Situated in the park's northernmost section, Buhoma sector is one of the four most fantastic tracking areas in Bwindi that one shouldn't miss visiting while on a mountain gorilla tour. When it comes to mountain gorilla excursions in Uganda, this area is both the most well-known and the oldest trailhead.
In Bwindi Forest and throughout Uganda, Buhoma sector is credited as being a pioneer as far as gorilla trekking industry is consider. When Mubare gorilla family was first made available for tracking in 1993, the sector was the first to receive the first set of gorilla hikers. Rushegura, Mubare, Habinyanja, Katwe and Muyambi are the current gorilla families that have been habituated for tracking in this area.
It provides hikes to 4 groups of 8 tourists daily due of its popularity.
It is simpler to trek in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi than it is in the other three sectors because gorilla trekking there takes place at a lower altitude of 1,400 meters. The Buhoma region is a well-liked trailhead for gorilla trekking in the Bwindi forest due to the presence of good tourism infrastructures like a variety of hotels and alternative things to undertake after going in search of gorillas.
Mubare gorilla family is the first gorilla group in Uganda to have been trained and made available for tourism. On October 13, 1993, the first gorilla trekker in Bwindi saw the Mubare gorilla group in Buhoma Sector. The lovely Mubare highlands near Buhoma, where researchers first saw the group is where the name "Mubare" originates.
When the group was made available for tourism, the lead Silverback, "Ruhondeza," had a fantastic reputation with tourists hence opening the door for gorilla trekking in Uganda. He had a turbulent character with time he abruptly stepped down from his position of leadership to live alone (in a nearby human community until his death met him at the age of 50 in June 2012. He left Mubare family leadership in the hands of his surviving oldest son, “Kanyonyi.”
Later in November 2017, a once lone Silverback named "Maraya" forcibly joined the Mubare unit and killed the lead Silverback named "Kanyonyi" who was the leader. Due to injuries he acquired from an unintentional fall from a tall tree, Kanyonyi was unable to protect his family.
Only a few newborns were spared from Maraya's fury and majority of the group's disgruntled members left. Gorillas frequently kill their young, especially when rival leaders seize control of the group in a violent manner.
Six gorillas, including Maraya, three adult females, and two infants, make up the Mubare gorilla family, which is now led by Silverback Maraya. The organization is distinguished by its single male leadership.
One of the easier gorilla families to walk in the Buhoma zone is the Mubare gorilla family. Usually the family resides near the Buhoma Park administrative building. However, sometimes hikers must put in hours of exertion only to find the elusive troop. It's fantastic for trekkers who wish to avoid the long hours of trekking that typically begin at the headquarters.
In the native Rukiga language, the name "Habinyanja" translates to "near the swamps." The gorilla troop was originally spotted by researchers in Bwindi's swamp ponds hence the name.
The second gorilla family to be made accessible for gorilla trekking in Buhoma area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the Habinyanja family. It was fully opened in the year 1999. Initially made up of 30 members who were powerfully led by "Mugurusi." However, it divided into two in February 2002 to establish the Rushegura group in Buhoma Sector.
It currently has 17 members, including the dominant Silverback Makara, 4 Adult Females, 4 Blackbacks, 4 Sub-Adult Females, 3 Juveniles, and 1 Infant.
The Habinyanja group is the most unpleasant gorilla group to trek because it constantly expands its home range and colonizes new regions outside of the Buhoma sector.
The Rushegura gorilla family was split off from the parent Habiyanja family in February 2002, led by Silverback Mwirima. However, Silverback "Kabukojo" now holds a commanding position.
The name "Rushegura" is derived from the "Ebishegura" tree species, which is widely distributed in the Buhoma region where the Habinyanja family was split up.
Gorillas in this family enjoy foraging close to the Buhoma Sector Park's headquarters and visiting the neighborhood community gardens in the region of its home range. Visitors are fascinated by its unexpected visits inside their lodge, which leave them with priceless memories of breathtaking experiences with the jungle giants. It had 15 Members by December 2019.
Because trekkers just have to go a short distance to begin their gorilla family trip to Rushegura, this group is ideal for older hikers and those who are less physically fit. However, daily success in locating them closer is not guaranteed because gorilla movements in the wild bush are erratic.
The Katwe gorilla family is the fourth and one of the most recent habituated gorilla groups in the Buhoma Sector. The powerful Silverback "Mahaane" heads the group. The group's habituation process began in January 2018.
When Mubare's old lead silverback, Kanyonyi, passed away in November 2017, the gorilla family became disorganized and began to go to uncharted territory. Malaika and Kashundwe, adult females who are completely habituated Mubare family members, joined the Katwe group. This caused the Uganda Wildlife Authority to closely observe them, thus in January 2018, they undertook a second habituation process with the non-habituated members.
Katwe gorilla family group currently has eight members, including; 1 Silverback, 2 Blackbacks, 2 Adult females, 2 Sub-adults, and one infant.
The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park welcomed a new gorilla family. The new family, which was added in April 2020, was cordially welcomed by the different existing families. Muyambi was once an adult member of Mubare family, the very first group to be trekked in Bwindi, however he separated from Mubare gorilla family and established Muyambi gorilla family that further underwent habituation. It currently has 7 family members and headed by 1 silverback.
