Bwindi is among a few national parks where you can find the few remaining endangered mountain gorillas located just adjacent to the Virunga region. Bwindi National Park is known as a misty impenetrable forest located in southern Uganda, the pearl of Africa covering an area of 321 square kilometers. It was gazetted as a national park in 1991 and in 1994, it was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site.
There are currently four gorilla sectors in Bwindi and these include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo. Together, these comprise up to 500 gorilla individuals which is almost half of the total world’s gorilla population. Gorillas in these sectors live together with other species such as about 400 tree species, 120 mammal species, and 350 bird species including 23 Albertine rift endemics among others and these can be spotted while on a Uganda safari.
The Buhoma sector is one of the most famous and most preferred of all sectors in Bwindi National Park. It is located on the northern side of the park in Kanungu district, mainly known for its past and recent history and easy accessibility. Within just 4 4-hour drive, you can be in Buhoma from the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park and 2 2-hour drive from Kabale town via Kanungu.
Buhoma boasts of being the first gorilla sector to receive a group of visitors to take part in gorilla trekking in Uganda. In addition to hosting the oldest gorilla family, Mubare which was habituated in 1992. Trekking in the Buhoma sector is also an added advantage as visitors get involved in other activities such as community tours, and game drives in the nearby Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park among others.
The Buhoma sector comprises up to 3 gorilla families, which include Mubare the oldest, Rushegura, Habiyanja, and Katwe gorilla families. This means that there are 32 gorilla permits sold each day for this sector hence making it so demanding and competitive.
Another sector is Ruhija which is comprised of 4 gorilla families. It is located in the eastern part of the park and the current gorilla families are Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mukiza, and Kyaguriro. In addition to gorillas in this sector, Ruhija is celebrated as a place for birding and you can be able to spot all the 23 Rift Valley endemic species as well as, the second-best forest trails that will take you to the most attractive waterfalls, caves, and much more.
Nkuringo is another sector in Bwindi National Park, located in the far southern part. Like other sectors, Nkuringo has his history as the only gorilla sector to have produced twins in 2004. Nkuringo sector is located in the high-altitude region of Bwindi and this makes the trekkers hike within the misty forest as they search for gorillas. Energetic and physically fit people are mainly advised to explore this sector.
Nkuringo sector hosts 3 habituated gorilla groups, namely; Nkuringo, Christmas, and Bushaho; with the Nkuringo gorilla family being the first to be habituated in the southern part of the park in 1997. Up to 24 gorilla permits are available on an everyday basis to be purchased.
Another famous sector in Bwindi is Rushaga which comprises up to 5 gorilla families and known to be the only sector where gorilla habituation experience can take place. It’s also the closest sector as accessed from Kigali, Rwanda within just 4 hours of drive via the Kisoro border. Habituated gorilla families in the Rushaga sector are Nshongi, Kahungye, Mishaya, Kutu, Busingye, and Bweza.
As you plan your gorilla safari in Uganda, gorilla permits cost USD800 for foreign nonresidents, USD700 for foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. Whereas for gorilla habituation, it is USD 1500, USD 1000, and 750,000 UGX for foreign nonresidents, foreign residents, and East African citizens respectively.
Book a gorilla safari with us and we are ready to create memories with you but all you need to know is trekking gorillas requires a person of 15 years of age and above.
