigazi, Mwirima, and Makara. The older silverbacks Rwansigazi and Mwirima agreed to share power until 2002 when Rwansigazi separated with 12 members maintaining the family name. His members included 2 silverbacks, 2 blackbacks, 3 adult females, 3 young female adults, and 2 juveniles.

Rushegura Gorilla Family

After the splitting of the Habinyanja family in 2002, the Rushegura gorilla family was made. It started with only 7 individual members and in 2010 the family had increased to 19 members including 2 silverbacks, 3 blackbacks, 6 adult females, 1 young adult female, 3 juveniles, and 4 infants. The Rushegura family got its name from the local language “Ebishegura” which means a tree species that was abundant in the home area of the new family. This family is considered the calmest family in Bwindi due to interaction with the villages nearby and in the forest camps.

Muyambi Gorilla Family

The Muyambi gorilla family is also part of the Buhoma gorilla sector of Bwindi. It was once part of the pioneer family the Mubare family but broke out. It is the latest gorilla family to be formed in the sector. The Muyambi gorilla family consists of only 6 members. In 2019, this family was opened to trekking.

What is the best time to visit the Buhoma gorilla sector?

The dry season is always the best time to visit the Buhoma sector for gorilla trekking. This is from the months of June to September and December to February. This is because during this season there is little or no rainfall hence making it easy to navigate the terrain in the sector. The vegetation is also very clear thus easing the visibility of the mountain gorillas.

Costs for gorilla trekking in the Buhoma gorilla sectors

The costs for gorilla trekking permits in Uganda vary from nationality to residential status. Nonresident foreigners pay USD 800, resident foreigners pay USD 700, and East African citizens and nationals pay UGX 300,000.